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Optimizing geriatric palliative care in Egypt: Comprehensive patient and family perspectives

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2024

Ateya Megahed Ibrahim Open the ORCID record for Ateya Megahed Ibrahim [Opens in a new window] ,
Donia Elsaid Fathi Zaghamir ,
Hosny Maher Sultan Sultan ,
Fatma Magdi Ibrahim  and
Hassanat Ramadan Abdel-Aziz
Ateya Megahed Ibrahim*
Affiliation:
Nursing College, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia Family and Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Port Said University, Port Said, Egypt
Donia Elsaid Fathi Zaghamir
Affiliation:
Nursing College, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia Lecturer of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Port Said University, Port Said, Egypt
Hosny Maher Sultan Sultan
Affiliation:
Pediatric Nursing Department, College of Nursing, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, UAE
Fatma Magdi Ibrahim
Affiliation:
Geriatric Nursing, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt Community Health Nursing, RAK Medical and Health Sciences University, RAS Al-Khaimah, UAE
Hassanat Ramadan Abdel-Aziz
Affiliation:
Nursing College, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia Gerontological Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
*
Corresponding author: Ateya Megahed Ibrahim; Email: ateyamegahed@yahoo.com
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Abstract

Objectives

In Egypt, palliative care for geriatric patients is understudied, necessitating exploration for service optimization. Amidst rising chronic illnesses and aging, understanding perspectives of geriatric patients and families is crucial for targeted improvements. This study aims to explore geriatric patients’ and their families’ perspectives on palliative care in Egypt, seeking opportunities to optimize service delivery for the elderly.

Methods

Employing a cross-sectional design with 110 geriatric patients and an equal number of family caregivers from the Damietta Oncology Institute and the pain treatment clinics for cancer patients at Zagazig University Hospital, the study focuses on a specialized pain clinic. Validated tools (Palliative Care Outcome Scale, Family Satisfaction with End-of-Life Care [FAMCARE] Scale, Edmonton Symptom Assessment System [ESAS], Caregiver Strain Index [CSI]) assess quality of life, family satisfaction, symptom severity, and caregiver strain.

Results

Geriatric patients (mean age: 65.0 ± 8.1 years; 45.5% male, 55.5% female) have diverse diagnoses (e.g., breast cancer 22%). Palliative care outcomes reveal challenges: low emotional well-being (2.6 ± 0.0) and alarming overall quality of life (1.8 ± 0.0). Family dissatisfaction (FAMCARE) is pervasive (total mean score 2.6 ± 0.5). Symptom severity (ESAS) is high, and caregiver strain (CSI) is notable (8.5 ± 2.2).

Significance of the results

The findings underscore the significance of the challenges faced by geriatric patients and caregivers in palliative care. Patients confront considerable symptom burdens and emotional distress, while caregivers experience notable strain. Urgently needed are targeted interventions designed to enhance patient well-being, alleviate caregiver burden, and elevate satisfaction. The critical importance of implementing these interventions promptly is highlighted, as they are instrumental in improving the overall care experience for geriatric patients and their caregivers. Moreover, the results underscore the imperative of developing comprehensive support mechanisms to address the intricate dimensions of palliative care, ultimately contributing to a more compassionate and effective care continuum.

Keywords

Caregiver straingeriatric patientsquality of lifepalliative caresymptom severity
Type
Original Article
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , First View , pp. 1 - 10
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press.

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