Perceptions of healthcare professional about the "PACE Steps to Success" palliative care program for long-term care: A qualitative study in Switzerland.

Charmillot PA, Van den Block L, Oosterveld-Vlug M, Pautex S. Perceptions of healthcare professional about the "PACE Steps to Success" palliative care program for long-term care: A qualitative study in Switzerland. Nurs Open. 2023 Feb 25. doi: 10.1002/nop2.1683

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to examine the healthcare professionals' perceptions after implementing the "PACE Steps to Success" program in the French-speaking part of Switzerland.

Design: A qualitative descriptive study.

Methods: Thematic analysis of semi-structured face-to-face and group interviews with health professionals, PACE coordinators, and managers purposely invited in the four long-term home facilities that had previously participated in the PACE cluster randomized clinical trial intervention group.

Results: The PACE program implementation has improved communication with residents regarding end-of-life issues and helped identify patients' needs. The introduction of codified tools can complete internal tools and support decision-making. In addition, the training has promoted inter-professional collaboration, particularly in the case of care assistants, by defining each profession's specific responsibilities in providing care for older adults.

Keywords: collaboration cross-professional; education; long-term facilities; nursing home; palliative care.

© 2023 The Authors. Nursing Open published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.