title: Supporting Family Caregivers With Palliative Symptom Management: A Qualitative Analysis of the Provision of an Emergency Medication Kit in the Home Setting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this qualitative analysis was to examine the experiences of family caregivers supporting a dying person in the home setting. In particular, it explores caregivers' perceptions of receiving palliative care at home when supplied with an emergency medication kit (EMK).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most family caregivers described preexisting medication management strategies that were unable to provide timely intervention in symptoms. The EMK was largely viewed as an effective strategy in providing timely symptom control and preventing readmission to inpatient care. Caregivers reported varying levels of confidence in the administration of medication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The provision of an EMK is an effective strategy for improving symptom control and preventing inpatient admissions of home-dwelling palliative care patients.
authors.affiliation: Formerly Calvary Centre for Palliative Care Research, Australian Catholic University, Watson, Australian Capital Territory, Australia Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia jprosenberg@bigpond.com.
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Rosenberg
authors.affiliation: Formerly Calvary Centre for Palliative Care Research, Australian Catholic University, Watson, Australian Capital Territory, Australia Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University, Watson, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
authors.forename: Tracey
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bullen
authors.affiliation: Palliative Care, Clare Holland House, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Maher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000070659:Patient Comfort; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D036301:Qualitative Research
chemical_list: D055553:Prescription Drugs
keywords: caregiver; emergency medication; home care; palliative care; personal narratives; qualitative research