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Preferences of quality delivery of palliative care among cancer patients in low- and middle-income countries: A review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 May 2021

Vicky Yemoh ,
Lawal Olatunde Olayemi Open the ORCID record for Lawal Olatunde Olayemi [Opens in a new window]  and
Jyothi Alex Abraham
Vicky Yemoh
Affiliation:
School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, National University of Samoa, Toomatagi, Samoa
Lawal Olatunde Olayemi*
Affiliation:
School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, National University of Samoa, Toomatagi, Samoa
Jyothi Alex Abraham
Affiliation:
School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, National University of Samoa, Toomatagi, Samoa
*
Author for correspondence: Lawal Olatunde Olayemi, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, National University of Samoa, P. O. Box, 1622 Apia, Samoa. E-mails olayemis2002@yahoo.com, l.olayemi@nus.edu.ws
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Abstract

Background

All forms of cancer pose a tremendous and increasing problem globally. The prevalence of cancer across the globe is anticipated to double over the next two decades. About 50% of most cancer cases are expected to occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where there is a greater disproportionate level in mortality. Access to effective and timely care for cancer patients remains a challenge, especially in LMICs due to late disease diagnosis and detection, coupled with the limited availability of appropriate therapeutic options and delay in proper interventions.

Methodology

This study explored several mixed-method researches and randomized trials that addressed the preferences of quality delivery of palliative care among cancer patients in LMICs. A designated set of keywords such as Palliative Care; Preferences; Cancer patients; Psycho-social Support; End-of-life Care; Low and Middle-Income Countries were inserted on electronic databases to retrieve articles. The databases include PubMed, Scinapse, Medline, The Google Scholar, Academic search premier, SAGE, and EBSCO host.

Results

Findings from this review discussed the socioeconomic and behavioral factors, which address the quality delivery of palliative care among cancer patients. These factors if measured with acceptance level in cancer patients could help to address areas that need improvement from the stage of disease diagnosis to the end-of-life.

Significance of the results

Valuable collaborations among international and local health institutions are needed to build and implement a systematic framework for palliative care in LMICs. Policies and programs that are country and culturally specific, encompassing both theoretical and practical models of care in the milieu of existing quandaries should be developed.

Keywords

Cancer patientsEnd-of-life careLow- and middle-income countriesPalliative carePreferencesPsycho-social support
Type
Review Article
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 20 , Issue 2 , April 2022 , pp. 275 - 282
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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