Experiences of Patients with Advanced Chronic Disease Transitioning to Palliative Care in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND

Palliative care is a holistic approach aimed at improving the quality of life for patients with advanced chronic diseases by providing physical, emotional, and spiritual support. communication is crucial during every stage of an illness to ensure that patients wishes are respected. This scoping review aimed to explore the literature on experiences of patients with advanced chronic disease transitioning to palliative care in low- and middle-income countries.

METHODOLOGY

This review was guided by Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review framework. A systematic search of the literature was conducted in MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar from 2012 to 2022. thematic analysis was utilized to construct themes.

RESULTS

The review identified key themes concerning the transition of people with advanced chronic diseases to palliative care in LMICs, including poor understanding, uncertainty, need for support, and poor communication.

CONCLUSION

This review offers valuable insights into the experiences of patients transitioning to palliative care, aiding in the development of more effective interventions for researchers, clinicians, and policymakers.