Journal of palliative medicine
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There are little objective data concerning physician bereavement or other supportive interactions with the families and caregivers of deceased patients. We surveyed the physician staff of a large tertiary rural referral center in central Pennsylvania. We asked about current practices in attending former patients' funerals, family condolence visits, letter or phone contacts, as well as the desire of physicians to participate in these activities. ⋯ There was no correlation between these activities and number of deaths in the practice per year or if death occurred as an inpatient or outpatient. Physicians practicing at the medical center more than 10 years were more likely to contact the grieving family or caregivers. There was significant desire by the physicians to have an easy way to identify deceased patients' caregivers or loved ones, to have condolence notes available for the physicians' use, and to have bereavement service information sent to the families or caregivers.
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Initial voluntary standards for fellowship programs in palliative medicine were developed through a collaborative process involving the directors of fellowship training programs, the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM), and the American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (ABHPM). These groups worked with a consultant and representatives from the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) to create a training structure for the programs that will maximize the likelihood for recognition and accreditation of the subspecialty. An accreditation group modeled after an ACGME residency review committee will be formed to review and adopt the standards, then accredit programs voluntarily.
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In 1996 a specialized palliative care unit was opened at the Linköping University Hospital in Sweden and different patterns of referral from different parts of the district soon became apparent. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms underlying these patterns. During the first 6 months, 133 referrals were analyzed. ⋯ Variations in patterns of referral were also observed in the different hospital-based home care teams (HBHC). In our study differences in the three HBHC teams regarding knowledge, skill, and attitudes might be reflected in variations in patterns of referral. The results illustrate the need for further education regarding referral indications, improvements in documentation of reason for referral, improved communication between HBHC teams and the palliative care unit, and improved prognostication at the end of life.
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In recent years a better understanding of the pharmacologic and pharmacokinetic properties of methadone, including equianalgesic ratios has led to its increased use as a second line opioid for the treatment of pain in patients with cancer. Methadone may be an important alternative for those who have side effects related to the use of other opioids because it has no known active metabolites, is well absorbed by oral and rectal routes, and also has the advantage of very low cost. ⋯ Future research should address the use of methadone as a first-line agent in the management of cancer pain, its use in patients with neuropathic pain, and in those who develop rapid tolerance to other opioids. In some patients with cancer the long half-life of methadone offers the advantage of extended dosing intervals to 12 and even 24 hours, further research is also needed in this area.
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Although hospice programs are a well-established feature of the American medical system, inpatient palliative care services are a recent development. Therefore limited data about inpatient palliative care services has been published, and no large series has yet been reported. ⋯ Mount Carmel Health has developed an APCS and APCU integrated into the mainstream of each of its hospitals, providing an opportunity for a more appropriate focus on end-of-life issues for patients with poor prognoses, intense medical needs, and complex family issues.