Journal of palliative medicine
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The concept of a good death is central to end-of-life care research. Despite its importance and the high interest in the topic, there are few measures currently available for use in clinical research. ⋯ The new Concept of a Good Death instrument appears to measure three distinct factors which people consider important to a Good Death. Ratings of the importance of these factors are reliable and valid. The instrument has the advantage of being a brief, self-report index for use in end-of-life care research.
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In 1999 the Wisconsin Coalition to Improve Palliative Care (WCIPC) conducted a palliative care needs assessment of health care institutions throughout the state of Wisconsin to document the current status of palliative care and identify institutional barriers and opportunities for improvement. ⋯ While health care institutions in Wisconsin provide a variety of palliative care services and offer educational programs that address areas of palliative care, institutional barriers do exist. This needs assessment provides valuable descriptive data that will guide efforts to improve palliative care throughout the state of Wisconsin.
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Delirium is often a distressing symptom for both patients and their families, and its prevention is important. The primary aim of this study was to clarify the effects of partial opioid substitution and hydration on the occurrence of agitated delirium in the final stage of cancer. ⋯ Partial opioid substitution with fentanyl and moderate levels of hydration had no significant preventive effects on the occurrence of agitated delirium in the last week on a mass level. We should explore new strategies to prevent agitated delirium that are practically available in Japan.
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Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
The comprehensive care team: a description of a controlled trial of care at the beginning of the end of life.
To describe the characteristics, acceptability, and basic efficacy of an outpatient palliative care consultation service for patients with serious illness continuing to receive treatment for their underlying disease. ⋯ Outpatient palliative care consultation and services for patients continuing to pursue treatment of their underlying disease are acceptable and helpful to patients. However, barriers to implementation of palliative care treatments in this population must be explored.