Palliative medicine
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Palliative medicine · Jul 2012
The personal value of being a palliative care Community Volunteer Worker in Uganda: a qualitative study.
Volunteers in palliative care play a key role, particularly in the hospice setting. The expansion of palliative care into developing countries has been accompanied by the emergence of volunteer workers, who are providing a main source of support and care for patients, many of whom never see a health professional. ⋯ This model of volunteering is clearly having an impact on the volunteers, both personally and also in terms of how they are treated in their communities. Further research to explore the long-term personal benefits of being a palliative care volunteer is recommended.
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Palliative medicine · Jul 2012
Development of a nationwide consensus syllabus of palliative medicine for undergraduate medical education in Japan: a modified Delphi method.
There is currently no consensus syllabus of palliative medicine for undergraduate medical education in Japan, although the Cancer Control Act proposed in 2007 covers the dissemination of palliative care. ⋯ A consensus syllabus of palliative medicine for undergraduate medical education was developed using a clear and innovative methodology. The final consensus syllabus will be made available for further dissemination of palliative care education throughout the country.
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Palliative medicine · Jul 2012
An uncertain future: the unchanging views of care home residents about living and dying.
Older people living in a care home have a limited life expectancy, and care homes are an important setting for end-of-life care provision. ⋯ Core to the older person's ability to discuss end-of-life care is their acceptance of being in a care home, the involvement of family members in making decisions and the extent to which they believed they could influence decision making within their everyday lives. Advance care plans should document ongoing dialogue. These findings can inform how primary health and palliative care services introduce, discuss and tailor existing frameworks and programmes of end-of-life care.
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Palliative medicine · Jul 2012
What are cancer patients' experiences and preferences for the provision of written information in the palliative care setting? A focus group study.
Whilst there is a wide range of literature pertaining to the need for excellent verbal communication within the palliative care setting, there is a paucity of research designed to identify the written informational needs of such patients. ⋯ Written information needs for this patient group vary greatly, sometimes in ways which can be predicted. Using a patient-centred approach to elicit information around an individual's coping strategies, desire for knowledge and empowerment may be helpful. The data supports a proactive approach to making available (to those who want them) clear, concise and attractive leaflets.