Toward a Practice-Informed Agenda for Hospice Intervention Research: What Are Staff Members' Biggest Challenges?

• Published in: American journal of hospice & palliative medicine Vol. 38; no. 5; p. 467
• Main Authors: Washington, Karla T, Alaniz Staner, Leticia M, Collie, Benjamin E, Craig, Kevin W, Demiris, George, Oliver, Debra Parker
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.05.2021
• Subjects: chaplaincy; regulations; bereavement; nursing; hospice; volunteers; social work; policy
• ISSN: 1938-2715
• DOI: 10.1177/1049909120948222

The translation of evidence-based interventions into routine hospice care is impeded by numerous barriers, including a disconnect between research priorities and clinical care. To inform the development of a more practice-informed agenda for hospice intervention research, our team conducted a qualitative descriptive study, posing the following research questions: 1) How do hospice staff members describe their most significant work-related challenges? and 2) What regulatory changes do hospice staff members report would most improve hospice care? To answer these research questions, we interviewed 22 hospice staff members and then conducted a template analysis of the interview content. In doing so, we identified themes that described challenges in 5 key areas: , , , , and . In addition, we identified a perceived need among hospice staff members for more regulatory and . Based on our findings, we conclude that a practice-informed agenda for hospice intervention research includes the development and testing of interventions that increase efficiency, explicitly speak to the humanity of hospice care, and elevate the roles of all members of the interdisciplinary team.