Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · May 2018
ReviewCurrent Best Practices for Sexual and Gender Minorities in Hospice and Palliative Care Settings.
Although several publications document the health care disparities experienced by sexual and gender minorities (SGMs), including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals,1e4 less is known about the experiences and outcomes for SGM families and individuals in hospice and palliative care (HPC) settings. This article provides a brief overview of issues pertaining to SGMs in HPC settings, highlighting gaps in knowledge and research. Current and best practices for SGM individuals and their families in HPC settings are described, as are recommendations for improving the quality of such care.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · May 2018
Family Meetings in Inpatient Specialist Palliative Care: A Mechanism to Convey Empathy.
Family meetings are increasingly used in palliative care, yet have little empirical evidence of their impact in inpatient settings. ⋯ Family meetings improve reported empathy. It would be beneficial to have more specific preparation and planning by the clinical team for meetings with people who have a history of familial conflict, and those where the staff's agenda is around discharge planning. Published guidelines could be adapted to better support staff to run meetings where there are complex family dynamics. Adoption of family meetings in outpatient settings has the potential to improve perceptions of empathy with a larger patient group.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · May 2018
Randomized Controlled TrialThe Long-Term Impact of Neurofeedback on Symptom Burden and Interference in Patients With Chronic Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy: Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial.
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common side effect of cancer treatment and may adversely affect quality of life (QOL) for years. ⋯ NFB appears to result in long-term reduction in multiple CIPN symptoms and improved postchemotherapy QOL and fatigue.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · May 2018
Factors Affecting Palliative Care Development in Africa: In-Country Experts' Perceptions in Seven Countries.
Factors contributing to and impeding palliative care (PC) development in Africa can provide insights into current strategies for advancing PC. ⋯ The key factors underpinning PC development in the seven countries contributed to the beginnings of PC in Africa, fueled by advocates who built on existing strengths to maximize opportunities. However, the current approach is at high risk in terms of its sustainability, and strategies for maximizing existing resources and growing infrastructure support are needed moving forward.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · May 2018
Culture and Palliative Care: Preferences, Communication, Meaning, and Mutual Decision Making.
Palliative care is gaining acceptance across the world. However, even when palliative care resources exist, both the delivery and distribution of services too often are neither equitably nor acceptably provided to diverse population groups. The goal of this study was to illustrate tensions in the delivery of palliative care for diverse patient populations to help clinicians to improve care for all. ⋯ We then present examples from an integrative literature review of recent research on culture and palliative care to illustrate both how and why varied responses to pain and suffering occur in different patterns, focusing on four areas of palliative care: the formation of care preferences, communication patterns, different meanings of suffering, and decision-making processes about care. For each area, we provide international and multiethnic examples of variations that emphasize the need for personalization of care and the avoidance of stereotyping beliefs and practices without considering individual circumstances and life histories. We conclude with recommendations for improving palliative care research and practice with cultural perspectives, emphasizing the need to work in partnerships with patients, their family members, and communities to identify and negotiate culturally meaningful care, promote quality of life, and ensure the highest quality palliative care for all, both domestically and internationally.