RESUMO
AIM: this study was undertaken to elicit a day hospice team's experience of using the Palliative Care Outcome Scale (POS), with the intention of determining its usefulness to staff. An adapted version of POS was used for the purpose of the study. SAMPLE: a multiprofessional team of eight day hospice staff took part in the study. All had used POS on a weekly basis for a minimum period of 3 months. DESIGN: a focus group was conducted at the hospice. It was tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analysed using an interpretive phenomenological approach. RESULTS: staff felt POS had limited value as an outcome measure for use in this day hospice. Other simultaneous organizational changes at the hospice may also have influenced staff negatively. Further research is needed to explore similar implementation issues in more depth, as practice developments may be abandoned for potentially the wrong reasons.
Assuntos
Atitude do Pessoal de Saúde , Hospital Dia , Hospitais para Doentes Terminais , Avaliação de Resultados em Cuidados de Saúde/métodos , Cuidados Paliativos , Grupos Focais , Implementação de Plano de Saúde , Humanos , Cuidados Paliativos/normas , Relações Profissional-Paciente , Reino UnidoRESUMO
Outcome measures are being increasingly used in palliative care. Palliative day care is significantly different to other specialist palliative care settings, as patients may attend for much longer periods of time. The aim of this study was to elicit patients' views on using an adapted version of the Palliative Care Outcome Scale (POS) and to determine its value in identifying their individual needs. This qualitative study involved a focus group of nine patients who had used POS weekly for a minimum of 3 months. The focus group discussion was tape recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using an interpretive phenomenological approach. Participants found POS to be a useful communication tool, which helped them to identify their individual needs.