Authors
  • Janet Taylor1,
  • Karen Glaetzer2,
  • Karen Puvogel3,
  • Patricia M Davidson4
Organisations
  • Department of Health1,
  • Southern Adelaide Palliative Services2,
  • Modbury Hospital3,
  • Curtin University of Technology4
Year

2010

Excerpt

Palliative care in non-malignant conditions is an increasing issue for palliative care services. A structured, strategic workshop, including a six month follow-up workshop, was undertaken to not only provide information concerning palliative care but also explore challenges and develop strategies to promote a closer working relationship between palliative care and chronic disease nurse specialists (CDNS).

Methods

Participants were invited from chronic disease networks and specialist palliative care services. The workshop sought not only to provide information but also explore issues through case studies. We evaluated participant's responses to the workshop and undertook extensive note taking of the factors that promote and hinder delivering a palliative approach. Nationally, validated pre and post workshop questionnaires were used to elicit participants' responses. Notes regarding discussions and collaborative problem solving sessions and analysed for recurrent issues and themes.

Results

A strong commitment between chronic disease and specialist palliative care providers was evident to build sustainable and viable networks and models of care. 35 participants (80%) evaluated the workshop favorably. 100%agreement that the workshop met their needs and was appropriate in meeting the objectives. Discussion elucidated generic workforce and resource issues facing both palliative care and chronic disease services. Key strategies to facilitate collaboration included the introduction of multidisciplinary team networks, clinical pathways and collaboration between clinical networks.

Conclusion

This structured, strategic workshop has promoted the mutual understanding of the challenges faced by nurses in the delivery of end of life care and the potential to negotiate collaborative solutions. This model has succeeded in the development of a regional interagency meeting to consider complex chronic disease issues in order to promote optimal end-of-life care for people with non-malignant conditions.