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The role of the keyworker in breaking down professional culture barriers to providing high-quality palliative care: a literature review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 September 2013

Carina Feuz
Carina Feuz*
Affiliation:
Department of Radiation Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 2M9
*
Correspondence to: Carina Feuz, 610 University Avenue Rm 6-103, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 2M9. Tel: 416-946-4501 × 3197. Fax: 416-946-2019. E-mail: carina.feuz@rmp.uhn.on.ca
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Abstract

Background

Palliative cancer care is by definition multi-professional in nature. An interdisciplinary approach to disease management emphasising continuity of care results in increased quality of life for patients and families. Complex disease management demands the provision of a full spectrum of high-quality care; requiring both specialist and generalist services. Appointed keyworkers are knowledgeable about patient preferences enabling effective coordination of care and promotes collaborative team-working. The need for diversity in the provision of palliative care is recommended but can challenge effective interdisciplinary collaboration by creating tension and limiting the interdisciplinary team (IDT) from reaching its full potential resulting in adverse outcomes.

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the literature available regarding how IDTs and keyworkers influence high-quality palliative care; evaluate how professional culture barriers can influence team collaboration; discuss the keyworker role in minimising these barriers and clinical implications.

Methodology

A review of the English literature from 2003 to 2013 was performed using the databases PubMed (NML), OVID Medline and Google Scholar.

Results and conclusion

Keyworkers can help overcome professional culture barriers that result from ineffective team communication. Facilitating improved communication regarding professional roles fosters mutual understanding among team members. The dissemination of relevant and timely information minimises fragmentation, prompting team decision-making and promotes continuity of high-quality palliative care.

Keywords

advanced practicecancerinterdisciplinarykeyworkerpalliative careprofessional cultureradiotherapy
Type
Literature Reviews
Information
Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice , Volume 13 , Issue 4 , December 2014 , pp. 465 - 472
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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