Palliative care (PC) patients and families have diverse psychosocial needs. Support in this context is multidimensional. A tiered support framework could enable PC professionals to address these needs effectively. This study presents part of a research initiative to develop and evaluate a tiered model of psychosocial support in PC for adult patients. The current phase of the project focuses on enhancing the preliminary model in cancer care. The objective was to assess how PC patients and professionals would develop the applicability of the framework. A qualitative study using participatory research events with the World Café method was conducted. Participants were recruited in collaboration with a cancer centre and professional and patient societies. The eligible participants were patients with metastatic cancer and professionals with experience in caring for them. The SWOT analysis facilitated data collection and, with the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, guided abductive analysis. Five research events, onsite and online, with 44 participants (10 patients and 34 professionals) were conducted. From the perspectives of patients and professionals, the strengths and opportunities of the framework's applicability lie in the quality and delivery of care, while the weaknesses and threats lie in its comprehensiveness, resources, care delivery, and skills. To improve applicability, the framework’s description should be refined, and factors like care quality, systemic issues, environment, individuals, implementation, and collaboration need consideration. The evaluated model demonstrates potential to improve care quality, service implementation, and organisational development for delivering psychosocial support in cancer PC. Our results provide justification and valuable information for further development . Implementation will require leadership and understanding of complex systems from all involved. The framework may offer structure for professionals to provide adequate support to patients and their families. It is essential to ensure a well-managed implementation of the framework. • Participants assessed the new Psychosocial Support Framework for Palliative Care . • The framework should empower patients and families without overwhelming them. • The framework's applicability should be refined to enable tailored support. • Implementors of the framework need the ability to lead and manage a complex system. • The framework may help in providing psychosocial support in palliative cancer care.
Mikkonen et al. (Wed,) studied this question.