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Identification and characteristics of patients with palliative care needs in Brazilian primary care.
- Source :
-
BMC palliative care [BMC Palliat Care] 2016 Jun 01; Vol. 15, pp. 51. Date of Electronic Publication: 2016 Jun 01. - Publication Year :
- 2016
-
Abstract
- Background: The Brazilian healthcare system offers universal coverage but lacks information about how patients with PC needs are serviced by its primary care program, Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF).<br />Methods: Cross-sectional study in community settings. Patients in ESF program were screened using a Palliative Care Screening Tool (PCST). Included patients were assessed with Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS), Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) and Palliative Care Outcome Scale (POS).<br />Results: Patients with PC needs are accessing the ESF program regardless of there being no specific PC support provided. From 238 patients identified, 73 (43 women, 30 men) were identified as having a need for PC, and the mean age was 77.18 (95 % Confidence Interval = ±2,78) years, with non-malignant neurologic conditions, such as dementia and cerebrovascular diseases, being the most common (53 % of all patients). Chronic conditions (2 or more years) were found in 70 % of these patients, with 71 % scoring 50 or less points in the KPS. Overall symptom intensity was low, with the exception of some cases with moderate and high score, and POS average score was 14.16 points (minimum = 4; maximum = 28). Most patients received medication and professional support through the primary care units, but limitations of services were identified, including lack of home visits and limited multi-professional approaches.<br />Conclusion: Patients with PC needs were identified in ESF program. Basic health care support is provided but there is a lack of attention to some specific needs. PC policies and professional training should be implemented to improve this area.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Age Distribution
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Anxiety epidemiology
Brazil
Cross-Sectional Studies
Depression epidemiology
Female
Humans
Karnofsky Performance Status
Male
Middle Aged
Mobility Limitation
National Health Programs organization & administration
National Health Programs statistics & numerical data
Needs Assessment
Pain epidemiology
Patient Comfort organization & administration
Patient Comfort statistics & numerical data
Patient Education as Topic organization & administration
Sex Distribution
Socioeconomic Factors
Time Factors
Palliative Care organization & administration
Palliative Care statistics & numerical data
Primary Health Care organization & administration
Primary Health Care statistics & numerical data
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1472-684X
- Volume :
- 15
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- BMC palliative care
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 27251335
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-016-0125-4