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Published VersionCC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
The Compassionate Communities Connectors programme: experiences of supported families and referring healthcare providers
Palliative Care and Social Practice , Vol.17, pp.1-12
2023
Appears in Cancer Research Cluster Research Collection
Abstract
Background and Aim: Comprehensive evaluations that include the experience of patients and service providers are vital if interventions are to be translated into the standard practice of health services and allow formal networks to work as partners with informal community networks. However, published evaluations are limited in the palliative care volunteering literature. The objective of the study is to explore the experiences and views of both patients and their family carers who received support and their referring healthcare providers concerning their participation in the Compassionate Communities Connectors programme, in the southwest region of Western Australia. Connectors identified and addressed gaps in community and healthcare provision by accessing resources and mobilising social networks of people with life-limiting illnesses. The perspectives of patients, carers and service providers concerning the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention were sought. Methods: Semistructured interviews were undertaken with 28 patients/families and 12 healthcare providers, resulting in 47 interviews in total (March 2021-April 2022). An inductive content analysis was used in analysing interview transcripts to identify key themes. Results: Families greatly appreciated the support and enablement received from the Connectors. Healthcare providers were impressed with the high level of resourcefulness exhibited by the Connectors and perceived a great need for the programme, particularly for those socially isolated. Three themes captured the patients'/families' perspectives: connector as an advocate, increasing social connectedness and taking the pressure off families. Healthcare providers' perspectives were captured in three themes: reducing social isolation, filling a gap in service provision and building the capacity of the service. Conclusions: Perspectives of patients/families and healthcare providers demonstrated the mediating role of Connectors. Each group saw the Connectors' contribution through the lens of their particular interests or needs. However, there were indications that the connection was shifting the way each group understood and practised care, encouraging or restoring agency to families and reminding healthcare providers that collaborating beyond the boundaries of their roles actually enhances the whole ecology of care. Using a Compassionate Communities approach to mobilise health and community sectors has the potential to develop a more holistic approach that addresses the social, practical and emotional domains of care.
Details
- Title
- The Compassionate Communities Connectors programme: experiences of supported families and referring healthcare providers
- Authors
- Samar A Aoun (Corresponding Author) - The University of Western AustraliaJohn Rosenberg (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - NursingRobyn Richmond (Author) - Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational ScienceBruce Rumbold (Author) - La Trobe University
- Publication details
- Palliative Care and Social Practice , Vol.17, pp.1-12
- Publisher
- Sage Publications Ltd.
- Date published
- 2023
- DOI
- 10.1177/26323524231173705
- ISSN
- 2632-3524
- Copyright note
- © The Author(s), 2023. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) which permits any use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access page (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage).
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Nursing; Cancer Research Cluster
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99725698702621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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