Bereaved carers' experiences of a partnership model of after-hours and extended palliative care delivery in rural Australia

Abstract

Background: Caregivers are fundamental to achieving effective home-based palliative care. Lack of access to after-hours visiting palliative care and non-clinical home support in rural areas increases caregiver burden, unplanned hospital admissions and impacts patients' ability to die at home. To support end-of-life care at home, the New South Wales Government endorsed partnership models between specialist community-based palliative services and non-government organisations to provide end of life support packages to enhance after-hours access and non-clinical support.

Aim: To explore bereaved rural carers' experiences of supporting dying at home within this model.

Method: Bereaved carers accessing lend of life support packages were purposively recruited. A total of 10 semi-structured interviews were conducted. Data was thematically analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis. The COnsolidated criteria for REporting Qualitative research (COREQ) framework guided study reporting.

Findings: Collaboration, after-hours visiting access and extended non-clinical support facilitated end-of-life care at the patient's home. Participants of the study had a positive experience of this partnership.

Conclusion: This integrative model addressed existing service gaps, maximised carer support and facilitated home deaths. Further public policy, funding and research is needed to support integrated rural palliative care models.