Evaluating the specialist palliative care clinical nurse specialist role in an acute hospital setting: a mixed methods sequential explanatory study
Abstract Background Special palliative care is provided in a range of settings including a patient’s home (their primary place of dwelling), a hospice in-patient unit, or an acute hospital. The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of the specialist in palliative care clinical nurse specialist (...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-09-01
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| Series: | BMC Palliative Care |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-021-00834-y |
| _version_ | 1818737970511872000 |
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| author | Michael Connolly Mary Ryder Kate Frazer Eileen Furlong Teresa Plazo Escribano Philip Larkin Eileen Carruthers Eileen McGuigan |
| author_facet | Michael Connolly Mary Ryder Kate Frazer Eileen Furlong Teresa Plazo Escribano Philip Larkin Eileen Carruthers Eileen McGuigan |
| author_sort | Michael Connolly |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Special palliative care is provided in a range of settings including a patient’s home (their primary place of dwelling), a hospice in-patient unit, or an acute hospital. The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of the specialist in palliative care clinical nurse specialist (SPC CNS) role in an acute hospital setting. Methods This study was conducted using a mixed methods sequential explanatory approach in two phases; phase 1 involved completion of a study questionnaire (n = 121) and phase 2 involved part-taking in a focus group (n = 6) or individual interview (n = 4). Results Phase 1 results indicated that respondents held positive attitudes towards the Specialist Palliative Care Clinical Nurses Specialist (SPC CNS) in relation to clinical care, education and patient advocacy. Phase 2 qualitative findings identified the importance of the role in terms of symptom management, education and support. Conclusions This study provides an evaluation of a SPC CNS role since it was established in an acute hospital setting. The evidence indicates that there is a varied understanding of the role of the SPC CNS. The role was seen as an important one particularly in terms of referrals to and support provided by the SPC CNS, as well as recognition of the importance of the role is providing ongoing education to staff. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-18T01:01:30Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e1156b21d12d4f7e938c8c2f100e32d5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-684X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-18T01:01:30Z |
| publishDate | 2021-09-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Palliative Care |
| spelling | doaj.art-e1156b21d12d4f7e938c8c2f100e32d52022-12-21T21:26:21ZengBMCBMC Palliative Care1472-684X2021-09-012011910.1186/s12904-021-00834-yEvaluating the specialist palliative care clinical nurse specialist role in an acute hospital setting: a mixed methods sequential explanatory studyMichael Connolly0Mary Ryder1Kate Frazer2Eileen Furlong3Teresa Plazo Escribano4Philip Larkin5Eileen Carruthers6Eileen McGuigan7UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery &Health Systems, University College DublinUCD School of Nursing, Midwifery &Health Systems, University College DublinUCD School of Nursing, Midwifery &Health Systems, University College DublinUCD School of Nursing, Midwifery &Health Systems, University College DublinUCD School of Nursing, Midwifery &Health Systems, University College DublinPalliative and Supportive Care Service, Lausanne University Hospital and University of LausanneRegional Specialist Palliative Care Services, Louth, Meath, Cavan, and MonaghanRegional Specialist Palliative Care Services, Louth, Meath, Cavan, and MonaghanAbstract Background Special palliative care is provided in a range of settings including a patient’s home (their primary place of dwelling), a hospice in-patient unit, or an acute hospital. The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of the specialist in palliative care clinical nurse specialist (SPC CNS) role in an acute hospital setting. Methods This study was conducted using a mixed methods sequential explanatory approach in two phases; phase 1 involved completion of a study questionnaire (n = 121) and phase 2 involved part-taking in a focus group (n = 6) or individual interview (n = 4). Results Phase 1 results indicated that respondents held positive attitudes towards the Specialist Palliative Care Clinical Nurses Specialist (SPC CNS) in relation to clinical care, education and patient advocacy. Phase 2 qualitative findings identified the importance of the role in terms of symptom management, education and support. Conclusions This study provides an evaluation of a SPC CNS role since it was established in an acute hospital setting. The evidence indicates that there is a varied understanding of the role of the SPC CNS. The role was seen as an important one particularly in terms of referrals to and support provided by the SPC CNS, as well as recognition of the importance of the role is providing ongoing education to staff.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-021-00834-ySpecialist palliative careClinical nurse specialistAcute hospitalCore competencies |
| spellingShingle | Michael Connolly Mary Ryder Kate Frazer Eileen Furlong Teresa Plazo Escribano Philip Larkin Eileen Carruthers Eileen McGuigan Evaluating the specialist palliative care clinical nurse specialist role in an acute hospital setting: a mixed methods sequential explanatory study BMC Palliative Care Specialist palliative care Clinical nurse specialist Acute hospital Core competencies |
| title | Evaluating the specialist palliative care clinical nurse specialist role in an acute hospital setting: a mixed methods sequential explanatory study |
| title_full | Evaluating the specialist palliative care clinical nurse specialist role in an acute hospital setting: a mixed methods sequential explanatory study |
| title_fullStr | Evaluating the specialist palliative care clinical nurse specialist role in an acute hospital setting: a mixed methods sequential explanatory study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluating the specialist palliative care clinical nurse specialist role in an acute hospital setting: a mixed methods sequential explanatory study |
| title_short | Evaluating the specialist palliative care clinical nurse specialist role in an acute hospital setting: a mixed methods sequential explanatory study |
| title_sort | evaluating the specialist palliative care clinical nurse specialist role in an acute hospital setting a mixed methods sequential explanatory study |
| topic | Specialist palliative care Clinical nurse specialist Acute hospital Core competencies |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-021-00834-y |
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