Assessment of the role and participation of pharmacists in the provision of palliative care

Public Awareness and Perceptions of Palliative and Comfort Care

Palliative care is a specialized health care service for individuals with serious illness at any stage and can be provided in any setting. Current national consensus developed by palliative care experts recommends the inclusion of pharmacists in an interdisciplinary team (IDT) to provide quality palliative care. However, national registry data report that less than 10% of inpatient palliative teams in the U.S. have a clinical pharmacist. Clinical pharmacists have an impactful role in palliative patients' quality of life by optimizing symptom management, deprescribing, and providing education to the palliative care team as well as patients and their families. In this report, we review the current literature on the role of a palliative pharmacist in an inpatient palliative care setting and compare and contrast this with our own clinical practice, providing case examples about the role of a palliative clinical pharmacist in an interdisciplinary inpatient palliative care setting. Future strategies are needed to increase post-graduate specialized pharmacy residency training in palliative care as well as education on palliative and hospice care in pharmacy schools to support the role of clinical pharmacists in palliative care.

Background and ImportanceThe global demand for palliative care is growing but only 14% receive adequate care.1 Complex medication regimens lead to polypharmacy, potentially jeopardising patient safety. Pharmacists may enhance safety...

National Consensus Project for Quality Palliative Care: Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care, Executive Summary

We conducted this scoping review to map and summarize scientific evidence on the role of clinical pharmacists in the palliative care of adults and elderly patients with cancer. A literature search was performed in MEDLINE, PubMed Central, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and BVS/BIREME for studies published until November 22nd, 2020. Studies that reported work experiences adopted by clinical pharmacists in the palliative care of adults and elderly patients with cancer were included. Two independent authors performed study selection and data extraction. Any disagreements were resolved by discussion with the third and fourth authors. The pharmacist interventions identified in the included studies were described based on key domains in the DEPICT v.2. A total of 586 records were identified, of which 14 studies fully met the eligibility criteria. Most of them were conducted in the United States of America (n = 5) and Canada (n = 5) and described the workplace of the pharmacist in clinic/ambulatory (n = 10). Clinical pharmacists performed several activities and provided services, highlighting medication review (n = 12), patient and caregivers education (n = 12), medication histories and-or medication reconciliation (n = 6). The pharmacist interventions were mostly conducted for patients/caregivers (n = 13), by one-on-one contact (n = 14), and by face-to-face (n = 13). Pharmacists were responsible mainly for change or suggestion for change in therapy (n = 12) and patient counselling (n = 12). Pharmacist interventions were well accepted by the clinical team. Overall, studies showed that pharmacists, within an interdisciplinary team, had significant impacts on measured outcomes. In recent years, there have been advances in the role of the pharmacist in palliative care of patients with cancer and there are great opportunities in this field. They play an important role in managing cancer pain and other symptoms, as well as resolving drug related problems. We encourage more research to be carried out to strengthen this field and to benefit patients with advanced cancer with higher quality of life.

BackgroundThe World Health Organization identifies pharmacists as a key resource in palliative care. However, the roles of these professionals in end-of-life care at home remain poorly understood, and community pharmacists themselves sometimes struggle to recognize their true role in this care. The aim of our study was to analyze community pharmacists’ representations of their roles in palliative care at home in France.MethodsThe methodology was qualitative and based on semi-structured interviews with community pharmacists (n = 26). The analysis of the interviews was carried out using a qualitative content approach with thematic and lexical analysis.ResultsThree main elements of the community pharmacist’s role were identified: drug expertise, care management, and psychosocial support for patients and their families.ConclusionsThis study highlights a wide variety of roles adopted by French community pharmacists in palliative care at home. Some of these roles, which are in line with WHO recommendations on palliative care, have been little described to date. These roles of community pharmacists in home-based palliative care could be better recognized, and the players better integrated into end-of-life care systems at home, in order to improve such care.Trial registrationThis work was carried out within the framework of a call for projects from the Fondation de France and has received the approval of the University Clermont Auvergne Research Ethics Committee (no. IRB00011540-2021-60).

