Effect of Implementation of Palliative Care Program on Quality of Life for Elderly Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence is growing especially in elderly, and \nadversely affects quality of life (QOL). The increased access to palliative care services will be \nhelpful for the elderly population. Aim: Determine the effect of implementation of palliative care \nprogram on the quality of life for elderly peoples with hepatocellular carcinoma. Design: the \nresearcher used quasi-experimental research design. Setting: outpatient clinics at Gastrointestinal \nSurgery Center (GISC) hepatology unit affiliated to Mansoura University, Dakahlia governorate, \nEgypt. Subjects: The study subjects included a random convenience sampling of 72 HCC elderly \npatients of both sex diagnosed at least 6 months. Tools: Data collection is done by two tools namely \nPatients interview schedule sheet (elderly Socio-Demographic and Health Relevant Characteristics) \nand Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy- For elderly patients with Hepatobiliary cancer \n(FACT-Hep) Version4: Results: the age of the studied participants ranged from 60 to above 70 \nyears. The elderly patient in study group total quality of life scores increased significantly in post \none and post two follow up and palliative care program (P=0.000), while no improvement was \nobserved in the control group. Conclusion: the QOL of elderly patients with HCC is improved by \nimplementation of palliative care program. Recommendation: distribution of developed illustrated \npalliative care program booklet to all elderly patients and their families at Mansoura University \nHospitals and Centers should be done