Development of Palliative and End of Life Care Model for Cancer Patients Based on the Participation of Cancer-Free Village Community Network, Lampang Province

Abstract

Cancer is a major public health problem. This research and development aimed to develop and investigate the outcomes of palliative and end of life care model for cancer patients based on the participation of Cancer-Free Village Community Network, Lampang Province. Research methodology comprised 4 steps: 1) situational analysis of Lampang cancer-free village community network 2) development of palliative and end of life care model for cancer patients 3) model implementation and 4) evaluation of model’s outcomes. The participants were providers team, cancer patients and their caregivers, and Lampang cancer-free village community network. Research instruments composed of interview form, the satisfaction quesionaire, and the outcome evaluation form of  palliative and end of life care model. Data were analyzed using content analysis, descriptive statisitcs, and Wilcoxon-signed ranks test.

Research results revealed that the model consisted of 6 components:1) seamless system for palliative and end of life care among cancer patients, 2) provision of update knowledge on palliative and end of life care, 3)  integrating “Baworn” principle for working, 4) establishing supply center in the community, 5) provision of mental and spiritual care based on traditional Lanna rituals, and 6) establishing learning center in community. The outcomes after model implementation were—the palliative care outcome of caregivers, the satisfaction towards model implementation of caregivers and healthcare providers were significantly higher from that of the before (p .027, .028 and .021, respectively); and provider’s team expressed that they could practice following the guidelines of the model at the highest level (3.47, SD 0.59).