Palliative medicine
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Palliative medicine · Jul 2021
Conserving dignity and facilitating adaptation to dependency with intimate hygiene for people with advanced disease: A qualitative study.
People at the end of life experience increased dependence with self-care as disease progresses, including care with intimate hygiene. Dependence with intimate hygiene has been identified as a factor that may compromise dignity at the end of life. However, adaption to increased dependency and subsequent impact on dignity with intimate hygiene is an under-researched area. ⋯ Adaptation to increased dependence with intimate hygiene is facilitated by enabling moments of micro-competence and agency over how care is received. Carers play a pivotal role in compromising or conserving the dignity with intimate hygiene at the end of life.
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Palliative medicine · Jul 2021
'It's almost superstition: If I don't think about it, it won't happen'. Public knowledge and attitudes towards advance care planning: A sequential mixed methods study.
Internationally, participation in advance care planning is low. Whilst a community action approach is advocated, what the public know and understand about advance care planning is unknown. ⋯ Advance care planning was recognised as important despite limited awareness, lack of knowledge and misperceptions. Whilst a community action approach to enhance understanding and engagement was supported, a 'one size fits all' approach will not work; rather bespoke targeting is required with educational and media messaging aligned.
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Palliative medicine · Jul 2021
Health and social care professionals' experiences of providing end of life care during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study.
Health and social care professionals' ability to address the needs of patients and their relatives at end of life is likely to have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. ⋯ There is a need for flexible visiting arrangements at end of life during a pandemic. A systems-level approach is necessary to promote the wellbeing of health and social care professionals providing end of life care during and after a pandemic.