Palliative medicine
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Palliative medicine · Sep 1997
Palliative care in a multicultural society: perceptions of health care professionals.
This study assesses the perceived competence of 191 Australian palliative care professionals in delivering crosscultural care. The relationship between the perceived competence levels of professionals and their experience and training is examined. ⋯ The results of this study suggest that specific education, rather than individual experience of crosscultural interactions, which may not always be positive, is needed to improve the competence of palliative care professionals. Education, therefore, is the key to the provision of culturally appropriate care to patients and their families from all cultural backgrounds.
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Palliative medicine · Sep 1997
Organization and patients' perception of palliative care: a crosscultural comparison.
The hospice model of care for patients with advanced diseases exists in almost all industrialized countries. To date, there have been no international or crosscultural comparisons of the organization and patient outcomes associated with hospice services in different parts of the world. ⋯ Across all countries, there were similar levels of comfort and satisfaction with care. We conclude that the hospice philosophy addresses the basic needs of dying patients which are independent of cultural background, but may be adapted to very different cultures.
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The aim of this research was to describe the distribution of place of death for cancer. An analysis of place of death for all 831 cancer deaths in 1995 among Doncaster Health Authority's residents was carried out. The data were extracted using the Public Health Mortality File. ⋯ Social class III with 24% of all cancer deaths contributed 58% of hospice deaths, only 9% of hospital deaths and 35% of home deaths. Social classes IV and V with 61% of cancer deaths contributed only 18% of hospice deaths, 77% of hospital deaths and 53% of home deaths. The reasons for these differences may be to do with access to services, perceptions of different services by patients and general practitioners and the availability of social support within different sections of the community.
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Seventeen terminally ill cancer patients with primary or secondary intrathoracic malignancy complaining of breathlessness were treated with nebulized morphine in doses of 20 mg 4-hourly for 48 h. The effect on dyspnoea was evaluated using the Dyspnoea Assessment Questionnaire. Most patients felt less dyspnoeic after 24 h; the effect was maintained, but not improved upon, after 48 h.