Patient perceptions of specialised hospital-based palliative home care: a qualitative study using a phenomenographical approach.

BACKGROUND: Specialised palliative care is given around the clock to palliative patients who have severe symptoms or special needs.

AIM: The aim of this study was to describe patients' perceptions of what it is like to be cared for by a specialised palliative care team within hospital-based palliative home care (HPHC).

METHOD: A qualitative method with semi-structured interviews was used. Fourteen patients enrolled in HPHC at a unit for specialised palliative care linked to the hospital in the southeast of Sweden participated. The analysis was performed with a phenomenographical approach.

RESULTS: Four description categories were identified: 'it is safe to receive care at home,' 'support and commitment', 'having access to a multiprofessional team', and 'how HPHC changes everyday life'. To be cared for by HPHC was perceived as safe, and the patients thought that having access to competent staff who supported them around the clock had improved their care and daily life.

CONCLUSION: The need for specialised palliative care will likely grow with an ageing population and this form of care was perceived as functioning well.