Patient, nursing and medical staff experiences and perceptions of the care of people diagnosed with non-curative palliative esophago-gastric cancer: a systematic review protocol of the qualitative evidence

Abstract

Review question/objective The overall objective of this systematic review is to synthesize the best available evidence on the experiences and perceptions of patients, nursing and medical staff with regard to the care of people diagnosed with non-curative palliative esophago-gastric cancer. In meeting this objective, this review will consider the following questions: 1. What are the expressed experiences and perceptions of patients, nursing and medical staff with regard to the care of people diagnosed with non-curative palliative esophago-gastric cancer? 2. What do patients, nursing and medical staff believe are the most appropriate and acceptable ways to deliver care to people diagnosed with non-curative palliative esophago-gastric cancer? 3. What do patients, nursing and medical staff believe influences achievement of the best quality of life for patients diagnosed with non-curative palliative esophago-gastric cancer? Inclusion criteria Types of participants This review will consider studies that include any participant involved in the delivery of palliative care to people diagnosed with palliative esophago-gastric cancer in a hospital, home or community setting. International evidence will be included, but only that written in the English language. Health care practitioner will include nursing, medical and allied health professionals, including registered and non-registered health care practitioners (e.g. health care support workers). The review will also consider studies of experiences and perceptions of patients diagnosed with palliative (non-curative) esophago-gastric cancer aged 18 years or older. Studies of experiences and perceptions of adult participants with potentially curative esophago-gastric cancer or of those adults with curative treatment intent for esophago-gastric cancer will be excluded. Phenomena of interest This review will consider studies that investigate the experience and perceptions of people diagnosed with non-curative palliative esophago-gastric cancer and the staff working with these people. By considering the experiences and perceptions of these people, information related to what patients, nursing and medical staff believe are the most appropriate and acceptable ways to deliver care to people diagnosed with non-curative palliative esophago-gastric cancer may become clear. Additionally, what the patients, nursing and medical staff believe influences achievement of the best quality of life for patients diagnosed with non-curative palliative esophago-gastric cancer may be found.