Impacto dos programas de cuidados paliativos na comunidade nos resultados económicos
: uma revisão scoping

Translated title of the thesis: Impact of community palliative care programs on economic outcomes: a scoping review
  • Maria Isabel Bessa Cruz de Sá e Lucas (Student)

Student thesis: Master's Thesis

Abstract

Introduction: Healthcare institutions worldwide have increasingly implemented community-based Palliative Care (PC) programs, following the recommendations of the World Health Organization to ensure their accessibility and sustainability. These programs have demonstrated improvements in patients' quality of life and a reduction in caregiver burden. However, while there are studies that analyze the clinical effectiveness of community-based PC, few address its economic impact. Methodology: According to the guidelines of the Joanna Briggs Institute, the scoping review adopted a three-phase search strategy aimed at mapping the existing literature on the economic outcomes of community-based PC programs. The research, conducted in 2024, covered five databases (PubMed, CINAHL, PsycArticles, Scopus, and Web of Science) and included studies in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. All identified keywords and indexing terms were included (e.g., Concept – Cost*; Concept – "Home Palliative Care"). Two independent reviewers analyzed the results, with a third reviewer intervening in cases of disagreement. Results: Out of an initial total of 2,209 articles, 25 articles published between 1992 and 2024 were included. The findings suggest that community-based PC programs reduce both average and overall healthcare costs, while also having a positive impact on the use of hospital care, hospitalizations, emergency department visits, symptom management, patient performance evaluation, and place of death. Conclusions: Community-based PC programs appear to generate significant economic benefits. However, there is considerable variability in the economic evaluation methods used in the studies, making comparisons difficult. Standardization is necessary, along with studies in low- and middle-income countries, and evaluations of the long-term economic impact of these programs.
Date of Award27 Nov 2024
Original languagePortuguese
Awarding Institution
  • Universidade Católica Portuguesa
SupervisorManuel Luís Capelas (Supervisor)

Keywords

  • Home based palliative Care
  • Cost
  • Economic evaluation
  • Palliative home care

Designation

  • Mestrado em Cuidados Paliativos

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