Palliative care in cardiopulmonary transplantation

McKenna, Maria and Clark, Stephen (2015) Palliative care in cardiopulmonary transplantation. BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, 5 (4). pp. 427-434. ISSN 2045-435X

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Abstract

Cardiopulmonary transplantation is a life-prolonging therapy available to a select population of patients with cardiac or respiratory failure. Transplantation is associated with significant morbidity, mortality and unmet palliative care need. Despite recommendations that palliative care should be a core component of the heart and lung transplant process, collaboration within clinical practice is extremely rare. A key reason for this is the misperception among patients, their families and transplant clinicians, that palliative care is analogous with end of life care. Other challenges include prognostication, communication, and the balance of hope and reality. We suggest a change in clinical practice within cardiopulmonary transplantation, whereby palliative care takes place alongside active management. Greater partnership working will demonstrate clinical credibility and highlight the impact of palliative care interventions. Education is required to address current misperceptions and further research should explore the effect of initiatives to improve palliative care provision for this patient group.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	B100 Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology
Department:	Faculties > Health and Life Sciences > Applied Sciences
Depositing User:	Becky Skoyles
Date Deposited:	26 May 2015 15:06
Last Modified:	10 Oct 2019 16:19
URI:	http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/22587

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