'I'm going to push this door open. You can close it': a qualitative study of the brokering work of oncology clinic nurses in introducing early palliative care

摘要

The benefits of early engagement of palliative care services, alongside potentially curative treatment are acknowledged in an emerging evidence base, with positive impacts for both the patient and their family in a range of different factors. The gateway to accessing palliative care services may often fall to the specialist nurse, who may well be involved in the care of the patient and their family from the point of pre-diagnosis and throughout their disease trajectory. In cancer care, it is suggested that there is limited evidence to identify how oncology nurse specialists introduce the concept of palliative care and associated services to patients, earlier in their disease journey.