Palliative care in the emergency department: a systematic review

Reference

Cooper, E., Sheikh, Z., Townend, W., Johnson, M., & Hutchinson, A., 2016. Palliative care in the emergency department: a systematic review. Emergency Medicine Journal, 33(12), 919.2–920. http://doi.org/10.1136/emermed-2016-206402.38

Conclusion

This synthesis has provided a greater breadth of insight to enable recurring themes regarding the potential conflicts between emergency care and PC to be identified with a view to overcoming the challenges faced. Significantly recognising the need for educating ED physicians in the scope and components of PC, improving interdisciplinary working and enabling better understanding of patients and carers about their likely disease progression and the opportunities open to them. Further research should focus on the best ways to provide such education, the specific reasons for shortfalls in communication and how these could be overcome.