Critical Review of Literature on End-of-Life Palliative Care

This report presents a critical review of the literature concerning palliative care, focusing on the core value of dignity in end-of-life care. The introduction establishes the significance of core values in healthcare, particularly within the context of palliative care, and their influence on patient well-being. The literature review synthesizes findings from various scholarly sources, including journal articles, to identify common themes and concepts related to the promotion of dignity. The discussion section explores the application of these themes in practice, emphasizing person-centered care and patient autonomy. The conclusion summarizes the importance of dignity in end-of-life care and highlights the role of healthcare practitioners in upholding these values. The report includes a table summarizing the key themes and concepts identified in the literature, along with a comprehensive list of references.

Critique the research findings

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
DISCUSSION .................................................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Core value is referred to as a belief or specific set of principles that an organization or a
person views as one of the integral importance (Franco and et.al., 2019). These are referred to as
the guiding principles which dictates the behaviour of an individual. The core values are
important within the health industry because it helps the healthcare practitioners in the decision
making process. It is useful in providing the best possible care to the patients.
Palliative care is an approach which is useful in improving the quality of life of the
person who has been seeking care related to the problems like life threatening illness with the
use of intervention and other preventive measures. It is useful in providing relief from the pain or
other distressing symptoms which has been suffered by the person. This study will focus on
carrying out a critical review process associated with the end of life care.
LITERATURE REVIEW
The importance of dignity value on palliative care.
Harstäde and et.al., (2018) stated that, palliative care at the end of life is useful in
relieving the suffering of the patients by effectively using comprehensive assessment and
treating the the distressful symptoms which has been experienced by the patients. End of life care
typically includes palliative care. Bylund-Grenklo and et.al., (2019) investigated that, palliative
care helps in managing the pain among the patient and is useful in providing support associated
with the life limiting illness. Dignity is highly associated with the respect which has been given
to the people by effectively providing excellent set of care in order to live a healthy and
prosperous life.
The influence of dignity among care practitioners.
Welie, Sullivan and Heng, (2016) sought to establish the fact that, the dignity value at the time of
healthcare is significant in treating the patient with high degree of care and compassion. Health
care practitioners who has been providing the dignified care is useful in promoting
independence, autonomy, maintaining the identity of an individual, respect and also leads to
effective communication. Barclay, (2016) examined the fact that, the dignity value is significant
as it helps in promoting holistic and person centred care to the patients. The health care
practitioners also promotes good practice in safeguarding which is useful in promoting the
dignity within the healthcare setting.
The influence of dignity value in the end of life phase.

Johnson, (2017) investigated that, dignity is useful in the development of the effective
relationship between the patients and care profession. It is significant in maintaining the serenity
within the patient in order to ensure that the best possible treatment is given to the customers
who has been experiencing severe illness and distressing symptoms. End of life phase is referred
to as the last day of the person's life who has been suffering from specific illness. This is one of
the most stressful and emotional time for the family members of the patient. Quality of the end of
life care services has been provided by the healthcare workers who tends to endeavour in
maintaining the dignity of the caregivers, patients and family. Subsequently, Fernández-Sola,
and et.al., (2017) argued that, Dignity value is considered to be as the lifelong universal need
which is very crucial and vital for the person's welfare. It is the sense of respect and worth. The
dignity at the time of end of life care is maintained by allowing the care practitioners to spend
personal time with the patients. Also, providing the choice associated with the place of death.
However, maintaining dignity of the patient at the end of life is considered to be paramount.
Authors Names and Date of Publication
Commo
n Theme
Author/ s and Date Author/ s and Date Author/ s and Date
The
importa
nce of
dignity
value on
palliativ
e care.
Harstäde and et.al., 2018 Bylund-Grenklo and
et.al., 2019
Stievano,and et.al., 2019
The
influenc
e of
dignity
among
care
practitio
Welie, Sullivan and Heng,
2016
Barclay, 2016 Franco and et.al., 2019

ners.
The
influenc
e of
dignity
value in
the end
of life
phase.
Johnson, 2017 Fernández-Sola, and
et.al., 2017
Harstäde and et.al., 2018
DISCUSSION
Palliative care is provided to the people of all the age groups who tends to have a life
limiting illness with limited or no prospect of cure (Stievano,and et.al., 2019). This is one of the
key significant approach which is useful in improving the quality of life of patients and to the
members of the family who has been facing life threatening problems. Dignity in care is mainly
useful in treating the patient and its family members with utmost degree of respect and dignity
especially in the situation of end of life care.
The care practitioner focuses on providing the patient with the person centred care and
also treating the patients with utmost degree of respect and integrity (Franco and et.al., 2019).
The health care practitioners show dignity to the patients my listening to their care needs and
concerns. Involve the patient and its family members in the decision making process is also
another effective measure for treating the patients with dignity.
Complete privacy must be given to the patient and its family members by the care
practitioners at the time of end of life of the person (Defining Dignity in End-of-Life with
Hospice Care. 2020). Providing the choice associated with the place of death is also one of the
significant measure which helps in creating a sense of dignity among the patients (Harstäde and
et.al., 2018). Dignity is useful because it helps the individual and enable them to maintain
maximum level of independence, control over own life and choices at the time of end of life care
phase.

CONCLUSION
This study summarizes that, Dignity is highly associated with the respect and is useful in
providing support to the patient who has been seeking end of life care. Health care practitioners
who has been providing the dignified care to the patient by promoting holistic and person centred
care to the patients. Dignity enable patients to maintain maximum level of independence.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Barclay, L., 2016. In sickness and in dignity: a philosophical account of the meaning of dignity
in health care. International journal of nursing studies, 61, pp.136-141.
Bylund-Grenklo, T and et.al., 2019. Dignity in life and care: the perspectives of Swedish patients
in a palliative care context. International journal of palliative nursing, 25(4), pp.193-201.
Fernández-Sola, C and et.al., 2017. Defining dignity in end-of-life care in the emergency
department. Nursing ethics, 24(1), pp.20-32.
Franco, M.E and et.al., 2019. Perception of dignity of patients in palliative care. Texto &
Contexto-Enfermagem, 28.
Harstäde, C.W and et.al., 2018. Dignity‐conserving care actions in palliative care: An integrative
review of Swedish research. Scandinavian Journal of caring sciences, 32(1), pp.8-23.
Johnson, C., 2017. Living with dignity: a palliative approach to care at the end of life. Australian
Nursing and Midwifery Journal, 25(6), p.30.
Stievano, A and et.al., 2019. Nursing’s professional dignity in palliative care: Exploration of an
Italian context. Journal of clinical nursing, 28(9-10), pp.1633-1642.
Welie, J.V., Sullivan, W.F. and Heng, J., 2016. The Value of Palliative Care: IACB Guidelines
for Health Care Facilities and Individual Providers Facing Permissive Laws on Physician
Assistance in Suicide and Euthanasia. The National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly, 16(4),
pp.657-662.
Online
Defining Dignity in End-of-Life with Hospice Care. 2020. [ONLINE]. Available
through:<https://samaritannj.org/hospice-blog-and-events/hospice-palliative-care-blog/defining-
dignity-end-life-hospice-care/>