Palliative medicine
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Palliative medicine · Sep 2013
The nature of, and reasons for, 'inappropriate' hospitalisations among patients with palliative care needs: a qualitative exploration of the views of generalist palliative care providers.
Recent studies have concluded that there is significant potential to reduce the extent of 'inappropriate' hospitalisations among patients with palliative care needs. However, the nature of, and reasons for, inappropriate hospitalisations within a palliative care context is under-explored. ⋯ On the basis of our findings, we recommend a shift to the term 'potentially avoidable' admission rather than 'inappropriate admission'. We also identify an urgent need for debate regarding the role of the acute hospital within a palliative care context. Interventions to reduce hospital admissions within this population must target societal understandings of death and dying within the context of medicalisation, as well as take into account cultural and ethnic diversity in attitudes, if they are to be successful.
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Palliative medicine · Sep 2013
Editorial Biography Historical ArticleProfessor Geoffrey Warren Hanks (1946-2013): an appreciation of his contribution to Palliative Medicine.
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Palliative medicine · Jul 2013
ReviewAged parents' experiences during a critical illness trajectory and after the death of an adult child: a review of the literature.
Given the growing life expectancy, the likelihood increases that health-care providers are confronted with older people having an adult child with a life-limiting disease. ⋯ There is a need for more in-depth research to understand the lived experience of these parents and what health-care providers can do to assist them.
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Palliative medicine · Jul 2013
Exploring factors and caregiver outcomes associated with feelings of preparedness for caregiving in family caregivers in palliative care: a correlational, cross-sectional study.
Family caregivers in palliative care often report feeling insufficiently prepared to handle the caregiver role. Preparedness has been confirmed as a variable that may actually protect family caregiver well-being. Preparedness refers to how ready family caregivers perceive they are for the tasks and demands in the caregiving role. ⋯ Feelings of preparedness seem to be important for how family caregivers experience the unique situation when caring for a patient who is severely ill and close to death. Our findings support the inclusion of preparedness in support models for family caregivers in palliative care. Psycho-educational interventions could preferably be designed aiming to increase family caregiver's preparedness to care, including practical care, communication and emotional support.