Palliative medicine
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Palliative medicine · Dec 2019
Patterns of comorbidities in hospitalised cancer survivors for palliative care and associated in-hospital mortality risk: A latent class analysis of a statewide all-inclusive inpatient data.
At the end of life, cancer survivors often experience exacerbations of complex comorbidities requiring acute hospital care. Few studies consider comorbidity patterns in cancer survivors receiving palliative care. ⋯ Identification of comorbidity patterns and risk factors for in-hospital deaths in cancer patients provides an avenue to further develop appropriate palliative care strategies aimed at improving outcomes in cancer survivors.
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Palliative medicine · Dec 2019
The use of personal narratives in hospital-based palliative care interventions: An integrative literature review.
People living with life-threatening illness experience unmet existential needs despite the growing research and clinical field of palliative care. Narrative interventions show promise in managing these problems, but more knowledge is needed on the characteristics of narrative interventions and the feasibility of using personal narratives in a hospital. ⋯ Various types of systematic palliative care interventions use personal narratives. Common to these is a shared psychotherapeutic theoretical understanding and aim. Clinical application in a hospital setting is both feasible and acceptable but requires flexibility regarding the practices of the setting and the needs of the patient.
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Palliative medicine · Dec 2019
Hospitalizations of nursing home residents at the end of life: A systematic review.
End-of-life hospitalizations in nursing home residents are common, although they are often burdensome and potentially avoidable. ⋯ There is a wide variation in end-of-life hospitalizations, even between studies from the same country. Overall, such hospitalizations are common among nursing home residents, which indicates that interventions tailored to each specific health care system are needed to improve end-of-life care.
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Palliative medicine · Dec 2019
Observational StudyUse of time in people with a life-limiting illness: A longitudinal cohort feasibility pilot study.
To date, time-use studies in palliative care have been limited to exploration of time commitments of caregivers. Understanding time-use in people with a life-limiting illness might provide insight into disease progression, symptom management and quality of life. ⋯ A repeated-measures time-use study design is feasible and was not unduly burdensome for caregivers and people living with a life-limiting illness.
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Palliative medicine · Dec 2019
What influences patients' decisions regarding palliative care in advance care planning discussions? Perspectives from a qualitative study conducted with advanced cancer patients, families and healthcare professionals.
The concept of advance care planning is largely derived from Western countries. However, the decision-making process and drivers for choosing palliative care in non-Western cultures have received little attention. ⋯ Choice for palliative care among advanced cancer patients in Taiwan is influenced by three decision-making trajectories. Opinions from families are highly influential, and patients often lack information on palliative care options. Strategies to facilitate decision-making require staff confidence in end-of-life discussions, working with the patients and their family while respecting the influence of filial piety.