Frontiers in Public Health · 9 authors, 7 centres
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This scoping review identified 18 studies of public health palliative care interventions delivered by community stakeholders (volunteers, peers, community health workers) targeting people with life-limiting illness, carers, or dyads. Studies reported improvements in quality of life, loneliness, social support, stress, and self-efficacy, though heterogeneous designs and outcome measures limited synthesis.
This scoping review applied Arksey and O'Malley's methodology to identify and appraise literature on public health palliative care interventions engaging communities to support dying people and their carers. From 2,902 search results, 18 studies met inclusion criteria. Interventions were categorized by target population—people with life-limiting illness, carers, or dyads—and delivered by community health workers, volunteers, peer mentors, and pre-established support groups. Studies addressed practical needs (social interaction, symptom management), personal growth (education, reflection, self-efficacy), and community capacity building. Despite acknowledged challenges in outcome measurement, studies reported improvements in quality of life, loneliness, social support, stress, and self-efficacy. However, intervention designs, theoretical frameworks (only 8 of 18 reported one, none overlapping), mechanisms of action, and evaluation strategies were highly heterogeneous. Community engagement levels were concentrated in the middle of the spectrum, with no studies achieving empowerment-level engagement.
