Journal of palliative medicine
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The healthcare matrix is a novel assessment tool that facilitates systematic examination of patient cases using criteria established by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and the Institute of Medicine. It is particularly useful for analyzing complex cases, although its use in the palliative care setting has not been documented. ⋯ The healthcare matrix helped us to dissect the physical, psychosocial, logistical, professional, and ethical aspects of care, and to highlight multiple opportunities for quality improvement. In addition to the case example we will be discussing the advantages and disadvantages for using the healthcare matrix and its potential utility in palliative care.
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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of the Palliative Performance Scale (PPSv2) in the palliative care unit of our hospital, which sees more than 1500 referrals a year (both inpatient and outpatient). We evaluated 356 admission episodes into our department, focusing mainly on patients with advanced cancer. ⋯ We believe that the study results will aid health care professionals in assessing survival length of their patients more accurately, thus helping to guide decisions for treatment and care in a more judicious manner. It will also allow us to choose patients most likely to benefit from hospice resources.
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Personal control over end-of-life (EOL) care via advance care planning is a key component of high-quality care. Although this desire for control has been well documented in some populations, EOL care issues are not well understood within the disabilities community. ⋯ Although participants were positive about ADs, differences in attitudes about control over opportunities for treatment choices between the nondisabled and disabled groups support previous findings that people with disabilities may have concerns regarding undertreatment for serious health conditions. Further study of EOL care issues for persons with disabilities is warranted.
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While palliative care is becoming more important in today's health system, the major barrier to improving the quality of palliative care appears to be health professionals' lack of knowledge. The objective of this study is to evaluate medical students' knowledge on palliative care and their views on palliative care in clinical practice. ⋯ It was observed that medical students trained to become tomorrow's physicians had inadequate knowledge on palliative care; the curriculum had a shortfall on this subject; and health professionals did not pay attention to this subject in clinical practice. The results of our study will provide guidance in preparing the curricula of health professionals and in planning the subjects of postgraduate education.
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Letter Comparative Study
The effect of palliative care on the assistance of terminally ill cancer patients.