The roles, responsibilities and practices of healthcare assistants in out-of-hours community palliative care: A systematic scoping review. (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fee, Anne; Muldrew, Deborah; Slater, Paul; Payne, Sheila; McIlfatrick, Sonja; McConnell, Tracey; Finlay, Dori-Anne; Hasson, Felicity
• Is Part Of: Palliative medicine. Volume 34:Number 8(2020)
• Page Start: 976
• Page End: 988
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: Healthcare assistant -- after-hours -- palliative care -- community -- adult -- home care -- scoping review; Pain -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Palliative treatment -- Periodicals; Palliative Care -- Periodicals; Palliatieve behandeling; 616.029
• DOI: 10.1177/0269216320929559
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-2163

Abstract

Background: Access to community palliative care 'out-of-hours' – defined as care provided after the normal hours of work – is advocated globally. Healthcare assistants, who provide care under the direction of a qualified professional, are increasingly employed to help deliver such care, yet there is a little understanding regarding their role, responsibilities or contribution. Aim: The aim of this study was to identify the roles, responsibilities and contributions of healthcare assistants in out-of-hours community palliative care. Design: Scoping review Data sources: Five bibliographic databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and Scopus) and grey literature were searched using a predefined search strategy. The review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews statement. Results: The search yielded six papers using quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods. Results highlighted a lack of recognition of the role and contribution of healthcare assistants. A concurrent theme was that healthcare assistants continually monitored and responded to patient's and family's physical and emotional needs; there was also self-reported evidence indicating patient and family benefit, such as maintaining a sense of normality and support to remain at home. Discussion: This review highlighted a dearth of evidence relating to the healthcare assistant role in out-of-hours palliative care. Limited evidence suggests they play a role, but that it is hidden and undervalued. Such invisibility will have a significant impact on the planning and delivery of out-of-hours palliative care. Future research is needed on role development for the benefit of patients and caregivers.