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People & Contexts | Workforce
Homecare workers needs and experiences in end of life care: rapid review

Published: Dec 2024

Authors

Catherine Forward1, Zana Bayley2, Liz Walker3, Justine Krygier4, Caroline White5, Kasonde Mwaba6, Helene Elliott-button7, Paul Taylor8, Miriam J Johnson9

1 Health and Social Care Workforce Research Unit, King's College London, London, UK   2 University of Hull, Hull, UK   3 Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Hull, Hull, Kingston Upon Hull, UK   4 Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, Kingston Upon Hull, UK   5 Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Hull, Hull, Kingston Upon Hull, UK   6 Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, Kingston Upon Hull, UK   7 Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, Kingston Upon Hull, UK   8 Sheffield Centre for Health and Related Research, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK   9 Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, Kingston Upon Hull, UK  

Abstract

Background:

Social homecare workers provide essential care to those living at home at the end of life. In the context of a service experiencing difficulties in attracting and retaining staff, we have limited knowledge about the training, support needs and experiences of this group.

Aim: 

To gain a timely understanding from the international literature of the experience, training and support needs of homecare workers providing end-of-life care.

Methods:

We conducted a rapid review and narrative synthesis using the recommendations of the Cochrane Rapid Reviews Methods Group. Building on a previous review, social homecare worker and end-of-life search terms were used to identify studies. Quality appraisal was conducted using a multimethods tool.

Data sources:

CINAHL and Medline databases (2011–2023; English language).

Results:

19 papers were included representing 2510 participants (91% women) providing new and deeper insights. Four themes were generated: (1) emotional support; homecare workers need to manage complex and distressing situations, navigating their own, their clients’ and clients’ family, emotions; (2) interaction with other social and healthcare workers; homecare workers are isolated from, and undervalued and poorly understood by the wider healthcare team; (3) training and support; recognising the deteriorating client, symptom management, practicalities around death, communications skills and supervision; (4) recognising good practice; examples of good practice exist but data regarding effectiveness or implementation of interventions are scant.

Conclusions: 

Social homecare workers are essential for end-of-life care at home but are inadequately trained, often isolated and underappreciated. Our findings are important for policy-makers addressing this crucial challenge, and service providers in social and healthcare.

Access

Web link: https://spcare.bmj.com/content/14/e3/e2330.abstract

Document:

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