Patient, nursing and medical staff experiences and perceptions of the care of people with palliative esophagogastric cancer: a systematic review of the qualitative evidence

Abstract

(2016) Patient, nursing and medical staff experiences and perceptions of the care of people with palliative esophagogastric cancer. JBI Executive summary Background Esophago-gastric cancer is the fifth most common malignancy and its incidence is increasing. The disease is fast paced and five year survival rates are poor. Treatment with palliative intent is provided for the majority of patients but there remains a lack of empirical evidence into the most effective service models to support esophago-gastric cancer patients. Objectives The overall objective of this systematic review was to synthesize the best available evidence on the experiences and perceptions of patients and health professionals with regard to the care of people diagnosed with palliative esophago-gastric cancer. Inclusion Criteria Types of participants This review considered studies that included patients diagnosed with palliative esophago-gastric cancer and any health professionals involved in the delivery of palliative care to this patient group in a hospital, home or community setting. Phenomena of interest Studies that investigated the experience and perceptions of people diagnosed with palliative esophago-gastric cancer, and staff working with these people were considered. Context Studies that were carried out in any setting, including in-patient and outpatient areas, specialist cancer and non-specialist palliative care services and any patient in receipt or with experience of palliative care services were considered. All types of health practitioners delivering palliative care to esophago-gastric cancer patients were considered. Types of studies Studies that focussed on qualitative data including, but not limited to, designs such as phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, action research, feminist research and narrative approaches were considered. Mixed methods studies were considered in the review only if qualitative findings were reported separately. A three step search strategy was utilised. Eleven databases were searched for papers from 2000 onwards, followed by hand searching of reference lists. Methodological quality Methodological quality was assessed using the Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument critical appraisal tool (JBI-QARI) developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. Data extraction Qualitative findings were extracted using the Joanna Briggs Institute-Qualitative Assessment and Review data extraction Instrument (JBI-QARI). Data synthesis Qualitative research findings were pooled using a pragmatic meta-aggregative approach. Results This review included two publications. There were 46 findings which were aggregated into four categories and one overall synthesized finding: In addition to support for physical needs, patients needed support taking into account changing life situations to achieve the best quality of life. Conclusions This review shows that patients value services and support that addresses their complex, fluctuating and highly individual needs. No evidence was uncovered regarding how these services shou...

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