South African palliative care provider perspectives on emergency medical services in palliative situations.
African Journal of Emergency Medicine · 2024-08-30 · Qualitative study
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Due to the frequent intersection of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) with palliative situations and the increasing global need for palliative care, there has been increased recognition of the need for palliative care integration with EMS. However, EMS and palliative care systems remain segregated in many Low-to-Middle Income Country contexts, as in South Africa (SA). The aim of this study was to gather perspectives of palliative care providers in SA concerning EMS in palliative situations. METHODS: A qualitative design employing individual semi-structured interviews was implemented. Ten interviews with experienced doctors and nurses holding post-graduate palliative medicine qualifications were conducted. Verbatim transcriptions of interviews were subjected to content analysis with an inductive-dominant approach to develop codes and categories. RESULTS: Four categories were developed: (1) Disposition towards EMS, (2) Perceived EMS challenges, (3) Positive EMS impact across patients' palliative care journeys and (4) Methods of EMS and palliative care system integration. Participants maintained an overall positive view of EMS and palliative care integration, noting the beneficial impact of EMS and suggesting various methods of integration, while also highlighting challenges and concerns. CONCLUSION: EMS and palliative care integration would be mutually beneficial to both systems while benefiting patient well-being and the broader healthcare system. Potentially low-cost, high-impact interventions suggested by participants, such as palliative care cards for patients and enhancing EMS and palliative care system communication, represent efficacious and judicious use of limited resources within the SA context. Pilot studies investigating these suggestions should be conducted.
Abstract © the authors or publisher, via PubMed. Reuse and removal
Tags
Ambulance & prehospital nurses · Clinician perspective · Communication & handover · Low- and middle-income settings · Older adults · Prehospital physicians
Related articles
- Approaching the End of Their Lives Under Blue Lights and Sirens - Scoping Review. (J Pain Symptom Manage, 2021)
- Balancing care needs - a qualitative study on prehospital emergency nurses' experiences of providing self-care advice and home referrals for frail older patients. (BMC Emerg Med, 2025)
- Experience of using video support by prehospital emergency care physician in ambulance care - an interview study with prehospital emergency nurses in Sweden. (BMC Emerg Med, 2021)
- Engagement under difficult conditions: Caring for patients with acute abdominal pain across the acute-care chain: A qualitative study. (Int Emerg Nurs, 2020)
- Breaking Down Silos: Consensus-Based Recommendations for Improved Content, Structure, and Accessibility of Advance Directives in Emergency and Out-of-Hospital Settings. (J Palliat Med, 2020)
- Challenges Faced by Prehospital Emergency Physicians Providing Emergency Care to Patients with Advanced Incurable Diseases. (Emerg Med Int, 2019)