Journal of palliative medicine
-
Background: Heart failure (HF) is a progressive, life-limiting illness for which palliative care (PC) is considered standard of care. Among patients that do receive PC, consultation tends to occur late in the illness course. Objective: Our primary aim was to examine patient factors associated with receiving PC in HF. ⋯ Conclusions: While more than 20% of HF patients in our cohort had PC well in advance of death, more than half died without PC. PC involvement seemed to be driven by comorbidities rather than HF. Effective collaboration with Cardiology is needed to identify patients who would benefit from earlier PC involvement.
-
Background: Literature reviews reveal poor knowledge and awareness of palliative care in the public. Health literacy deficits impact access to palliative care. Objectives: The aim of this manuscript is to explore the public perception of palliative care in Germany. ⋯ The public's perception of palliative care is mainly medicine oriented, referring to inpatient care for the immediately dying; however, further significant misperceptions were scarce. Conclusions: The public perception shows an indistinct picture of palliative care, and some misconceptions about the objectives and areas of responsibility of the subject, meanwhile, palliative care is known to a majority of people. Understanding partly incomplete pictures of patients and relatives may help to react appropriately in staff-patient interactions and improve public relations.
-
Background: Postgraduate fellowship training for nurse practitioners (NP) in palliative care can ameliorate workforce shortages; however, currently there are few NP fellowships and little evidence about outcomes, such as retention in hospice and palliative nursing, job satisfaction, or professional contributions. Objective: To describe the impact of palliative care fellowship training on the careers of NP alumni. ⋯ Alumni endorsed multiple benefits of postgraduate fellowship except for post-fellowship compensation. Conclusions: NP palliative care fellowship alumni reported multiple career benefits including job satisfaction, professional accomplishment, and ongoing employment at their training institutions.