| A protocol for determining differences in consistency and depth of palliative care service provision across community sites. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 20561070 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Numerous accounts document the difficulty in obtaining accurate data regarding the extent and composition of palliative care services. Compounding the problem is the lack of standardisation regarding categorisation and reporting across jurisdictions. In this study, we gathered both quantitative and spatial--or geographical--data to develop a composite picture that captures the extent, composition and depth of palliative care in the Canadian province of British Columbia (BC). The province is intensely urban in the southwest and is rural or remote in most of the remainder. For this study, we conducted a detailed telephone survey of all palliative care home care teams and facilities hosting designated beds in BC. We used geographic information systems to geocode locations of all hospice and hospital facilities. In-home care data was obtained individually from each of five BC regional health authorities. In addition, we purchased accurate road travel time data to determine service areas around palliative facilities and to determine populations outside of a 1-hour travel time to a facility. With this data, we were able to calculate three critical metrics: (i) the population served within 1 hour of palliative care facilities--and more critically those not served; (ii) a matrix that determines access to in-home palliative care measured by both diversity of professionals as well as population served per palliative team member; and (iii) a ranking of palliative care services across the province based on physical accessibility as well as the extent of in-home care. In combination, these metrics provide the basis for identifying areas of vulnerability with respect to not meeting potential palliative care need. In addition, the ranking provides a basis for rural/urban comparisons. Finally, the protocol introduced can be used in other areas and provides a means of comparing palliative care service provision amongst multiple jurisdictions. |
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Authors:
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Nadine Schuurman; Valorie A Crooks; Ofer Amram |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article Date: 2010-06-16 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Health & social care in the community Volume: 18 ISSN: 1365-2524 ISO Abbreviation: Health Soc Care Community Publication Date: 2010 Sep |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2010-08-27 Completed Date: 2010-12-06 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 9306359 Medline TA: Health Soc Care Community Country: England |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 537-48 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Department of Geography, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada. nadine@sfu.ca |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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British Columbia
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epidemiology Community Health Services / utilization* Health Care Surveys Health Services Accessibility / statistics & numerical data* Healthcare Disparities / statistics & numerical data* Hospice Care / statistics & numerical data* Humans Outcome Assessment (Health Care) Palliative Care / utilization* Rural Health Services / utilization Rural Population / statistics & numerical data Urban Health Services Urban Population / statistics & numerical data |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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