International journal of palliative nursing
-
Emerging evidence describes some of the heavy tolls that health professionals experience as they deal with the continual loss of patients. Each patient and family has particular needs (physical, psychological, social, and spiritual) and is deserving of expert end-of-life care, and it is this intensity of need that places nurses at risk of professional compassion fatigue (PCF). ⋯ There are clear physical and emotional health consequences for nurses who provide hospice and palliative care over extended periods of time. Further research is needed into the extent of the problem, specific causes, and coping strategies.
-
Adequate management of cancer pain is a human right. However, cancer pain is still not well medicated, and some of the barriers to achieving relief are related to nursing. Identifying these barriers would help the development of interventions to improve pain management. ⋯ Many nursing-related barriers to cancer pain management were found.These barriers need to be addressed and eliminated, for example through education and training.
-
This paper reports findings from an exploratory qualitative study concerning end-of-life support for family carers in an acute ward setting. The participants included bereaved carers of patients who had died in an acute ward or hospice, as well as health professionals. ⋯ This paper focuses on one key theme incorporating issues around communication between family and nursing staff and the availability of practical facilities. It provides information that may be beneficial to hospital staff who work in acute areas where there is an expectation they will support carers around the time of death.
-
There are difficulties in assessing, managing, and evaluating neuropathic pain in dying children, particularly those with neurological impairment. Neuropathic pain in children often presents differently to how it presents in the adult population. Comprehensive assessment as well as pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions are crucial to its successful management and frequently require input from an interdisciplinary team. Notwithstanding the need for further research, this paper brings together research papers, reviews, and clinical guidelines to present an exploration of existing evidence regarding care for children with neuropathic pain and their families.