Palliative Care of Phibun Mangsahan District, Ubon Ratchathani Province

Abstract

The objective of this evaluation research was to study the situation and effects of palliative care at Phibun Mangsahan district, Ubon Ratchathani province. This evaluation research used CIPP Model such as context, input, process and output. The primary target group of the study consisted of 38 caregivers and a multidisciplinary team of 12 people. The research instruments were 1) general information form of caregiver and relatives, 2) medical record examination form, 3) satisfaction assessment form and 4) group discussion form. Data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, and content analyses.

Results of the situation and problems care of end-of-life patients revealed that 73.68 percent had advanced cancers, 71.05 percent lived with their family, 86.84 percent died at home  and 13.16 percent died in the hospital. The problems regarding caring for end-of-life patients were lacking of knowledge and skills in caring for patients with complications among the relatives. The results of the development the patient care were as follows: 1) trainings to develop knowledge and skills for patients' relatives, 2) supporting equipment for continuing care, 3) developing a patient referral system from the Smart COC program, 4) having rapid consulting services and 5) delivering of pharmaceutical palliative care. The evaluating results of model  found that 86.84 percent had family meetings and advance care planning, 73.68 percent of the patients used strong opioids for the management of moderate to severe pain, 92.11 percent used Thai traditional medicine, and 92.11 percent had palliative care at home. Caregivers’ satisfaction with the palliative care was at a very high level.