The perceptions of palliative care medical practitioners towards oral health: A descriptive qualitative study

Author:

Villarosa Amy R.123,Agar Meera45,Kong Ariana12,Sousa Mariana S14,Harlum Janeane56,Parker Deborah4,Srinivas Ravi178,Wiltshire Jennifer5,George Ajesh1289ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Australian Centre for Integration of Oral Health (ACIOH), School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia

2. Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW, Australia

3. National Centre of Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia

4. IMPACCT (Improving Palliative, Aged and Chronic Care through Clinical Research and Translation), Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

5. Department of Palliative Care, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool, NSW, Australia

6. District Palliative Care Service, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool, NSW, Australia

7. Oral Health Services, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool, NSW, Australia

8. School of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia

9. School of Nursing, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia

Abstract

Background: Oral health problems are common, but often overlooked, among people receiving palliative care. Aim: To better understand how oral health can be addressed in this population, this study aimed to explore the perceptions of oral health care among medical practitioners who provide palliative care to inform the development of a palliative oral health care program. Design: A descriptive qualitative design was adopted. Setting/participants: A single focus group was conducted with 18 medical practitioners at a palliative care facility in Sydney, Australia. All participants had experience providing palliative care services to clients. The focus group was audio recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed. Results: The results from the inductive thematic analysis identified four themes. The themes highlighted that participants were aware of the oral health needs of people receiving palliative care; however, they also reflected on the complexity in delivering oral health care across the healthcare settings, as well as the challenges around cost, lack of appropriate dental referral pathways, time constraints and limited awareness. Participants also provided recommendations to improve the delivery of oral health care to individuals receiving palliative care. Conclusions: To improve the provision of oral health care in this population, this study highlighted the need for oral health training across the multidisciplinary team, standardised screening assessments and referrals, a collective responsibility across the board and exploring the potential for teledentistry to support oral health care provision.

Funder

South Western Sydney Local Health District

Publisher

SAGE Publications

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