Journal of palliative medicine
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Various assertions have been made regarding why eligibility for medical assistance in dying (MAiD) should be expanded. Examining these and the studies used to support them should clear the way for thoughtful data monitoring and research into why some patients make death hastening requests. This will not only improve MAiD practices in Canada, but will lead to better more effective palliative care for patients whose suffering leads them to covet death.
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Background and Objectives: Historically marginalized religious and cultural groups are at risk for lower quality of care than majority groups. No study to date specifically queries Muslim experiences with the American health care system (AHCS). We performed a thematic analysis of Muslim parents' interactions with the AHCS and how their background informs their approach to care. ⋯ Several themes emerged highlighting open communication with care teams, willingness to share religious affiliations, and the importance of leaning into faith and accepting God's will. Conclusions: A thematic analysis of Muslim parents' interactions with the AHCS describes value in honest communication, mixed concerns about how providers will react to their religious affiliation, and emphasizes the importance of leaning heavily into faith and accepting God's plan. Future studies evaluating needs of Muslim patients, especially those with different diagnoses, language barriers, and a larger sample size will further delineate needs to minimize inequalities in care.
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Background: Burn injuries are a common cause for hospitalization, and severe burns have an increased risk of death in patients with advanced age, inhalational injury, comorbid conditions. Very little is known about the utilization of palliative care consultation in burn patients. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors influencing the utilization of inpatient palliative care consultation for patients with severe burn injuries. ⋯ Factors that appear to impact consultation were age, presence of inhalational injury, and multiple comorbid conditions. Conclusion: Inpatient palliative care consultation was underutilized in patients with severe burn injurie. Further research into the outcomes of palliative care consultation could help further support the utility of early involvement in burn patients.
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Observational Study
Perceptions and Knowledge Regarding Medical Situations at the End of Life among Older Adults in Switzerland.
Background: Perceptions and knowledge regarding end-of-life health and health care can influence individuals' advance care planning, such as the completion and content of advance directives. Objectives: To assess older adults' perceptions of medical end-of-life situations in Switzerland along with their accuracy and corresponding associations with sociodemographic characteristics. Design: This is an observational study. ⋯ Less than 28% of older adults correctly assessed the likelihood of dying in a nursing home, hospital, or at home, respectively. Inaccurate views were more frequent in men (p < 0.01) and individuals with financial difficulties (p < 0.05), whereas adults aged 75+ years (p < 0.01) and respondents from the German-speaking part of Switzerland (p < 0.01) had more accurate perceptions. Conclusions: The wide variation and low accuracy of end-of-life perceptions suggest considerable scope for communication interventions about the reality of end-of-life health and health care in Switzerland.
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Palliative care was officially recognized by the World Health Organization in 1990 as a distinct specialty dedicated to relieving suffering and improving quality of life for patients with serious illnesses. Journal of Palliative Medicine (JPM) was founded in 1997 in response to the need for a scientifically rigorous peer-reviewed journal to advance the field. In our first quarter of the century, JPM has become a leading global peer-reviewed scientific journal. ⋯ Although implementation science is of paramount importance, the barriers to implementation of this growing body of specialized knowledge lie not just with the need for more science. Some of the barriers lie within our field. The way forward requires confidence in what we know and the establishment of new collaborations outside of our field, including with people outside of traditional health care.