How effective is the preferred priorities of care document?

BACKGROUND

Growing recognition that people nearing the end of life should have greater control over their care has increased the use of the preferred priorities for care (PPC) document.

AIM

To explore district nurses' experiences of using PPCs in practice.

METHOD

A literature review and qualitative, unstructured interviews with 11 district nurses were carried out.

RESULTS

The study identified five key themes associated with the use of the PPC document: communication skills; hopelessness; empowerment; admission avoidance; and multiprofessional working.

CONCLUSION

The PPC document was seen as a valuable end-of-life care tool by district nurses. Protocols and guidelines governing the use of the PPC, and the support required by health professionals using the document, would maximise its benefits. This could ensure a wider range of health professionals would use the document, rather than its use being confined to district nurses.