Journal of palliative medicine
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Little is known about the relevance of advance care planning (ACP), including the use of advance directives (AD) and health care power of attorney in transitional countries where access to health care is often limited. ⋯ ACP is deemed relevant and helpful in this South African context. Factors for consideration include sensitivity to diverse cultural and individual preferences, available resources to meet preferences, wider participation in discussion among collectivist-oriented societies, and the role of gender in family decision making.
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Quality of life and palliative management of end-stage cancer patients should improve with greater understanding of the prevalence, intensity, and prognostic significance of their symptoms. ⋯ Fatigue, shortness of breath, lack of appetite, age, and KPS score were associated with overall survival of end-stage Chinese cancer patients.
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The quality of end-of-life (EOL) care at Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMC) has improved. To date, however, the quality and outcomes of end-of-life care delivered to women veterans have not been examined. ⋯ In this nationwide study of all inpatient deaths in VAMCs, women received comparable and on some metrics better quality EOL care than that received by male patients.