A nurse practitioner-led community palliative care service in Australia

Int J Palliat Nurs. 2019 May 2;25(5):245-253. doi: 10.12968/ijpn.2019.25.5.245.

Abstract

Background: Patients want community-based palliative care, but there was no continuity of care for patients at the Sydney Adventist Hospital to receive palliative and end-of-life care within a community setting. A nurse practitioner (NP)-led community palliative care service was developed.

Aims: To present the background, design, function, and essential elements of the Sydney Adventist Hospital Community Palliative Care Service (SanCPCS).

Methods: Semi-structured and cyclical discussions with key informants alongside internal document reviews.

Findings: This is the first description of an NP-led community palliative care service model. The NP role ensured specialist training and extended clinical practice within the community setting. The SanCPCS delivers accessible, continuous, community-based palliative care throughout the patient's palliative and end-of-life journey.

Conclusion: NP-led models for palliative and end-of-life care in the outpatient or community setting are a logical direction to meet patient need.

Keywords: Australia; Community; Model; Nurse practitioner; Palliative care.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Australia
  • Community Health Centers / organization & administration*
  • Community Health Services / organization & administration*
  • Female
  • Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nurse Practitioners / psychology*
  • Nurse's Role / psychology*
  • Practice Patterns, Nurses' / organization & administration*
  • Terminal Care / organization & administration*