Facilities for palliative care: patterns and contrasts

Background and aim – Palliative care consists of a multitude of factors, such as psychological and spiritual, in addition to or integrated with nursing and facility management. Stewart, Teno, Patrick, & Lynn (1999) have developed a framework that helps understand how structure and process affect the quality of dying. Exploration of the environment of patients in palliative care in hospices, nursing homes, and hospitals by mapping social-spatial experiences to advance the quality of dying will add to the body of knowledge. Methods / Methodology – 57 Employees, volunteers, supervisors, patients, and family were interviewed semi-structured by 7 bachelor thesis students on facilities in Dutch palliative care, after which secondary analysis was performed by one of the authors. Results – Respondents pointed out the importance of spaces and services for spirituality, and indicated that they feel that a sense of control over facilities is important. Connections have been found between spirituality and facilities, and differences between types of roles and types of accommodation. The study illustrates important elements of facilities, such as domestic furniture or decoration, and to the role of spirituality. Originality – Across the field of palliative care in the North of the Netherlands, bachelor thesis students have interviewed staff, volunteers, patients, and family about an interrelated multitude of aspects, including spaces, services, and spirituality. Practical or social implications – A pplication of findings can potentially contribute to improved alignment of facilities with the needs of patients and their loved ones in palliative care. Differences in opinions of the different groups require further investigation.