Palliative medicine
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Palliative medicine · Dec 2018
Psychological morbidity and general health among family caregivers during end-of-life cancer care: A retrospective census survey.
Family carers provide vital support for patients towards end-of-life, but caregiving has considerable impact on carers' own health. The scale of this problem is unknown, as previous research has involved unrepresentative samples or failed to fully capture caregiving close to death. ⋯ Levels of psychological morbidity among family carers during end-of-life caregiving are far higher than indicated by previous research, indicating a substantial public health problem. Consistent assessment and support for carers to prevent breakdown in caregiving may produce cost savings in long term.
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Palliative medicine · Dec 2018
Quality of care for the dying across different levels of palliative care development: A population-based cohort study.
There is a lack of knowledge about how the provision and availability of specialized palliative care relates to the quality of dying in hospital and community-based settings. ⋯ The capacity of specialized palliative care does not per se influence the quality of care during the last week of life for patients in other settings.
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Palliative medicine · Dec 2018
Research prioritisation exercises related to the care of children and young people with life-limiting conditions, their parents and all those who care for them: A systematic scoping review.
In planning high-quality research in any aspect of care for children and young people with life-limiting conditions, it is important to prioritise resources in the most appropriate areas. ⋯ There are numerous similar and overlapping research prioritisation exercises related to children and young people with life-limiting conditions. By mapping existing research priorities in the context in which they were set, we highlight areas to focus research efforts on. Further priority setting is not required at this time unless devoted to ascertaining families' perspectives.
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Palliative medicine · Dec 2018
Does advance care planning in addition to usual care reduce hospitalisation for patients with advanced heart failure: A systematic review and narrative synthesis.
People with advanced heart failure have repeated hospital admissions. Advance care planning can support patient preferences, but studies in people with heart failure have not been assessed. ⋯ Advance care planning as part of specialist palliative care reduces hospitalisation. Preliminary studies of planning integrated into generic care, accessing specialist palliative care support if needed, are promising.