Palliative medicine
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Palliative medicine · Mar 2021
The role, impact, and support of informal caregivers in the delivery of palliative care for patients with advanced cancer: A multi-country qualitative study.
Cancer is increasing in its prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa. Informal caregivers are key to supporting engagement and interaction with palliative care services, but limited literature on their role impedes development of supportive interventions. ⋯ The role of informal caregivers is multi-faceted, with participants reporting taking care of the majority of medical, physical, financial, and emotional needs of the care recipient, often in the face of sacrifices relating to employment, finances, and their own health and social life. Efforts to develop comprehensive cancer control plans in sub-Saharan Africa must take account of the increasing evidence of informal caregiver needs.
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Palliative medicine · Mar 2021
Caring, sharing, preparing and declaring: how do hospices support prisons to provide palliative and end of life care? A qualitative descriptive study using telephone interviews.
Older adults in prison have complex healthcare needs, and many will need palliative care before their sentence ends. Compared with prison-based hospices, little is known about the role played by community-based hospices in providing palliative care to people in prison. ⋯ There are differences and similarities in the way countries provide palliative care to people in prison: many are similar to Scotland in that they do not operate prison-based hospices. Variations exist in the level of support hospices provide. Ensuring that all people in prison have equitable access to palliative care will require close collaboration between prisons and hospices on a national level.
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Palliative medicine · Mar 2021
Legacy perceptions and interventions for adults and children receiving palliative care: A systematic review.
Legacy has been invoked as a means for strengthening human attachments, continuing bonds, and ensuring that individuals will be remembered; however, little is known about the spectrum of approaches to, outcomes associated with, and best practices for legacy interventions. ⋯ Though future research with high-quality, experimental designs is needed, the positive outcomes associated with legacy interventions are documented in adult patient populations; additionally, the application of legacy interventions for children with serious illnesses receiving palliative care is reasonable based on the existing body of evidence. A consistent and operational concept of legacy is still needed for future research and practice.
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Palliative medicine · Mar 2021
Factors associated with health professionals decision to initiate paediatric advance care planning: A systematic integrative review.
Advance care planning for children with palliative care needs is an emotionally, legally and complex aspect of care, advocated as beneficial to children, families and health professionals. Evidence suggests healthcare professionals often avoid or delay initiation. An overview of evidence on the factors that influence and impact on the health care professional's initiation of paediatric advance care planning process is lacking. ⋯ This review provides insights into the complexities and factors surrounding the initiation of advance care planning in paediatric practice. Uncertainty regarding prognosis, responsibility and unpredictable parental reactions result in inconsistent practice. Future research is required to inform intervention to assist health care professionals when initiating paediatric advance care planning conversations.