Psycho-oncology
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Multicenter Study
Addressing the religious and spiritual needs of dying patients by healthcare staff in Korea: patient perspectives in a multi-religious Asian country.
We investigated how patients' spiritual and religious needs are addressed by healthcare staff in inpatient palliative care centers in Korea, a multi-religious country. ⋯ Although patients whose spiritual and religious needs were addressed by healthcare staff showed significantly better QoL, such needs were not addressed in a significant proportion of patients, especially those who were not religious or were admitted to non-religious palliative care centers. Strategies should be developed to ensure that spiritual care is provided to all patients with terminal cancer, regardless of the religious background of the patient.
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In late 2006, Cancer Care Ontario launched a quality improvement initiative to implement routine screening with the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) for cancer patients seen in fourteen Regional Cancer Centres throughout the province. ⋯ Routine physical and psychological distress screening is possible within regional cancer centres. Although considerable effort and investment is required, it is worthwhile as it helps create a culture that is more patient-centered.