Palliative medicine
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Palliative medicine · Jun 2017
Randomized Controlled TrialFeasibility of assessing patients' acceptable pain in a randomized controlled trial on a patient pain education program.
For patients with cancer-related pain, the numeric rating scale is the most frequently used instrument to measure pain intensity. In the literature, it has been suggested to interpret patient-reported ratings of pain in relation to the pain intensity which is acceptable to the individual patient. ⋯ Measurement of acceptable pain intensity is feasible. Patients with additional pain treatment became more critical and accepted less pain. More research is needed before we can use acceptable pain intensity as a reference for the interpretation of pain ratings.
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Palliative medicine · Jun 2017
'It's not all just about the dying'. Kaumātua Māori attitudes towards physician aid-in dying: A narrative enquiry.
To explore kaumātua attitudes towards physician aid-in dying, to gain a clear understanding of how such attitudes may influence and shape their expectations of medical care at the end of life and to assist health professionals in Aotearoa/New Zealand to address the healthcare needs of older Māori near the end of life. ⋯ The study demonstrated that for these kaumātua, medical practices that hasten death such as physician aid-in dying are 'not all just about the dying'. Tikanga and kawa are important processes and concepts to understand during death and dying, and whānau are central to such processes being respected by those involved in the dying process. These factors are so closely intertwined that they cannot be considered in separation of each other.
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Palliative medicine · Jun 2017
From neighbour to carer: An exploratory study on the role of non-kin-carers in end-of-life care at home for older people living alone.
A growing number of older people are living in single households. They form a disadvantaged group within society as regards staying at home, most likely towards the end-of-life. It is mainly non-kin-carers who try to fulfil older people's desire for a home death, but very little is known about the challenges they face during their involvement. ⋯ Support of older people living alone, in particular until the last stage of life, comes along with multiple efforts. Respectful and supporting relationships between professional carers and non-kin-carers are vital to keep non-kin-carers involved.
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Palliative medicine · May 2017
Review Meta AnalysisExperiences and perspectives of older people regarding advance care planning: A meta-synthesis of qualitative studies.
Studies have indicated that family members or health professionals may not know or predict their older relatives' or patients' health preferences. Although advance care planning is encouraged for older people to prepare end-of-life care, it is still challenging. ⋯ Older people's perspectives and experiences of advance care planning were varied and often conflicted; cultural differences amplified variances among older people. Truthful information, available resources, and family support are needed to enable older people to maintain dignity at the end of life. The views of life and death for older people from different cultures should be compared to assist health professionals to understand older people's attitudes toward advance care planning, and thus to develop appropriate strategies to promote advance care planning in different cultures.
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Palliative medicine · May 2017
ReviewThe under reporting of recruitment strategies in research with children with life-threatening illnesses: A systematic review.
Researchers report difficulties in conducting research with children and young people with life-limiting conditions or life-threatening illnesses and their families. Recruitment is challenged by barriers including ethical, logistical and clinical considerations. ⋯ All stages of recruitment were under reported. Transparency in reporting of participant identification, invitation and consent is needed to enable researchers to understand research implications, bias risk and to whom results apply. Research is needed to explore why consenting participants decide to take part or not and their experiences of research recruitment.