Palliative medicine
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Palliative medicine · Oct 2010
ReviewA systematic review of instruments related to family caregivers of palliative care patients.
Support for family caregivers is a core function of palliative care. However, there is a lack of consistency in the way needs are assessed, few longitudinal studies to examine the impact of caregiving, and a dearth of evidence-based interventions. In order to help redress this situation, identification of suitable instruments to examine the caregiving experience and the effectiveness of interventions is required. ⋯ Where psychometric results were reported, validity data were reported in less than half (42%) of these cases. While a considerable variety of instruments have been administered to family caregivers, the validity of some of these requires further consideration. We recommend that others be judicious before developing new instruments for this population.
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Palliative medicine · Oct 2010
Multicenter StudyLearning from dying patients during their final days: life reflections gleaned from dignity therapy.
Dignity therapy is a novel therapeutic approach designed to decrease suffering, enhance quality of life and bolster a sense of dignity for patients approaching death. The benefits of dignity therapy were previously documented in a sample of 100 terminally ill patients. One of the products of dignity therapy is a transcript of the edited therapy session(s). ⋯ The most common values expressed by the patients included 'Family', 'Pleasure', 'Caring', 'A Sense of Accomplishment', 'True Friendship', and 'Rich Experience'. Exemplars of each of these values illustrate the pervasive, defining role of values in our lives. The findings are discussed in terms of values theory, the role of dignity therapy, and consideration of values clarification in clinicians' efforts to enhance the dignity of terminally ill patients.
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Palliative medicine · Oct 2010
Reliability testing of the FAMCARE-2 scale: measuring family carer satisfaction with palliative care.
Measuring carers' perceived satisfaction with services is crucial if services are going to continually improve their responsiveness to the needs of those they serve. The aim of this study was to assess the reliability of the next generation FAMCARE tool, which was adapted to reflect inpatient and team-based care using palliative care services who are participating in the Australian Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration. FAMCARE-2 was distributed to a consecutive cohort of carers whilst in the caregiving role nationally. ⋯ Results of the survey indicated satisfaction with service provision across the FAMCARE-2 subscales. Older, female carers without a culturally and linguistically diverse background were more satisfied with service provision. We conclude that FAMCARE-2 is a psychometrically sound instrument useful for measuring family carer satisfaction with service provision in a variety of palliative care settings.
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Terminally ill cancer patients are considered at high risk for pressure ulcers because of their clinical condition. However, in Italy, data about pressure ulcers and their prevalence are insufficient. ⋯ Karnofsky Performance Scale Index scores, age and length of the stay were significantly related to the pressure sore development. These results support the need to focus attention on pressure ulcers prevention and treatment in terminally ill cancer patients, and to further define specific guidelines aimed at warranting patients' comfort and quality of life.