Palliative medicine
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Palliative medicine · Mar 2014
White paper defining optimal palliative care in older people with dementia: a Delphi study and recommendations from the European Association for Palliative Care.
Dementia is a life-limiting disease without curative treatments. Patients and families may need palliative care specific to dementia. ⋯ We have provided the first definition of palliative care in dementia based on evidence and consensus, a framework to provide guidance for clinical practice, policy and research.
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Palliative medicine · Mar 2014
After-hours physician care for patients with do-not-resuscitate orders: an observational cohort study.
Medical care at night for patients with do-not-resuscitate orders and the practice patterns of the on-call residents have rarely been reported. ⋯ Abnormal vital sign, rather than symptom, was the leading reason for after-hours calls. The existence of do-not-resuscitate order produced different medical needs and physician workload. Patients with do-not-resuscitate orders accounted for one-third of night calls and nearly half of bedside visits by on-call residents and may require a different care approach.
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Palliative medicine · Mar 2014
Observations of professional-patient relationships: a mixed-methods study exploring whether familiarity is a condition for nurses' provision of psychosocial support.
There is a popular belief that the professional-patient relationship is a prerequisite in the provision of psychosocial support. Studies suggest that professionals must know, or be familiar with, a patient in order to effectively provide psychosocial support. ⋯ Psychosocial support can be provided on a patient's first contact with a clinician and does not rely on building a professional-patient relationship. This suggests that high-quality psychosocial care can be provided in the short time frame available to palliative care clinicians.
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Palliative medicine · Mar 2014
Dying at home: a qualitative study of the perspectives of older South Asians living in the United Kingdom.
South Asians constitute the single largest ethnic minority group in the United Kingdom, yet little is known about their perspectives on, and experiences of, end-of-life care. ⋯ Older people of South Asian ethnicity living in East London perceive home as more than a physical location for dying relatives. They make efforts to adhere, and also adapt, to important social and cultural values relating to death and dying as part of the wider challenge of living in an emigrant society.
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Palliative medicine · Mar 2014
Exploring public awareness and perceptions of palliative care: a qualitative study.
Research suggests that the public appear to be confused about the meaning of palliative care. Given the ageing population and associated increase in the number of patients requiring palliative care, it is vital to explore the public's understanding of this concept. Health-promoting palliative care seeks to translate hospice and palliative care ideals into broader public health practice. ⋯ Experience of palliative care generates understanding in the general public who also have ideas for increasing knowledge and awareness. The findings can inform policymakers about strategies to raise public awareness of palliative care.