Complexities and Constraints in End-of-Life Care for Hospitalized Prisoner Patients

Abstract

Context: Managing the care of an increasing and aging prisoner population, including providing palliative and end-of-life care, is a challenge worldwide. There is little known about the views of health professionals who provide palliative care to hospitalized prisoner patients. Objectives: To explore experiences and perspectives of health professionals regarding the provision of palliative and end-of-life care for hospitalized prisoner patients. Methods: A qualitative study involving semistructured focus groups and interviews with 54 medical, nursing, and allied health staff engaged in the care of hospitalized prisoner patients. Purposive sampling from a metropolitan teaching hospital respon..