The impact of partnership on capacity building in palliative care among rural communities: a South Australian experience

Palliative care services in Australia have continued to make significant contributions to the health and well-being of people with life-limiting conditions and their caregivers. Most recent services, predominantly community based, emphasise equipping the client to live at home for as long as possible1. There is also the focus on concerted efforts of a multi-disciplinary team in addressing the needs of clients. Embedded in the principles of palliative care is careful attention given to caregivers who often are unrecognised2,3. Palliative care recognises that caregivers also experience the various stages of dying and also require understanding and support4.

A team of researchers from the Discipline of Nursing and Rural Health, University of South Australia, Whyalla Campus, in partnership with the Eyre Regional Health Service, Jamestown Hospital and Health Service, Mid North Regional service, Northern and Far Western Regional Health Service, Wakefield Regional Health Service, and the Pika Wiya Health Service, embarked on a two-year research project to address some of the needs of rural clients and caregivers. The primary aims of our project are two-fold: to identify the specific needs of rural people with life-limiting conditions ad their caregivers and to increase access and awareness of palliative care amongst rural community members and health care professionals.

1. Aranda, SK, Hayman-White, K. Home caregivers of the person with advanced cancer an Australian perspective. Cancer Nurs 2001:24(4):300-7

2. Chan, CWH, Chang, AM. Experience of palliative home care according to caregivers’ and patients ages in Hong Kong Chinese people. Oncol Nurs Forum 2000;27(10):1601-5

3. Palliative Care Australia. Carers recognized during National Palliative Care Week. Media Release, 2004.  Palliative Care Australia website: Accessed May 29, 2004.

4. Commonwealth Department of Health and Aging. National Palliative Care strategy Canberra: Publications Production Unit, 2000.

To see the full transcript of this paper, go to:
http://nrha.ruralhealth.org.au/conferences/docs/8thNRHC/Papers/oliver_penman_ofner.pdf