TY - JOUR

T1 - What is the role of paramedics in palliative and end of life care?

AU - Blackmore, Tania Anne

PY - 2022/3/1

Y1 - 2022/3/1

N2 - Home is the preferred place of care for most palliative patients, and when they reach the end stage of their illness, their preferred place of death. But primary health care provision for this patient group is inconsistent and mostly provided by family, loved ones or residential care staff who feel unconfident in providing such care. These anxious carers often call emergency services for urgent help as they witness the worrying and unexpected symptoms of disease deterioration or dying, thus making paramedics and the ambulance service the patient’s first point of contact in primary care. An understanding is needed of the role of paramedics in palliative and end of life care and whether paramedic attendance is appropriate in this patient group.

AB - Home is the preferred place of care for most palliative patients, and when they reach the end stage of their illness, their preferred place of death. But primary health care provision for this patient group is inconsistent and mostly provided by family, loved ones or residential care staff who feel unconfident in providing such care. These anxious carers often call emergency services for urgent help as they witness the worrying and unexpected symptoms of disease deterioration or dying, thus making paramedics and the ambulance service the patient’s first point of contact in primary care. An understanding is needed of the role of paramedics in palliative and end of life care and whether paramedic attendance is appropriate in this patient group.

KW - Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

KW - General Medicine

U2 - 10.1177/02692163211073263

DO - 10.1177/02692163211073263

M3 - Editorial

VL - 36

SP - 402

EP - 404

JO - Palliative Medicine

JF - Palliative Medicine

SN - 0269-2163

IS - 3

ER -