New quality measures are urgently needed for end-of-life and palliative care, to assess the care given to all patients in all settings, say researchers at the University of Cambridge’s Primary Care Unit. That’s because in the UK and elsewhere, end-of life care is provided in many different settings and by a wide range of health […]
11 ways to embed qualitative research in a trial
Qualitative researchers within the SAFER trial research team are making a big difference to the design and conduct of the programme, contributing to important changes in both the feasibility study and the subsequent main trial. SAFER is a major programme of research, led by the University of Cambridge’s Primary Care Unit and funded by the […]
Why people take part in screening for atrial fibrillation: insights from the SAFER trial
People who decided to take part in screening for atrial fibrillation, a common heart condition, believed strongly in the benefits of screening, according to new research. The in-depth study of 23 participants in the SAFER trial of screening for atrial fibrillation (AF) looks at why these participants opted in and provides insight into their understanding of the […]
New study shows how dying without an “end-of-life” diagnosis makes it harder for frail older people to access good community care
People who die of old age may be less likely to receive good care at the end of their lives, according to a study from the University of Cambridge, funded by Marie Curie and published in the British Journal of General Practice. The research highlights the way an “end-of-life” diagnosis shapes care provision. It shows […]
Is it really better to die at home? New study highlights challenges for family members and healthcare professionals looking after patients at home
Family carers and healthcare staff said that hospital admission for patients near the end of their lives became necessary because of insufficient nursing and support at home, in a newly published study from the Cambridge Palliative and End of Life Care Group at the Primary Care Unit, University of Cambridge. The study was carried out […]
Ambulance staff describe hospital as only feasible place of care for dying patients
Ambulance staff are responding to the needs of dying patients by taking them to hospital because of a lack of alternative community-based forms of care and limited access to patient information, according to a paper published in Palliative Medicine. The study, a sociological analysis of the experiences of ambulance staff attending to patients close to […]