TY - JOUR

T1 - Implementation and impact of the Gold Standards Framework in community palliative care

T2 - a qualitative study of three primary care trusts

AU - Walshe, Catherine

AU - Caress, Ann

AU - Chew-Graham, Carolyn

AU - Todd, Chris

PY - 2008/9

Y1 - 2008/9

N2 - The Gold Standards Framework (GSF) has been widely adopted within UK general practices, yet there is little understanding of its impact on the provision of community palliative care services. This study presents data on the anticipation and adoption of the GSF within three Primary Care Trusts in North West England. Forty-seven interviews were conducted with generalist and specialist palliative and primary care professionals. Important aspects of the GSF identified were the patient register, communication and out-of-hours protocols. Positive benefits to professionals included improved communication between professionals and appropriate anticipatory prescribing. Negative aspects included increased nursing workload and the possibility of fewer or later visits for patients. Many respondents believed that the GSF needed local champions to be sustainable. Slow or incomplete adoption was reported. The GSF was recognised as important because it facilitated changes to previously difficult aspects of work between professionals, but few respondents reported direct benefits to patient care.

AB - The Gold Standards Framework (GSF) has been widely adopted within UK general practices, yet there is little understanding of its impact on the provision of community palliative care services. This study presents data on the anticipation and adoption of the GSF within three Primary Care Trusts in North West England. Forty-seven interviews were conducted with generalist and specialist palliative and primary care professionals. Important aspects of the GSF identified were the patient register, communication and out-of-hours protocols. Positive benefits to professionals included improved communication between professionals and appropriate anticipatory prescribing. Negative aspects included increased nursing workload and the possibility of fewer or later visits for patients. Many respondents believed that the GSF needed local champions to be sustainable. Slow or incomplete adoption was reported. The GSF was recognised as important because it facilitated changes to previously difficult aspects of work between professionals, but few respondents reported direct benefits to patient care.

KW - home care services

KW - interdisciplinary communication

KW - palliative care

KW - physicians

KW - family

KW - primary health care

KW - qualitative research

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=61549121025&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1177/0269216308094103

DO - 10.1177/0269216308094103

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:61549121025

VL - 22

SP - 736

EP - 743

JO - Palliative Medicine

JF - Palliative Medicine

SN - 0269-2163

IS - 6

ER -