International journal of palliative nursing
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In the UK the clinical nurse specialist role (CNS) has evolved in an uncoordinated manner resulting in a broad job remit, with clinical, managerial, research and educational elements. CNSs working in specialist palliative care are expected to contribute to the delivery of education but many have received no formal training to support them in this aspect of their role. There has been limited research exploring the role the community palliative care CNS in providing education, making this study timely. ⋯ The CNS has a role in education. However for some CNSs, providing informal education rather than formal education may be appropriate. If the community palliative care CNS provides formal education, they require the knowledge and skills to deliver it effectively. The role of the CNS in palliative care education in the community should respond to personal, professional and local needs.
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Very little is published about the symptom profile of children with life-limiting illnesses other than cancer. ⋯ Doctors and nurses perceive seizures, pain management, and vomiting as the most troublesome symptoms for children with life-limiting conditions. Further research is needed into symptom management in this area.
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this paper explores the barriers that needed to be overcome during the process of implementing an integrated care pathway for the last days of life as a way of developing quality end-of-life care in nursing homes. ⋯ it cannot be presumed that the implementation of a care pathway for the last days of life in nursing homes is straightforward. This study suggests that an action research framework was extremely useful in highlighting and overcoming some obstacles when developing evidence-based practice. Action at both local and public policy level is required to fully address barriers that prevent quality end-of-life care in nursing homes.
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To explore palliative care unit and home care nurses' experiences of caring for patients with terminal delirium. ⋯ Findings suggest the need for interdisciplinary educational initiatives focused on the identification and management of terminal delirium, and targeted to the specific context in which nurses practise.
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The notion of the interdisciplinary team as integral to the delivery of palliative care emerges clearly and consistently in palliative care philosophy and practice discourses. Many studies have found clear benefits of interdisciplinary palliative care teams. ⋯ This article examines the notion that palliative care interdisciplinary teams are universally or inevitably effective and identifies potential barriers and constraints to effective teamwork. In particular, it is suggested that there is a need for careful examination of how teams function in the realm of 'psychosocial' care, and ways to look beyond rhetoric are articulated in order to facilitate teams to function more efficiently to provide optimum patient care.