Gardiner, C., Brereton, L., Frey, R. et al. (2 more authors) (2014) Exploring the financial impact of caring for family members receiving palliative and end-of-life care: A systematic review of the literature. Palliative Medicine, 28 (5). 375 - 390. ISSN 0269-2163
Abstract
Background: Research regarding the economic dimensions of palliative care is relatively limited. The economic implications of providing informal care are well recognised; however, within the context of palliative care, little is known about the costs and implications of providing care for a loved one at the end of life.
Aim: To explore the financial costs and the financial impact of caring for family members receiving palliative/end-of-life care.
Design: A systematic literature review of empirical research following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
Data Sources: Seven electronic databases were searched from inception to April 2012. Inclusion criteria were as follows: articles relating to the financial costs or implications of family caregiving at the end-of-life care, English language articles, empirical research or systematic reviews and articles relating to adults.
Results: The review identified 21 relevant articles; however, evidence relating to the costs and implications of caregiving was relatively limited. The results indicate that the financial costs of caring for someone at the end of life are substantial. Financial costs can result in significant and multidimensional caregiver burden. Various factors were found to mediate the extent of financial burden.
Conclusions: This review identified a significant gap in the evidence base regarding the economic implications of providing care to a family member within a palliative care context. Economic costs and implications are likely to be significant, and research to address this gap is urgently needed, particularly given policy initiatives in a number of developed countries to move the provision of palliative and end-of-life care from hospital to community settings.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2014 The Author(s). This is an author produced version of a paper subsequently published in Palliative Medicine. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | family caregiver; Palliative care; financial impact; economic impact; informal carer |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health (Sheffield) > School of Nursing and Midwifery (Sheffield) The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health (Sheffield) > School of Health and Related Research (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 14 Oct 2015 17:39 |
Last Modified: | 29 Oct 2015 17:03 |
Published Version: | https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0269216313510588 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | SAGE Publications |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1177/0269216313510588 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:90853 |