Quality of Life in Palliative Care: A Literature Review
This literature review explores various facets of quality of life in palliative care, underscoring the multidimensional nature of care necessary for patients facing serious illnesses.
Literature Review : Quality of Life in Palliative Care
| Author(s) & Year | Focus Area | Key Findings | Interventions/Measures Used | Factors Affecting QoL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connor, 2009 | Palliative Care Overview | Quality of life is a central goal; emphasis on well-being. | N/A | N/A |
| Hui et al., 2014 | Multidimensional QoL | Importance of addressing psychosocial, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. | Multidimensional assessments. | Psychosocial, emotional, and spiritual dimensions |
| Gomes & Higginson, 2006 | Measuring QoL | Stress on patient-centered tools that are valid and reliable. | FACIT-PAL, EORTC QLQ, McGill QoL Questionnaire, Palliative Care Outcome Scale | Symptom burden, psychological distress, social support |
| Higginson & Costantini, 2008 | Physical Well-being | Effective management of symptoms like pain is crucial. | Pain and symptom management interventions. | Symptom burden |
| Harding et al., 2012 | Psychological and Spiritual Well-being | Addressing anxiety, depression, and spiritual well-being is essential. | Psychosocial and spiritual support interventions. | Depression, anxiety, existential concerns |
| Boston et al., 2011 | Spiritual/Existential Concerns | Existential and spiritual struggles need addressing. | Spiritual support interventions. | Existential and spiritual struggles |
| Selman et al., 2017 | Social Support and Psychosocial Support | Strong social networks and practical assistance are beneficial. | Practical and social support, counseling, support groups. | Social support, psychological distress |
| Smith et al., 2014 | Evidence on QoL Interventions | Improved pain control and symptom relief contribute to enhanced QoL. | Symptom management studies. | Symptom burden |
| Brazil et al., 2021; Hudson et al., 2010 | Family Caregivers | Family caregivers play a crucial role in enhancing QoL. | Education and training for caregivers, psychosocial support, bereavement support. | Caregiver burden, physical and emotional strain, social impacts |
Conclusion
Through a comprehensive examination of the literature, this review highlights the complex interplay of factors influencing quality of life in palliative care, reinforcing the need for holistic approaches that address both the physical and psychosocial aspects of patient care.