To explore the practices of members of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine (ANZSPM) in assessing and treating depression in palliative care patients. Semistructured questionnaires were forwarded to ANZSPM members in consecutive mail-outs to survey diagnostic and treatment practices for depression. The response rate was 62.3%. The median prevalence of depression, as perceived by respondents, in the present respondent patient populations was 20% (range 0%-90%); 57.1% of respondents always assessed for depression, whereas 42.9% assessed for depression sometimes. The majority (98.9%) of respondents relied on clinical interviews to assess depression; non-somatic symptoms of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV) criteria were more useful than somatic symptoms. The depression screening tools most frequently used were one- and two-item questions. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods were used to treat depression, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors the most frequently prescribed medications. Psycho-educational and supportive counselling were the most frequently used non-pharmacological interventions. Nominated measures to augment depression management included improving access to psychiatry, psychology and other allied health services, the development of a screening tool specific to palliative care patients and associated guidelines for depression management. This is the first Australasian study to explore the practice of medical practitioners regarding depression in palliative patients. Incorporation of screening tool questions into palliative care assessment interviews may warrant future research. WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE TOPIC? Depression in palliative care patients has a negative impact on quality of life; however, little is known about how Australasian palliative care medical practitioners manage depression in this patient population. WHAT DOES THIS PAPER ADD? To the researchers' knowledge, this is the first Australasian study that explores the practices of local palliative care specialists in the management of depression in palliative patients. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTITIONERS? Overall management of depression in palliative care populations by Australasian practitioners is similar to that of their European colleagues. Consensus is that for assessment of depression in palliative patients, non-somatic symptoms of DSM-IV criteria are more useful than somatic symptoms. Practitioners report the need for improved access to psychiatric, psychological and other support services, for a palliative care-specific depression screening tool and for depression management guidelines applicable to palliative care patients.

Introduction: The palliative care (PC) pharmacist's role within PC teams is increasingly recognized with favorable outcomes being reported. Methods: Retrospective study evaluated hospitalized adults seen by PC pharmacists, as part of PC consultation team at three California institutions. The primary objective was to categorize pharmacists' interventions. Secondary end points included length from admission to PC pharmacist involvement and symptom improvement following pharmacist intervention. Results: Data were collected for a total of 557 patients. Over the study period, the PC pharmacists provided 1466 medication recommendations and 2545 nonsymptom-based interventions. Average length of stay (LOS) was 15.6 days with mean time to PC service referral of 3.6 days. PC pharmacist consult occurred after a mean of 4.3 days after PC team consulted. LOS was significantly lower if seen by PC pharmacist within 72 hours of PC consultation, 12.3 days versus 24.5 days (p < 0.001), as well as when serving as lead clinician 9.3 days versus 15.5 days (p < 0.001). Achievement of severity goal was significantly higher at 24 and 72 hours assessment periods when received a medication recommendation for pain, dyspnea, anxiety, and constipation. Conclusion: PC pharmacists provide substantial transdisciplinary interventions. Significantly decreased LOS was found when PC pharmacist was involved within 72 hours of initial PC consultation and when served as lead clinician. Improved symptom goal attainment was demonstrated for pain, dyspnea, anxiety, and constipation. In summary, integration of a PC pharmacist on a PC team can be relied upon to provide patient-centered, transdisciplinary care and enhance symptom management.

