Background Oral problems are very common in palliative patients and have a huge impact on the quality of life of patients and families. A common complication in these patients and one of the most prevalent and significant problems is xerostomia. Xerostomia influences the taste and tolerance of some foods impacting the appetite and the ability to talk and social interaction, inducing distress. In this context, healthcare professionals should promote oral care to relieve and control symptoms to comfort palliative patients. This study aims to map the literature on how patients receiving palliative care are treated for xerostomia.
Methods Scoping review will be carried out according to Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. A set of relevant electronic databases and grey literature will be searched. This scoping review will consider any quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods study and systematic review designs for inclusion, focusing on how palliative care patients are treated for xerostomia.
Conclusion This scoping review will be the first to map evidence on xerostomia in palliative patients, specifically how to diagnose and treat these patients. Moreover, the review will also take a wide variety of healthcare settings, interventions and their characteristics, and study designs into account.