The Role of Quality of Life in Palliative Care

Palliative care is essential in relieving the symptoms or the problems which can cause other diseases. The treatment of diseases has well-established designs necessary for their cure and control in case their cure cannot be found. The essence of this palliative care is to focus on the need to provide essential comfort and the quality of life at any stage of disease affecting the patients. Some of the health care professionals can consider the practice of palliative care for the sake of nearing the end of life. Primarily this is because, over the past methods of health care, the role of palliative care only had a focus on the hospice care as well as meeting those who are about to die while it now even includes caring for people at all the available stages of life illnesses. The provision of quality of life for patients is essential in their management other than merely providing the medical aspects of the house.

The practice of quality life in palliative care is essential in managing the patients within health care institutions. The objective of this practice entails the ability to focus on hospice care which can improve the quality of life.  The essence is to assist in reducing, preventing, treating as well as removing the discomfort. Besides, it seeks to bring the patients level of satisfaction which can assist in the improvement. The essence of this study is to help in identifying the aspects of quality of life that are essential in regards to palliative care patient’s coverage,  aiding and validating the availability of the tools used within the hospital. There is a lack of proper awareness of the proliferation of instruments which purports to measure the quality of life in palliative care (Krug, Miksch, Peters-Klimm, Engeser, & Szecsenyi, 2016). Additionally, no instrument has been comprehensively captured to salient the aspects of quality of life given the perspectives of people who have a life-limiting illness. Primarily it is driven by the need in the absence of universal accepted definition which recognizes the quality of life in a historical development through the concept across some disciplines. The additional disciplines such as existential aspects such as dignity which is missing in most of the research institutes of quality of life.

The literature review was conducted and reported by the preferred recommendations stating the items for meta-analysis statements and systematic reviews. Firstly, the search strategy and selection criteria used a comprehensive search of the literature from various database inceptions such as PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO. The relevance of these databases was to assist in identifying required published studies which meet the priority of inclusion criteria (McCaffrey, Bradley, Ratcliffe, & Currow, 2016). The strategy of the search was also informed of the publishment of qualitative research filters to determine the palliative care quality of life topic. The original word that could be used consisted of quality of life, qualitative, quantitative the quality of dying among others. The quality assessment describes the process of evaluating the quality of studies in the evidence found in a qualitative synthesis which may have remained controversial. Notably, there is a comprehensive concept of criteria to determine the possible quality assessment and also lack of consensus which regards what needs to be applied to address the quality assurance. The level of inadequate reporting capabilities often hampers the critical appraisal for the qualitative research. The judgments regarding the conducts, trustworthy and methodology can be made with adequate reporting of various studies (McCaffrey, Bradley, Ratcliffe, & Currow, 2016). On the other hand, if the aspect is not reported assumptions can be made on the need to work on quality assessments.

The data analysis and extraction will have different study characteristics which are obtainable from the publication date, sample size, living arrangements, types of analysis and methods of collecting data. The use of themes and findings from the studies would be used to support the data which is analyzed using the framework synthesis which identifies the quality of life regarding palliative care (Balboni, Paulk, Balboni, Phelps, Loggers, Wright, & Prigerson, 2010). The secondary thematic analysis will also establish the use of relevant, data which can be translatable into the preexisting themes, and their patterns being in a compared major study with characteristics of exploratory analysis. The relevant information can be obtained from the article The Influence Of Palliative Care On Quality Of Life In Patients With Lung Cthe cancer by Delibegovic et al. the objective of this research is to study the factors which determine the influence of palliative care based on the quality of life for the case of lung cancer patients.  The attributes and parameters of life which are established consist of emotional physical and general elements which are tested in patients situated in the department of the palliative care.  Further, physical health is identified through the understanding of physical limitations, functions pin and the general health of the patient (Delibegovic, Sinanovic, Galic, Sabic, & Sabic, 2016). The report of the result is made to determine the difference experienced between the development of quality life for the palliative care in the institution.