BackgroundPharmacists contribute to medication safety by providing their services in various settings. However, standardized definitions of the role of pharmacists in hospice and palliative care (HPC) are lacking.AimThe purpose of this scoping review was to provide an overview of the evidence on the role of pharmacists and to map clinical activities in inpatient HPC.MethodWe performed a scoping review according to the PRISMA-ScR extension in CINAHL, Embase, and PubMed. We used the American Society of Hospital Pharmacists (ASHP) Guidelines on the Pharmacist’s Role in Palliative and Hospice Care as a framework for standardized categorization of the identified roles and clinical activities.ResultsAfter screening 635 records (published after January 1st, 2000), the scoping review yielded 23 publications reporting various pharmacy services in HPC. The articles addressed the five main categories in the following descending order: ‘Medication order review and reconciliation’, ‘Medication counseling, education and training’, ‘Administrative Roles’, ‘Direct patient care’, and ‘Education and scholarship’. A total of 172 entries were mapped to the subcategories that were added to the main categories.ConclusionThis scoping review identified a variety of pharmacists’ roles and clinical activities. The gathered evidence will help to establish and define the role of pharmacists in inpatient hospice and palliative care.

Introduction: Morphine has been the cornerstone of pain management in palliative care patients. The easy accessibility and availability of opioids at most tertiary care centers of Nepal have made possible, the once thought impossible fundamental right of palliative patients. The availability of morphine has not only eased the pain of palliative patients but health care providers equally. The mainstay of pain management has had its success but several subjective complaints of dry mouth, sedation, feeling of incomplete wellbeing and decreased immune function is often heard of. The present study aims at evaluating the effects of morphine on complete blood count profile in palliative care patients. Methods: Complete blood count of 114 palliative patients was estimated using an automatic hematology analyzer after 24-48 hours and 14 days of morphine administration. The data was recorded using a preformed proforma and analyzed using SPSS (20). Results: A statistically significant increase in total white blood cell count, neutrophil and platelet count was observed following morphine administration but there was a decrease in lymphocyte count (p0.05). Conclusion: Morphine is found to influence the total white blood cells, neutrophils, and lymphocytes and NLR in palliative patients. However, withholding morphine in palliative patients is never an option. Furthermore, larger randomized controlled trials are necessary to analyze the predictive value of NLR and PLR in palliative patients.

BackgroundOpioid therapy is a critical component in managing pain in palliative care, where pharmacists' specialised expertise is crucial in ensuring quality care for patients. This systematic review aims to document available evidence on pharmacist interventions and their impact on optimising opioid therapy for pain management in palliative care patients.MethodsWe searched Medline (OVID), Embase (OVID), APA PsycINFO and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) for relevant articles published from the beginning to 31st December, 2022. All original studies documenting pharmacists' intervention and impact in optimising patients receiving opioid therapy for their pain management in palliative care settings were included in this review.ResultsThe database and reference search yielded to a total of 7154 studies. Out of these, only 3 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in this study. These studies were conducted in Korea, Canada and United States. Pharmacists were involved in assessing pain, suggesting medication for pain and other symptom management, providing patient education, counselling and recommendation, assessing patient's medication effects such as adverse effects, drug interaction and duplication, and adjusting medication. Similarly, their involvement showed improvements in pain management, opioid usage and management strategies.ConclusionThis systematic review highlights the important role of pharmacists in optimising opioid medication therapy for pain management in palliative care patients. Their contributions to palliative patient care improve pain outcomes and overall quality of life. Integrating pharmacists into palliative care teams can enhance pain management practices and provide better care for palliative patients. Further studies accompanying the robust methodologies and broader settings will validate the findings of this review.

ObjectivesMost patients in palliative oncology care are polymorbid and thus treated with multiple drugs. The therapeutic effect and safety of these drugs can be compromised by drug/drug interactions, but also...

