RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Family carer support in home and hospital: a cross-sectional survey of specialised palliative care
JF BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care
JO BMJ Support Palliat Care
FD British Medical Journal Publishing Group
SP e33
OP e33
DO 10.1136/bmjspcare-2019-001795
VO 10
IS 4
A1 Maarten Vermorgen
A1 Aline De Vleminck
A1 Kathleen Leemans
A1 Lieve Van den Block
A1 Chantal Van Audenhove
A1 Luc Deliens
A1 Joachim Cohen
YR 2020
UL http://spcare.bmj.com/content/10/4/e33.abstract
AB Objectives To evaluate: (1) to what extent family carers of people supported by specialised palliative care services felt they had been provided with information, support and aftercare and (2) how this varied by type of palliative care service, length of enrolment and characteristics of deceased.Methods A cross-sectional postal survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire with nine items on information, support and aftercare provided by specialised palliative care services to family carers. Flemish family carers of people who had made use of specialised palliative care services at home or in hospital were contacted.Results Of all primary family carers (response rate of 53.5% resulting in n=1504), 77.7% indicated they were asked frequently by professionals how they were feeling. Around 75% indicated they had been informed about specific end-of-life topics and around 90% felt sufficiently supported before and immediately after the death. Family carers of people who had died in a palliative care unit, compared with other types of specialised palliative care services, indicated having received more information, support and aftercare.Conclusions Family carers evaluate the professional assistance provided more positively when death occurred in a palliative care unit. Policy changes might be needed to reach the same level of care across all specialised palliative care services.