The summary of the findings from the research studies reports essential aspects which should be put into consideration while taking care of the patients. The identified quality of life consists of the emotional, physical, cognitive, personal autonomy and preparatory framework synthesis. Further, the analysis indicates the values, attitudes characteristics and personal qualities which can influence the possible aspects of quality of life. The emotional elements express how an individual can play their role to uphold anxiety, sadness, fear, guilt happiness and even depression. The focus is to ensure or emphasize on the essential positive track to keep up the spirit and get things done in the right way. Besides, it vital to find the quality of love rather than feeling upset and not wanting to do things which interest an individual. Additionally, the physical aspects entail the commandment of individuals on different studies to achieve quality health. There are factors which should be put into considerations under the physical elements. These consist of the ability to get adequate control of symptoms. Moreover, patients always appreciate the impact of having a continues strength to perform certain activities that are enjoyable. The rejection of negativity is the ideal element which should be encouraged to ensure that patients can have well-controlled symptoms which can facilitate engagement with other activities.  The cognitive aspect determined to describe the perception of being mentally alert (Krug, Miksch, Peters-Klimm, Engeser, & Szecsenyi, 2016). Additionally, it also entails the ability to have or read and even watch entertainments activities which contribute to the quality of life. Some of the patient’s reports fear which would be harmful and can affect their health. The understanding of personal anatomy determines the facets such as developing control and having a choice. For instance, choosing decisions on treatment as well as other daily activities on a palliative care unit can give a patient the feeling of controlling and empowerment. Maintaining independence assist in contributing to the sense of normalcy while the loss of autonomy causes lack of dignity and feelings of frustration. Lastly, the preparatory aspects consist of elements such as handling tasks over to members of the family to say goodbye to friends. The essence of this assist in resolving any outstanding issue since the participants need to make plans in assisting others after their death.

In the article The Influence Of Palliative Care On Quality Of Life In Patients With Lung Cancer by Delibegovic et al. the apparent result is describing this aspect on patients with lung cancer. The primary focus is to assist the department of palliative care to improve the general element of quality significantly. The evolution of evidence can seek out of the two-week treatment trail case study where the patients have shown a change in the physical development with a change in total mental health (Delibegovic, Sinanovic, Galic, Sabic, & Sabic, 2016). The essence of this is because the pain in lung cancer can cause a situation where there is no control over anything which happens around the patients. Therefore a change in these activities illustrates an evolution in the effective difference to ensure total quality of life in palliative care.

On the other hand, the Correlation between patient quality of life in palliative care and the burden of their family caregivers discusses the essence of social and preparatory aspects which explains the role played by the family as caregivers. The understanding of interdependencies through the constellation of the patient is the essential service which a patient can always require. Therefore, the evidence improvement on quality of life has concerns on the need to understand the depression feeling and anxiety which is impacted on the perceived burden of the family caregivers (Krug, Miksch, Peters-Klimm, Engeser, & Szecsenyi, 2016). Patients should factor in the element of regular assessment on caregiver burned. Lack of the provision or support from the family members of the patient would cause an overall low quality of life. Interestingly, this would also, in turn, lead the lower physical functioning of the patient. However, a total involvement of caregiver burden, the essence of fatigue and pain which may bother patients can systematically reduce.

The findings from the studies selected describe the need to improve the quality of life in palliative care unit within the health care system.  According to Delibegovic et al., the research conducted with advanced cancer patients tested and measured individuals after two weeks. The measurement of quality of life significantly assists in improving the mental and physical conditions of the patients along with the possibility to rehabilitate the disease symptoms. Further, as noted, lung cancer causes a lot of pain and suffering to the patients leading to a situation which requires help. However, specific organizations of health care systems do not have adequate assistance to the family and patients. Therefore, development and adopting policies which encourage emotional aspects, physical and cognitive capabilities should be put into consideration. The essence of this is because they assist in optimizing and improving the quality of life in palliative care. On the other hand, according to Krug et al., the sample of the study had the objective to understand the caregiving burden in promoting the quality of life in palliative care. Notably, it was evident that the patient cared for at home illustrated two factors.  The decrease in emotional functioning and increase in dyspnoea was experienced (Krug, Miksch, Peters-Klimm, Engeser, & Szecsenyi, 2016). As a result, this increased the impact on the burden on family caregivers. For instance, when patients are depressed and tensed to the end of life, the corresponding effect takes place to be a burden of family caregivers.

