Licensed from: AdobeStock 546993538
It is widely known that one’s ability to access care is not merely influenced by need, but also by socioeconomic status (SES). Across the literature, studies have shown that one’s position in society relative to others has a direct correlation to their health status and ability to access appropriate care. In hospice palliative care, differences between health outcomes and the availability of services for those of lower SES result from socioeconomic impediments.
French and colleagues (2022) conducted a mixed methods case study to explore the relationship between social deprivation and access to hospice care in the UK. To better understand these differences the authors focused on:
1. Referrals, and factors influencing access, to hospice care
2. Healthcare professionals’ experiences of providing generalist or specialist palliative care in the context of social deprivation
This study suggests that aspects related to service organization and delivery (model of care) such as relationships with hospitals and service flexibility influenced how hospices connected with individuals from of lower socioeconomic status. This study also found that understanding and provision of equitable care underpinned the local nature of social deprivation and professionals’ perception of capacity and responsibility.
In agreement with French et al., to further improve access to hospice care in socially deprived areas there must be:
• Greater understanding of the roles of hospitals and community settings
• Clarity on what constitutes equitable services, and professional development
• Further research to better understand and address factors contributing to socioeconomic differences in hospice palliative care
• Greater reflection and discussion about responsibility and choice to support professionals responding to socioeconomic inequities at the end of life
Source: French, M., Keegan, T., & Preston, N. (2022). Facilitating equitable access to hospice care in socially deprived areas: A mixed methods multiple case study. Palliative Medicine, 02692163221133977.
