Rehabilitation and specialist palliative care

Abstract

Enabling individuals to achieve their maximum potential and quality of life following a diagnosis of advanced cancer, has long been a stated aim of palliative care. Increased life expectancy and the introduction of specialist palliative care to patients at an earlier stage of their illness presents professionals in the specialty with new challenges in meeting the need for rehabilitative care. This article examines some of the recent developments affecting the provision of rehabilitative care and describes one specialist palliative care unit's response to the challenge, highlighting the role of a nurse-led clinic within the service framework.

Does a social model of hospice day care affect advanced cancer patients’ use of other health and social services? A prospective quasi-experimental trial

“…Thus, the lack of effect in our non-randomized study is especially important, as it suggests that a randomized study also would not find a difference. Our findings support the proposal of Hopkins and Tookman of a move away from the social model of HDC to a more therapy-based model [26]. Against this largely negative result, we should weigh the findings that a few patients in the before group and in the standard group chose to attend HDC-an action that suggests that they value the service.…”

Occupational therapy intervention with patients with breast cancer: a survey

“…While patients are living longer and professionals are becoming increasingly aware of the issues of ‘survivorship’ (Hunter 1998; Hopkins & Tookman 2000) it appears ever more important to adapt the service to the needs of patients in coping with the long‐term effects both physical and psychological. OTs draw on their ‘psychological’ and supportive skills as well as a practical problem solving approach to look at ways of managing change.…”

End-of-Life Care: Lessons from Other Nations

“…[46][47][48] There is also a growing emphasis on providing rehabilitation in hospices and palliative care services. 49 However, in the U.K. the primary focus of much palliative care is cancer. This is especially true for in-patient hospices and voluntarily organised home care teams, where 95% of those patients seen have cancer.…”