The American journal of hospice & palliative care
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Am J Hosp Palliat Care · Aug 2014
A survey of the use of complementary and alternative medicine in Illinois hospice and palliative care organizations.
This research assesses complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use and administration for patients and family caregivers in Illinois hospice and palliative care organizations. An online survey was administered to a sample of 108 contacts of Illinois organizations listed in the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization website, and 90.3% of the responding organizations offered some type of CAM. The top 5 most frequently offered CAM modalities to patients were pet therapy (64.5%), music therapy (61.3%), massage therapy (54.8%), art therapy (29.0%), and energy therapies (25.8%); these were the same top 5 offered to families but with different frequencies. Findings regarding utilization, administration, financing, and spiritual/cultural competency are discussed with policy recommendations for data collection, administrative improvements, and integration of CAM providers into service delivery.
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Am J Hosp Palliat Care · Aug 2014
What bereavement follow-up does family members request in Japanese palliative care units? A qualitative study.
There is no standardized method by which bereavement care is offered by hospice/palliative care units (PCUs) in Japan. ⋯ Memorial services were positively evaluated for the following variables: reunion and interaction with staff; the service's relaxed atmosphere; staff attentiveness; suitable location; suitable timing; program content; and interaction with other bereaved families. Memorial cards were positively evaluated regarding the level of concern shown by the staff and the personalized card. Respondents indicated their desire for a care system, a bereaved family care program, and information services.
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Am J Hosp Palliat Care · Aug 2014
Investigations of the pediatric hospice care in Taiwan: 2005 to 2010.
The utilization of pediatric hospice care remains unclear in Taiwan. ⋯ Pediatric hospice care revealed characteristics different from adults. Underlying late referrals were prevalent. There is space to promote the utilization of hospices for terminally ill pediatric patients.
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This exploratory study investigated meaning in life (MiL) in patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). In the "Schedule for Meaning in Life Evaluation" (SMiLE), respondents list individual MiL areas before rating their current satisfaction and importance with them (index of weighting [IoW], index of satisfaction [IoS], and index of weighted satisfaction [IoWS], range 0-100). ⋯ Compared to healthy individuals, patients with PSP were less likely to list health (P = .001) and more likely to list partner (P = .04), leisure (P = .01), home/garden (P = .01), and pleasure (P = .02). Patients with PSP seem to focus on supportive relationships and leisure, while the decreasing health status is becoming less important to them.
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Am J Hosp Palliat Care · Aug 2014
Revisiting perceptions of quality of hospice care: managing for the ultimate referral.
Hospice services provided in the final months of life are delivered through complex interpersonal relationships between caregivers, patients, and families. Often, service value and quality are defined by these interpersonal interactions. ⋯ The authors argue that the ultimate referral is attained when a family member observes the care of a loved one, and the family member conveys a desire to receive the same quality of services their loved one received at that facility. The point of this article is to provide evidence that supports the methods to ultimately enhance the patient's and family's experience and increase the potential for the ultimate referral.