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Palliative care at home: Carers and medication management

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 November 2008

Barbara A. Anderson  and
Debbie Kralik
Barbara A. Anderson*
Affiliation:
Research Unit, Royal District Nursing Service of SA, Inc., Adelaide, Australia Quality Use of Medicines and Pharmacy Research Centre, Sansom Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
Debbie Kralik
Affiliation:
Research Unit, Royal District Nursing Service of SA, Inc., Adelaide, Australia School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Barbara Anderson, Research Unit, Royal District Nursing Service of SA, Inc., PO Box 247, Glenside, SA 5065, Australia. Email: barbara.anderson@rdns.org.au
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Abstract

Objective:

The decision to receive palliative care at home brings with it the complexity of managing a medication regime. Effective symptom control is often directly linked to medication management and relies on access to medications at all times. In home-based palliative care practice, polypropylene syringes of medications may be drawn up and left in clients' domestic refrigerators for subcutaneous administration by carers to provide immediate relief for symptoms such as pain and nausea. However, although there has been some discussion in the literature about the need for ready access to medications for symptom control of clients receiving care in the community, the feasibility of this practice has received scant attention. The aim of this article is to present the carers' experiences of administering medications in this manner.

Methods:

Semistructured interviews with 14 carers, who were administering medication in a home-based palliative care setting, were analyzed using qualitative methods to develop meaning units and themes.

Results:

Interviews revealed that this practice was highly valued. The carers willingly assumed the responsibility of medication administration, as it allowed the clients to remain at home where they desired to be. They could provide immediate symptom relief, which was of utmost importance to both the client and carer. The carers were empowered in their caring role, being able to participate in the care provided, rather than standing on the sidelines as helpless observers. Carers acknowledged the security and ethical issues associated with the presence of certain medications in the home and valued the 24-h telephone support that was available to them. After clients had died, the carers reflected on their involvement in care and felt a sense of pride and achievement from administering medications in this way because they had been able to care for their loved ones at home and fulfill their wish to die there.

Significance of results:

These interviews confirm the feasibility of this practice, which is a component of quality end-of-life care.

Keywords

Palliative careMedication administrationSubcutaneousCommunity care
Type
Original Articles
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 6 , Issue 4 , December 2008 , pp. 349 - 356
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2008

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