Out-of-hours palliative care: a qualitative study of cancer patients, carers and professionals.

ABSTRACT:

Background

New out-of-hours healthcare services in the UK are intended to offer simple, convenient access and effective triage. They may be unsatisfactory for patients with complex needs, where continuity of care is important.

Aim

To explore the experiences and perceptions of out-of-hours care of patients with advanced cancer, and with their informal and professional carers.

Design of study

Qualitative, community-based study using in-depth interviews, focus groups and telephone interviews.

Setting

Urban, semi-urban and rural communities in three areas of Scotland.

Method

Interviews with 36 patients with advanced cancer who had recently used out-of-hours services, and/or their carers, with eight focus groups with patients and carers and 50 telephone inter

SUBMITTER: Worth A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1821404 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature