Home care needs of paediatric palliative patients perceived by professionals: A grounded theory

OBJECTIVE

To explore the elements involved in the process of paediatric palliative home care in the Spanish context according to the opinion of professionals.

METHOD

Qualitative study based on Grounded Theory, adjusted to COREQ standards, using theoretical sampling with in-depth interviews (June 2021 - February 2022) with paediatricians, paediatric nurses and social workers from paediatric palliative care units in Spain, excluding professionals with less than 1 years' experience. Interviews were recorded and transcribed literally for coding and categorisation through a constant comparative process of code co-occurrence until data saturation using Atlas-Ti®. The anonymity of the informants has been guaranteed by using pseudonyms after approval by the Research Ethics Committee of the Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Doctor Negrín (Las Palmas, Canary Islands) with registration number 2021-403-1.

RESULTS

18 interviews were conducted and 990 quotes were grouped into 22 categories of analysis and structured into four thematic groups (care, environment, patient and family, and professionals). The findings showed a holistic view emphasising the need to organise and integrate the factors involved in the home-based approach to paediatric palliative home care.

CONCLUSIONS

In our context, the home environment meets appropriate conditions for the development of paediatric palliative care. The categories of analysis identified establish a starting point for further deepening the approach from the thematic areas involved: care, the environment, the patient and family, and professionals.

[Recommendations to develop Care Models for patients with Heart Failure (MAIC Project) from macromanagement]

BACKGROUND

The general objective of the study was to reflect on the key factors to advance in optimal models of care for Heart Failure (HF) and specifically, on the macromanagement elements most necessary for the development of comprehensive HF management models.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

An Advisory Committee, composed of 15 experts and a multidisciplinary group of 31 additional experts, was appointed, together forming a Delphi panel of 46 experts. Based on a systematic bibliographic review and the analysis of the care course of the patient with HF, an initial battery of key factors for the development of HF care models was identified by the Advisory Committee. This proposal was adjusted and prioritized by the Delphi panel applying Delphi Rand/UCLA methodology.

RESULTS

After two Delphi rounds, 75 key factors grouped into 7 challenges were defined. In the first of the challenges, related to the development of HF management models, 16 key factors were identified, 7 of which were valued as high priority and related to the establishment of common objectives, resources for the continuity of care and improving the measurement of health outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

The definition of management elements at the macro level was considered a priority to advance in the development of optimal models of assistance to HF.