O-31 World Health Organization Global Evaluation of Palliative Care of six countries: results in Jamaica
Author(s):
D Spence, C P Lin , K Thomas , K Segree , M Kodilinye , S Smith , K Brown , E Calvert , R Morecroft , R Harding
Year of Presentation:
2022
Objective: To measure structures, processes, outputs,
outcomes and costs for hospice palliative care services in
Jamaica.
Methods: This mixed-methods prospective cohort study recruited new patients and family caregivers with selfreport questionnaires and qualitative interview data. Descriptive analysis of baseline data is reported here using the 6-point Likert multidimensional measure of symptoms and concerns (Palliative Outcome Scale, response levels 0 to 5, higher scores indicate greater severity of symptoms/ concerns).
Results: N = 104 patients and N = 83 caregivers participated mean age (SD) 60.1 (13) majority female (66.7%) and Black-Caribbean (66%). Patients’ most burdensome symptoms on admission (i.e., scored 3–5) were pain (n = 49), poor mobility (n = 38) and weakness (n = 33) and poor appetite (n = 23) . Patients reported to have good family support (median score = 4) and reported low worry about illness (median = 2). Family caregivers reported to have adequate information (median = 3.5) and feel confident on patient care (median = 4), but still worried about the patients sometimes (N = 48, 62% reporting score 3–5).
Conclusion: Pain control remains a priority for advanced patients, and worry is a main concern for family members. Care focused on both the patient and family is crucial. Routine care must include pain assessment and management and person-centered care is a core element of good quality care for people facing the challenges of incurable illness.