Journal of palliative medicine
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The use of medical cannabis is increasing significantly throughout the United States in spite of limited and sometimes contradictory data about its effectiveness. Palliative care providers are being asked to consider cannabis as part of symptom-directed treatment regimens although many providers have limited experience recommending medical cannabis and were trained before it was commercially available. This article seeks to dispel myths about medical cannabis and provides a balanced view of the benefits and burdens of this therapeutic option, providing evidence where it exists and offering practicing clinicians guidance on conditions in which medical cannabis is likely to be helpful or burdensome.
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Many of the leading causes of infant mortality are diagnosed prenatally, presenting providers with the ability to present perinatal palliative care planning as an option. ⋯ The authors used their experience with the health care system to draw implications for practice from the focus group and interview data, which care can serve to promote women feeling cared for and cared about, as well as promote opportunities for hope during a fragile pregnancy.
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African Americans in the United States have worse end-of-life care and cancer outcomes than whites. Palliative care may improve this disparity. Community Health Workers may provide a means to improve palliative care disparities. ⋯ Based on feedback from patients, caregivers, and providers, a culturally adapted CHW intervention may improve palliative care use for African American patients with advanced malignancies.
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To promote better care at the end stage of life in long-term care facilities, a culturally appropriate tool for identifying residents at the end of life is crucial. ⋯ The IRD scale is a promising tool for identifying nursing home residents at increased risk of death. We recommend the tool to be incorporated into the care protocol of long-term care facilities in Hong Kong.