The recommendation can be made on the general practice groups which are involved in the home care to assess the caregiver burden regularly. The essence of this would improve the need for support of caregivers to the patients where the aspects of emotional functions can be determined. The management of symptoms through the development of early interventions and the provision of information of support to caregivers and the patient should also be put into consideration. The practical way of reducing caregiver burden does not only need interventions but also in managing the symptoms of the patients. The importance of this aspect is to assist in determining the possible measures to approach the needs that can support caregivers of family members to ensure good quality of life for patients. These studies have described the need to adjust the provision of care to assist patients to recover well. Therefore, the necessity to develop and open specialized institutions should be prioritized to ensure advanced treatment and care for cancer patients. The essence of this is because there is a rise in individuals who are becoming sick are require such attention to improve their quality life.

Appendix

Krug, K., Miksch, A., Peters-Klimm, F., Engeser, P. and Szecsenyi, J., 2016. Correlation between patient quality of life in palliative care and the burden of their family caregivers: a prospective observational cohort study. BMC palliative care, 15(1), p.4.

Delibegovic, A., Sinanovic, O., Galic, G., Sabic, A., & Sabic, D. (2016). The influence of palliative care on quality of life in patients with lung cancer. Material socio-media, 28(6), 420.

Currency

2016

2016

Study findings

Patients reported quality of life improvement.

There was a significant improvement in the quality of life after determining necessary actions to implement.

Strength of study

Evaluation of primary care of patients was conducted to determine QoL for six months. Regression analysis was done to investigate caregiver change of burden.

A study group of participants was evaluated to determine symptomatic treatment. The diagnosis was made since the patients had lung cancer.

Relevance to objective

The article answers the goals by determining possibilities of improving the quality of life in palliative care

The article responds to the objectives by establishing options for improving the quality of life in palliative care

Reliability

The repeat of trials can yield the same result under a variance of 19.3%  with similar participants enrolled.

The statistically significant improvement improved to a margin of (p<0.0001) in the department.

Benefits

Present the need to understand the relationship between a patient and caregiver burden which can improve the quality of life.

The study assists in understanding the general aspects of quality of life in lung cancer patients.

Feasibility associated with information

This information can be implemented by ensuring the requirement of the professional health care providers to assess the needs of both the burden of caregivers and patients.

The implementation of the information can be useful in the management and treatment of patients with lung cancer in palliative care

Conclusions

The findings from the studies describe the need to improve the quality of life in palliative care unit within the health care system through the use of various measures. The moderation of caregiver burden and factors influencing palliative care are vital to be put into consideration by health institutions.

References

Balboni, T. A., Paulk, M. E., Balboni, M. J., Phelps, A. C., Loggers, E. T., Wright, A. A., ... & Prigerson, H. G. (2010). Provision of spiritual care to patients with advanced cancer: associations with medical care and quality of life near death. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 28(3), 445.

Delibegovic, A., Sinanovic, O., Galic, G., Sabic, A., & Sabic, D. (2016). The influence of palliative care on quality of life in patients with lung cancer. Material socio-media, 28(6), 420.

Krug, K., Miksch, A., Peters-Klimm, F., Engeser, P., & Szecsenyi, J. (2016). Correlation between patient quality of life in palliative care and the burden of their family caregivers: a prospective observational cohort study. BMC palliative care, 15(1), 4.

McCaffrey, N., Bradley, S., Ratcliffe, J., & Currow, D. C. (2016). What aspects of quality of life are important from palliative care patients’ perspectives? A systematic review of qualitative research. Journal of pain and symptom management, 52(2), 318-328.