Seymour, J. orcid.org/0000-0002-9384-2551 (2018) The impact of public health awareness campaigns on the awareness and quality of palliative care. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 21 (S1). S30-S36. ISSN 1096-6218
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The right to health includes a right of access to good quality palliative care, but inequalities persist. Raising awareness is a key plank of the public health approach to palliative care, but involves consideration of subjects most of us prefer not to address. This review addresses the question: "do public health awareness campaigns effectively improve the awareness and quality of palliative care"? BACKGROUND: The evidence shows that public awareness campaigns can improve awareness of palliative care and probably improve quality of care, but there is a lack of evidence about the latter. METHODS: Rapid review and synthesis. RESULTS: A comprehensive public awareness campaign about palliative care (including advance care planning and end-of-life decision making) should be based on clear and shared terminology, use well piloted materials, and the full range of mass media to suit different ages, cultures, and religious/spiritual perspectives. Arts and humanities have a role to play in allowing individuals and communities to express experiences of illness, death, and grief and encourage conversation and thoughtful reflection. There is evidence about key factors for success: targeting, networking, and use of specific, measurable, achievable, realistic time-bound objectives; continuous evaluation; and complementarity to national and international policy. DISCUSSION: Campaigns should be located within the framework of public health promotion and the synergy between short national mass media campaigns and longer term local community action initiatives carefully considered. National and local projects to raise awareness should identify and address any barriers at the level of individuals, communities, and systems of care, for example, literacy skills and unequal access to resources.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
---|---|
Authors/Creators: |
|
Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2018 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. This is an author produced version of a paper subsequently published in Journal of Palliative Medicine. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | advance care planning; palliative care; public health campaigns; quality of care |
Dates: |
|
Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health (Sheffield) > School of Nursing and Midwifery (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 19 Jan 2018 15:40 |
Last Modified: | 01 Jan 2019 01:39 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2017.0391 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Mary Ann Liebert |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1089/jpm.2017.0391 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:126404 |