Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Mar 2014
Multicenter Study Observational StudyAssessment of reasons for referral and activities of hospital palliative care teams using a standard format: a multicenter 1000 case description.
The many benefits of hospital palliative care teams (PCTs) are well known. However, their specific activities have not been fully clarified, and no standardized methods for reporting PCT activities are available. ⋯ The components of hospital PCT activities were successfully measured using the Standard Format for Reporting Hospital PCT Activity. The results of this study and the format for reporting hospital PCT activity could be effective in improving hospital PCT practice and for the education of new hospital PCT members.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Mar 2014
ReviewPediatric palliative care in sub-saharan Africa: a systematic review of the evidence for care models, interventions, and outcomes.
The progressive disease burden among children in sub-Saharan Africa means the provision of palliative care is essential and should be provided alongside treatment where it is available. ⋯ Pediatric palliative care is a pressing clinical and public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. Explicit evidence-based models of service development, patient assessment, and evidence for control of prevalent problems (physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and developmental) are urgently needed. Greater research activity is urgently required to ensure an evidence-based response to the enormous need for pediatric palliative care in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Although quality end-of-life care provision is an international public health issue, the majority of evidence is not generated in low- and middle-income countries that bear a disproportionate burden of progressive illnesses. ⋯ This study identified a number of areas that need to be pursued in future research to explore factors that may affect patient preferences and priorities in end-of-life care in Namibia.