Journal of palliative medicine
-
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal, neurological disease, which can potentially impact mental health as well as the adaptation process of people who are affected. Most of the results available are cross-sectional. The aim of this study was to study the evolution of coping strategies, Quality of Life (QoL), and mental health in a sample of ALS patients. ⋯ This study, the first to evaluate psychosocial aspects of ALS over time, underlines the importance of global, multidisciplinary, and adapted care.
-
To meet the complex needs of patients with serious illness, health professional students require education in basics aspects of palliative care, including how to work collaboratively on an interprofessional team. ⋯ This innovative interprofessional educational program combines online learning with live interactive simulation to teach professionally diverse students spiritual, cultural, and interprofessional aspects of palliative care. Despite the challenge of balanced professional representation, this innovative interprofessional educational program met its learning objectives, and may be transferable for use in other educational settings.
-
The use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) in patients with cancer is well recognized. Little is known, however, about the use of CAM in children with cancer during the end-of-life period. ⋯ A significant number of children with cancer are administered CAM during the end-of-life period and most families in our study had found it beneficial. The main focus should continue to be on open and honest communication between caregivers and families in order to provide the best possible holistic care.
-
Oral administration of medication is often difficult in terminally ill patients with cancer. These patients require intravenous routes for high-dose opioid administration and/or parenteral nutrition. When the superior vena cava (SVC) is unsuitable for central vein catheter insertion (i.e., in patients with mediastinal masses involving the SVC), alternative access routes are needed. Of these, the femoral vein is most utilized. In our experience, the femoral tunneled catheter (FTC) is easy and safe to use. We retrospectively studied FTC outcomes in terminally ill patients with cancer. ⋯ FTCs were successfully inserted, with a low complication rate. FTC, a simple technique, might be an acceptable alternative in selected terminally ill patients with cancer, when SVC insertion is difficult or contraindicated.
-
Specialist referral practices regarding palliative care are variable and their decision-making practices regarding timing and communication remains an under-researched issue. More effective referral practices have been shown to enhance patient and carer experiences at the end of life, reduce the burden on pre-palliative care services, and even extend life expectancy in some cases. ⋯ Significant barriers exist to the timely referral to palliative care, and, in order to improve patient and care quality of life and lessen clinical difficulties, further work is needed to develop streamlined practices that are sensitive to specialty needs and patient desires.