BackgroundTo maintain patients’ quality of life is one of the major goals in palliative home care provided by general practitioners (GPs). GPs need adequate training to care for palliative patients. The paper seeks to evaluate whether a specific training in Germany (PAMINO) has any improving impact on the care of palliative patients and their health-related quality of life.MethodsFrom September 2007 until June 2009, GPs and their palliative care patients with cancer participated in a study to evaluate palliative courses for GPs offered by a regional palliative care initiative (PAMINO). For a period of six months at most or until death, patients were asked monthly to judge their quality of life on the Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 15 Palliative (QLQ-C15-PAL) of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and on the Palliative Care Outcome Scale (POS). The ‘Overall quality of life’ scale of the QLQ-C15-PAL takes values between 0 and 100 with higher values indicating a higher quality of life. The POS sum scale takes values between 0 and 40 with higher values indicating worse care outcomes. Patients cared for by PAMINO-trained GPs and patients cared for by other GPs (control group) are compared using t-tests for differences in group means.ResultsOne hundred patients participated in the study; 96 patients filled out the questionnaires at least once. On the QLQ-C15-PAL, mean quality of life of the patient groups of PAMINO-trained and other GPs were 37.7 (SD = 25.5) and 39.4 (SD = 26.3) (p = .76), respectively. On the POS, respective mean values of 13.6 (SD = 5.8) and 12.0 (SD = 6.5) (p = .26) were given. Patients cared for by a PAMINO-trained GP did not report better quality of life and care outcomes than patients cared for by other general practitioners.ConclusionsPatients cared for by PAMINO-trained and other GPs in our study did not report differences in quality of life. Quality of life and care outcomes of all patients were better than of palliative patients in institutional or specialized care, emphasizing the ability of GPs to provide adequate care for these vulnerable patients. However, conclusions need to be drawn cautiously since the study had a small sample size.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials ISRCTN78021852

Palliative care uses a team approach, including physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and pharmacists. The pharmacist's role within palliative care teams is increasing and initial favorable outcomes have been reported. This retrospective study evaluated adult hospitalized patients seen by a part-time palliative care specialist pharmacist as part of the palliative care consultation team at an academic health system during a 15-month period between September 1, 2015, and March 30, 2017. Our study's objective is to identify patterns of an inpatient palliative care pharmacist's interventions and outcomes and evaluate the impact of pharmacist involvement on patient hospital length of stay (LOS), length from admission to palliative care consult (LTC), and time from consult to discharge or death (CTD). The palliative care pharmacist was on service 35% of the time and saw 26.4% of the patient seen by the palliative care team (n = 341 out of 1293). Each patient received an average of 3.5 interventions with an average of 4.1 documented outcomes. The most common interventions were optimizing palliative medication regimen and providing education; most common outcomes were implementation of a change in palliative medication regimen and education of healthcare professionals. Overall, patients seen by the palliative care pharmacist were younger (p < 0.05), more likely to be female (p < 0.05), and more likely to have a primary palliative consultation reason listed as "pain" (p < 0.005). LOS, LTC, and CTD were significantly longer for patients seen by palliative care pharmacist. Pharmacist interventions and outcomes were predominantly related to optimizing symptoms by changes in medication regimen and education of healthcare professionals. A subanalysis of patients with known date of first pharmacist visit found significantly improved LOS, LTC, and CTD for patients with early access to palliative pharmacy (in addition to the other members of the palliative team) compared to those without early access.

The treatment of cancer pain requires an individually-targeted multidimensional team approach. Further, the basic act for the Anti-Cancer Measures describes that medical staff including pharmacists should participate in the palliative care. Thus it is obvious that community pharmacists should also participate in palliative home care. In addition, a misunderstanding about opioids remains strong in Japan, which could be one of the barriers to palliative home care. In our previous report, we clarified for local residents the importance of educational activity using opioids as a new role for community pharmacists, and it was recognized of great significance by these pharmacists. In this study, we conducted a questionnaire survey among medical doctors, nurses, care managers and home helpers about the need and meaning of the educational activity performed by pharmacists in palliative home care. 86.4% of respondents felt pharmacists' participation in home care was required. Furthermore, most respondents thought that misunderstanding remained about opioids in palliative home care, and believed that pharmacists could play an important role in educational activity about opioids as experts in medicine. This study clarified that other medical team members need the participation of community pharmacists in palliative home care. Therefore, it seems important for these pharmacists to be proactive in participating in such care in the future.