Palliative medicine
-
Palliative medicine · Feb 2013
Patient-perceived usefulness and practical obstacles of patient-held records for cancer patients in Japan: OPTIM study.
Although the use of a patient-held record (PHR) for cancer patients has been introduced in many settings, little is known about the role of the PHR in palliative care settings and use in Asian cultures. ⋯ The PHR can be helpful in facilitating communication, understanding medical conditions and treatments, and facilitating end-of-life care discussion; however, for wide-spread implementation, resolving the obstacles related to both patients and health-care professionals is required.
-
Palliative medicine · Feb 2013
Higher complication risk of totally implantable venous access port systems in patients with advanced cancer - a single institution retrospective analysis.
Totally implantable port systems are generally recommended for prolonged central venous access in diverse settings, but their risk of complications remains unclear for patients with advanced cancer. ⋯ Our study indicates that totally implantable port systems yield a higher risk of complications in terminally ill patients. Further investigation should be carefully conducted to compare outcomes of various central venous access devices in patients with advanced cancer and to develop preventive strategies against catheter failure.
-
Palliative medicine · Feb 2013
Evaluating palliative care ward staffing using bed occupancy, patient dependency, staff activity, service quality and cost data.
Palliative care staffing has remained unchallenged for decades while service provision has changed markedly, bringing new workforce demands. There is little evidence to inform hospice workforce structures, which strive to deliver the highest-quality holistic care. ⋯ This dataset provides evidence-based recommendations to inform palliative care nursing workforce modelling, including deciding future nursing workforce size and mix based on rising workloads. The new dataset is suitable for use in UK hospice wards and may be appropriate for future international use.
-
Palliative medicine · Feb 2013
Issues in prognostication for hospital specialist palliative care doctors and nurses: a qualitative inquiry.
Patients with advanced life-limiting diseases have high information needs concerning prognosis yet discussions between patients and healthcare professionals are either avoided or inaccurate due to over-optimism. Available prognostic models are problematic. Literature indicates that hospital specialist palliative care professionals are frequently asked to prognosticate, although their experience of prognostication is unknown. Identifying this experience will support the development of prognosis training for hospital specialist palliative care professionals. ⋯ Findings highlight lack of evidence to support practice, and identify the complexity and emotional labour involved in prognostication by hospital specialist palliative care team members, and are used to discuss recommendations for further research and practice.