The Palliative Care Model Development for End of Life Patients, Photharam Hospital, Ratchaburi Province

Abstract

Objective: The purposes of this research were to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of the palliative care model for the end of life.

Method: Research and development methodology were employed at Photharam Hospital during October 1, 2013 - January 31, 2015. The research procedure was divided into three phases; 1) to evaluate condition and problem of the palliative care 2) to develop the palliative care model, and 3) to evaluate the effectiveness of the developed instructional model. The samples were all of 15 end of life patients, 15 caregivers and 56 multidisciplinary health care providers. Research instruments were Palliative Performance Scale version 2, Edmonton Symptom Assessment System, Provider’s practice evaluation form, Satisfaction questionnaire for caregivers and providers. Descriptive statistics and content analysis were used for data analysis.

Results: Patients received more holistic comprehensive care. The overall satisfaction of family caregivers and the providers was at high level (X = 4.13, S.D. = 0.35, and X= 4.15, S.D. = 0.36). Moreover, health care providers were able to follow 95% of the practice guideline. The developed model was clear documented. It could response to the problems and needs of the clients in holistic manner leading to the continuity of care.