Understanding aims, successes and challenges of palliative care and homelessness initiatives across the UK: an exploratory study
Background Due to the recognition that people experiencing homelessness (PEH) often die young and unsupported, a growing number of initiatives focusing on palliative care and homelessness are emerging across the UK. However, there has been no systematic exploration of the nature and landscape of thi...
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| Format: | Article |
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BMJ Publishing Group
2024-01-01
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| Series: | BMJ Open |
| Online Access: | https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/1/e075498.full |
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| author | Kate Flemming Briony Hudson Caroline Shulman Jodie Crooks |
| author_facet | Kate Flemming Briony Hudson Caroline Shulman Jodie Crooks |
| author_sort | Kate Flemming |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background Due to the recognition that people experiencing homelessness (PEH) often die young and unsupported, a growing number of initiatives focusing on palliative care and homelessness are emerging across the UK. However, there has been no systematic exploration of the nature and landscape of this work.Aims To understand the range, aims, successes and challenges of current initiatives within the field of palliative care and homelessness in the UK, by exploring existing projects and initiatives.Method An online survey was distributed to members of an Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes network focusing on palliative care and homelessness for a mixed professional audience. The survey collated the aims, successes and challenges of initiatives aiming to improve palliative care for PEH. Responses were summarised using descriptive statistics, and free-text responses were analysed using thematic analysis.Results 162 professionals completed the survey. Of these, 62% reported involvement in at least one palliative care and homelessness initiative. Initiatives focused on service delivery (59%), training (28%) and research (28%). Themes for success included improved service engagement, relationship formation, housing provision, honouring end-of-life wishes, upskilling staff and enabling safe hospital discharge. The main challenges included stigma around substance misuse, securing funding, staff capacity, equipment and facilities, and engaging communities.Conclusion The number and scope of initiatives aiming to support PEH with advanced ill health and palliative care needs across the UK is growing, with a range of professionals engaging in the field. Future research may benefit from exploring initiatives in more detail to understand the specific drivers of impact on PEH and the staff and services supporting them. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-139581be8798466a9b1dc4e7af8ac8fc |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2044-6055 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | BMJ Publishing Group |
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| series | BMJ Open |
| spelling | doaj-art-139581be8798466a9b1dc4e7af8ac8fc2025-08-20T02:13:44ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552024-01-0114110.1136/bmjopen-2023-075498Understanding aims, successes and challenges of palliative care and homelessness initiatives across the UK: an exploratory studyKate Flemming0Briony Hudson1Caroline Shulman2Jodie Crooks3Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of York, York, UKPolicy and Research, Marie Curie, London, UK3University College London, London, UKMarie Curie, Research and Policy, London, UKBackground Due to the recognition that people experiencing homelessness (PEH) often die young and unsupported, a growing number of initiatives focusing on palliative care and homelessness are emerging across the UK. However, there has been no systematic exploration of the nature and landscape of this work.Aims To understand the range, aims, successes and challenges of current initiatives within the field of palliative care and homelessness in the UK, by exploring existing projects and initiatives.Method An online survey was distributed to members of an Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes network focusing on palliative care and homelessness for a mixed professional audience. The survey collated the aims, successes and challenges of initiatives aiming to improve palliative care for PEH. Responses were summarised using descriptive statistics, and free-text responses were analysed using thematic analysis.Results 162 professionals completed the survey. Of these, 62% reported involvement in at least one palliative care and homelessness initiative. Initiatives focused on service delivery (59%), training (28%) and research (28%). Themes for success included improved service engagement, relationship formation, housing provision, honouring end-of-life wishes, upskilling staff and enabling safe hospital discharge. The main challenges included stigma around substance misuse, securing funding, staff capacity, equipment and facilities, and engaging communities.Conclusion The number and scope of initiatives aiming to support PEH with advanced ill health and palliative care needs across the UK is growing, with a range of professionals engaging in the field. Future research may benefit from exploring initiatives in more detail to understand the specific drivers of impact on PEH and the staff and services supporting them.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/1/e075498.full |
| spellingShingle | Kate Flemming Briony Hudson Caroline Shulman Jodie Crooks Understanding aims, successes and challenges of palliative care and homelessness initiatives across the UK: an exploratory study BMJ Open |
| title | Understanding aims, successes and challenges of palliative care and homelessness initiatives across the UK: an exploratory study |
| title_full | Understanding aims, successes and challenges of palliative care and homelessness initiatives across the UK: an exploratory study |
| title_fullStr | Understanding aims, successes and challenges of palliative care and homelessness initiatives across the UK: an exploratory study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Understanding aims, successes and challenges of palliative care and homelessness initiatives across the UK: an exploratory study |
| title_short | Understanding aims, successes and challenges of palliative care and homelessness initiatives across the UK: an exploratory study |
| title_sort | understanding aims successes and challenges of palliative care and homelessness initiatives across the uk an exploratory study |
| url | https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/1/e075498.full |
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