Using a supportive care framework to understand and improve palliative care among cancer patients in Africa

Abstract

Our review findings add to the existing body of knowledge demonstrating that palliative care patients with cancer in Africa experience disturbing care needs in all domains of the supportive care framework. To better assess and address these needs, holistic palliative care that is multidomain and multi-professional could be utilized. This approach needs to be individualized and to offer better access to services and information. In addition, research, education, and policies around palliative care for cancer patients in Africa could be more comprehensive if they were based on the domains of the supportive care framework.

Perceptions and types of support coming from families caring for patients suffering from advanced illness in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

“…Symptoms and signs of complications related to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) were the most commonly referred to in the present study. Such results confirm the observations of previous studies carried out in Sub-Saharan Africa (4,(40)(41)(42). The epidemiological transition may partly explain such trend.…”

“…Investigations carried out in Africa among patients suffering from advanced illness highlight the lack of palliative care as well as the significant increase of non-transmissible chronic diseases. In addition, mismatches between request and accessibility to care have been reported (4,5). As a result, families and community agents are among the main actors (1) for palliative care, providing support to patients with advanced illness.…”

Factors Affecting Palliative Care Development in Africa: In-Country Experts' Perceptions in Seven Countries

“…Some factors reflected themes previously mentioned in the literature, such as importance of CHWs, 2 challenges in funding, 7,18,24 and knowledge deficits. 9,20 HIV has played a crucial role in PC development in Africa through international funding, contributing to genuine need on the continent, 19 and South Africa, particularly, benefited greatly from this aid with tremendous growth in PC service delivery. However, as HIV/ AIDS transitioned to a chronic condition, it became evident that PC was overly dependent on HIV-specific funding with insufficient replacement funds to accommodate a chronic disease model of service provision for HIV and other noncommunicable diseases.…”

“…Participants highlighted the lack of knowledge of PC among both health care professionals and the public, emphasizing what has been shown in the literature. 9,20 Among health care professionals, there was a reported misunderstanding of what PC is and, sometimes, a complete lack of knowledge about it, resulting in few PC referrals and low levels of morphine prescription, one of the most fundamental aspects of the approach (Appendix, Part B).…”

Qualitative Analysis of Palliative Care for Pediatric Patients With Cancer at Bugando Medical Center: An Evaluation of Barriers to Providing End-of-Life Care in a Resource-Limited Setting

“…In addition, the strong faith background found among staff and caregivers could serve as a source of comfort and resilience, which are needed to continually provide palliative care in settings such as BMC, where end-of-life needs can be overwhelming. 31 , 32 …”