Journal of palliative medicine
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Psychological symptoms are notably prevalent in palliative care (PC) settings, significantly impacting quality of life for patients and their families. Given the inherent multidimensionality of suffering in PC, addressing these psychological aspects is essential. ⋯ They are a small sample from the vast and deep pool of wisdom contained in psychotherapeutic theory, and they were selected due to their direct applicability to PC practice. Adopting psychotherapeutic principles, along with leveraging the interdisciplinary wisdom inherent in PC practice, enhances our therapeutic relationships in PC and empowers patients to navigate their illness with greater resilience and adaptive coping.
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Background: Patients with cancer use the internet to inform medical decision making. Objective: To examine the content of ChatGPT responses to a hypothetical patient question about decision making in advanced cancer. Design: We developed a medical advice-seeking vignette in English about a patient with metastatic melanoma. ⋯ When vignettes referenced the daughter's opinion on the hospice recommendation, approximately one third of responses also referenced this, stating the importance of talking to her about treatment preferences and values. Conclusion: ChatGPT responses to questions about advanced cancer decision making can be heterogeneous based on demographic and clinical characteristics. Findings underscore the possible impact of this heterogeneity on treatment decision making in patients with cancer.
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Context: The time-variable, competency-based mid-career fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Medicine (HPM) is a multicenter pilot program for physicians who want to train in HPM part-time. Objectives: This study describes the experience of the early cohort of mid-career fellows. Methods: Fellows at the seven sites were surveyed about their perceptions of the program and their confidence in subspecialty skills. ⋯ They reported less confidence with psychological and non-pain symptoms, spirituality, and prognostication. Fewer than half indicated that the process for graduation was clear. Conclusion: Physicians in the competency-based HPM fellowship report a positive experience and high confidence in subspecialty skills.
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High-functioning palliative care teams are essential to high-quality care for individuals with serious illness and their families. Such teams are flexible and adapt to change. However, recent high turnover and understaffing, compounded by a pandemic, challenge even the most resilient and adaptable teams. ⋯ Leaders may find caring for seriously ill patients professionally satisfying, even as aspects of their leadership role cause them significant distress. For this reason, we share some lessons learned in leading evolving palliative care teams of varying composition, practice settings, and degrees of maturation. We hope these strategies equip palliative care leaders to build stronger, even more cohesive teams in times of change and uncertainty.
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Introduction: Psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) has gained traction in palliative care as a treatment for existential distress in the last decade. Patients with brain cancer have been excluded from studies, yet they stand to benefit as much as other patients with cancer-related psychological distress. Case description: In this report, we discuss the case of a patient with end-of-life distress secondary to stage 4 astrocytoma that received PAT through Health Canada's Special Access Program. ⋯ We highlight the importance of making PAT more available as many patients with unresolved existential distress resort to medical assistance in dying without ever knowing of the existence of PAT. Conclusion: PAT was effective in partially alleviating the patient's existential distress. Access to PAT needs to be expanded urgently.