Publications by authors named "Tara Devi Laabar"
Palliative Care Services in Bhutan: Current Progress and Future Needs.
Indian J Palliat Care
December 2024
Palliative care (PC) is a young concept in Bhutan. Since the establishment of home-based PC services at the national referral hospital of Bhutan for the residents of Thimphu City in 2018, many patients have benefitted. The need for PC in Bhutan is huge and urgent.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The need for palliative care is ever-increasing globally. However, it is least developed or not available in most low-and-middle-income-countries including Bhutan.
Objective: This study was aimed at exploring the perspectives of Bhutanese healthcare professionals on the need for palliative care in the country.
Article Synopsis
- Palliative care is focused on relieving suffering from life-limiting illnesses but is underdeveloped in low- and middle-income countries like Bhutan.
- The study surveyed Bhutanese healthcare professionals through discussions and interviews to gather insights on implementing effective palliative care in the country.
- Key findings emphasized the need for appropriate policies, education, and a well-trained multidisciplinary team, highlighting the importance of culturally sensitive approaches in delivering palliative care services in Bhutan.
The demand for palliative care (PC) is ever-increasing globally. The emergence of COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated the need for PC. In the lower-income countries (LICs), where PC need is highest, PC, the most humane, appropriate and realistic approach to care for patients and families affected by life-limiting illness, is minimal or non-existent.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPalliative care aims to improve the quality of life of patients diagnosed with an advanced illness and their families. Family members, who often play a central role caring for their very ill loved ones, have significant support needs. In Bhutan, where palliative care is an emerging concept, the needs of family members have not been assessed thus far.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Palliative care significantly enhances the lives of patients and families dealing with advanced illnesses, but it remains largely unavailable in many developing countries, including Bhutan.
- The study utilized a structured survey, incorporating the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire, to assess the palliative care needs among 93 patients with advanced illnesses in various healthcare settings across Bhutan.
- Results showed that a majority of participants experienced high symptom burdens, including pain and fatigue, highlighting an urgent need for a tailored palliative care model to address these needs in Bhutan.