Journal of palliative medicine
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Pediatric palliative care is an evolving specialty that aims to improve the lives of children with a life-limiting condition. As an emerging specialty, there is much to be learned about service provision and the expected outcomes that can be achieved. Additionally, quantification of the needs for pediatric palliative care is complicated by the uncertainty of defining the population that requires care. ⋯ The importance of a population-based approach to pediatric palliative care in a state that is geographically large and diverse like Queensland is highlighted. This article may provide valuable information to other health care providers who care for children with life-limiting illnesses.
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The needs of patients feeling severely affected by multiple sclerosis (MS) have rarely been investigated. However this is essential information to know before care can be improved, including adding palliative care (PC) services where helpful. Since it remains unclear at what point specialized palliative care should begin for this patient group, this study focuses on needs in general. ⋯ To address the unmet needs of severely affected MS patients, health care services need to be improved and linked with existing PC services. Special attention is required to form supporting professional-patient relationships. Multiprofessional services should be accessible for patients, while integrating relatives. All services should have an individual approach to provide needs-tailored support.
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Respecting Choices® is a program designed and verified to improve advance care planning, yet it has not been tested in racially/ethnically diverse communities. Research has shown racial/ethnic minorities are less likely to have advance directives (ADs). ⋯ The prevalence of ADs increased after Respecting Choices® was initiated in a racially and ethnically diverse community.
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Patient safety is a concern in medicine, and the prevention of medical errors remains a challenge. The definition and understanding of an error is particularly difficult in palliative care, with scarce empirical evidence about the nature and causes of medical errors in that discipline. ⋯ Data showed that medical errors in palliative care, as seen by professionals in the field, primarily affect medication and communication, and miscommunication and system failures are perceived as the leading causes of errors. A better understanding of the characteristics of errors within palliative care and further qualitative research are warranted to prevent errors and enhance patient safety.