The model and elements of palliative care for patients with terminal illness: A systematic review

Backgorund: Many models of palliative care have already been implemented, however, a model of health care cannot be directly applied in a country because of the differences in socio-cultural, disease patterns and health systems within the country. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review to analyze models of palliative care and elements of model for palliative care.  Methods: A systematic review was conducted. Articles were searched by four electronic databases; PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid and NICE Database. Three reviewers screened the search results and data were classified according to their main objective. Further synthesize was conducted to show element and model of care.  Results: The initial search strategy identified 218. Based on Hawker quality assessment scale, only 14 articles met criteria for review and synthesis. Out of 14, 4 articles describe palliative care for chronic disease (heart failure, end stage renal disease) and 10 for cancer. The integrated palliative care model has been the most frequently described. The other models are respite care, care-aide and personal alarm model, family centered advanced care, and end of life care for young adults. This systematic review also identified elements of model for palliative care and categorized as element from patient and family, personnel and health care system. Conclusion: A few studies are describing a model of palliative care and elements of model for palliative care in detail. More detailed methodological and population specifications are needed to accurately find the results.