International journal of palliative nursing
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To explore the role of UK district nurses in providing care for adult patients with a terminal diagnosis by reviewing qualitative research. ⋯ The findings have implications for understanding the motivators and barriers experienced by district nurses delivering palliative care in a time of unprecedented change to community health services.
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The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the Patient Dignity Question (PDQ) 'what do I need to know about you as a person to take the best care of you that I can?', as a person-centred intervention for patients with palliative needs in the acute hospital setting in Scotland, UK. ⋯ The PDQ was feasible and acceptable for this group of participants as a means by which HCPs may enhance person-centred care for people with palliative needs in an acute hospital. Testing the implementation of the PDQ in a before-and-after study would be beneficial.
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Discussing preferred place of death (PPD) with patients approaching end of life is an important part of anticipatory care planning. Preferences at a specific point in time have been described; however the extent to which preferences may change is unclear. This study examines changes in PPD. ⋯ Most patients under the care of a specialist palliative care service identify a preference for place of death as end of life approaches. Only a minority change their preference once a preferred place has been elicited. We recommend that patients are supported to explore their preferences for PPD as part of specialist palliative care, and that preferences are reviewed as end of life approaches.
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Education is viewed as central to improving future palliative care for children and families across all countries. International education initiatives will ensure practitioners are aware of global health issues and can provide culturally sensitive care. ⋯ Key learning points arising from student evaluation were recorded under three main themes, these were: differences across countries, similarities across countries, and making learning fun and memorable. Findings indicated that this joint learning activity was viewed positively by all students and has enabled them to learn with and from each other, potentially impacting on their future practice.
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End-of-life care (EOLC) in the intensive care unit (ICU) has received little attention in the literature in comparison to the considerable amount of existing literature available on EOLC in other areas of nursing. The ethos of the ICU is to preserve life, but as many patients die in this environment, EOLC should be an integral part of the ICU nurse's role. This qualitative study explored the experiences of ICU nurses who had provided EOLC to patients and their families. ⋯ The findings suggest that ICU nurses do not feel adequately prepared to give proficient EOLC. Those who felt more confident in EOLC had learned what to do over time. Appropriate training, support and improved communication between staff, patients and families is necessary for good EOLC in ICUs.