The American journal of hospice & palliative care
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Am J Hosp Palliat Care · Sep 2011
ReviewCross-cultural communication and use of the family meeting in palliative care.
Terminally-ill patients and their families often report poor communication and limited understanding of the patient's diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment plan; these deficits can be exacerbated by cross-cultural issues. Although family meetings are frequently recommended to facilitate provider-family communication, a more structured, evidence-based approach to their use may improve outcomes. Drawing on research and guidelines from critical care, palliative care, and cross-cultural communication, we propose a framework for conducting family meetings with consideration for cross-cultural issues.
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Am J Hosp Palliat Care · Sep 2011
Caregiver evaluation in hospice: application of a semi-structured interview.
In this study we report the results of construction and administration of a semi-structured interview for the evaluation of caregivers in hospice. The results presented here are related to interviews (n = 25) that were administered at Rimini Hospice. ⋯ As concerning the care burden, greater distress was detected in areas relating to the change in the rhythm of life (38%) and in social network (26%); whereas, as concerning the psychological burden, a greater distress was detected in the area related to the caregiver role (51%). In conclusion, a singular element identified as a source of distress in, our study, is that of social network.
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Am J Hosp Palliat Care · Sep 2011
A spider in the web: role of the palliative care nurse specialist in Uganda--an ethnographic field study.
Palliative care is not a priority in developing countries. Hospice Africa Uganda (HAU), where nurses complete a course in clinical palliative care, is considered a model for other African countries. ⋯ The role of the palliative care nurse specialist is multifaceted. Beyond prescribing drugs, their role is to deliver holistic care. They encounter numerous challenges in their work, but they also have the possibility to improve the quality of the patient's life.
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Am J Hosp Palliat Care · Sep 2011
How they cope: a qualitative study of the coping skills of hospice volunteers.
The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the coping techniques utilized by hospice volunteers. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 hospice volunteers who had at least 1 year of experience, working as a hospice volunteer with direct patient care. ⋯ The most significant coping mechanism utilized for the volunteer was talking with the volunteer coordinator. Implications for hospice volunteer coordinators are also discussed.
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Am J Hosp Palliat Care · Sep 2011
Trends in hospice utilization across age among the veteran population.
Hospice is a major expansion area within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). The objective of this retrospective study was to explore trends in hospice utilization among older veterans receiving services at the end of life over a 4-year (2006-2009) time period. ⋯ More funds were spent on younger veterans, with an average of $1.5 million spent on veterans aged 55 to 64 and less than $400,000 spent on veterans aged 85 and older. Findings highlight the growing need and demand for hospice within the VHA to provide end-of-life services.