South African paramedic perspectives on prehospital palliative care.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Palliative care is typically performed in-hospital. However, Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers are uniquely positioned to deliver early palliative care as they are often the first point of medical contact. The aim of this study was to gather the perspectives of advanced life support (ALS) providers within the South African private EMS sector regarding pre-hospital palliative care in terms of its importance, feasibility and barriers to its practice.

Methods

A qualitative study design employing semi-structured one-on-one interviews was used. Six interviews with experienced, higher education qualified, South African ALS providers were conducted. Content analysis, with an inductive-dominant approach, was performed to identify categories within verbatim transcr

SUBMITTER: Gage CH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7545550 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature