Health problems encountered by dying patients receiving palliative home care until death

Frances Kam Yuet Wong*, Chun Fong Liu, Yan Szeto, Michael Sham, Tony Chan

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Many of the studies reviewing the needs of the dying patient have used specified time points rather than following the patients through the last span of their lifetime, until death. This prospective study, using clinical records and nursing anecdotes, examined the health problems encountered by dying patients receiving home care from referral to home care until death. Thirty-two subjects were recruited in the study. The clinical records were content-analyzed using the Omaha system, and the anecdotes of the nurses were used to illuminate the numerical findings. This study reveals that patients who were discharged home were living in good environmental and social conditions. The physical symptoms were generally well controlled, except for dyspnea. The psychological aspects caused the most concern to patients, families, and healthcare professionals. The severity of the psychological signs and symptoms was moderate at the time of the initial visits, but improved toward the final visits. Understanding the needs of palliative home care patients can facilitate the healthcare team to plan care to support "good dying" of these patients.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)244-251
Number of pages8
JournalCancer Nursing
Volume27
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2004
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Dying health problems
  • Holistic care
  • Home palliative care
  • Hong Kong
  • Omaha system
  • Transitional care

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Oncology(nursing)

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