The Australian journal of rural health
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Aust J Rural Health · Aug 2019
Rural palliative care to support dying at home can be realised; experiences of family members and nurses with a new model of care.
While 60%-70% of people would prefer to die at home, only 14% do so. Families in a rural environment feel particularly unsupported in fulfilling this last wish of their loved one, which reflects the general shortage of health care workforce and resource allocation to institutions. The aim of this study was to describe the experience of families and nurses with extended rural palliative care to support dying at home. ⋯ Rural care support for dying at home can be realised. This study has demonstrated the positive impact of an end-of-life service, while at the same time pointing to concerns of the nursing staff on the suitability of the model of care. Health care workers and communities alike need to be educated and have conversations on end-of-life care.