International journal of palliative nursing
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As the issue of equality of access to health-care services becomes more important, there is increasing concern that specialist palliative care services in the UK are under-used by minority ethnic groups (Haroon-Iqbal et al, 1995; Karim et al, 2000). Research into the provision of such services for black and minority ethnic communities identified a number of factors that contribute to a perceived low take-up of services (Hill and Penso, 1995). A strategy to promote ethnic and racial sensitivity in palliative care service delivery, and policies to improve access to, and take-up of, services was recommended. This article presents the important elements relating to equal access to specialist palliative care and the provision of culturally sensitive services, and examines the role of the Macmillan Ethnic Minorities Liaison Officer in the Bradford community palliative care team.
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Delirium is a frequent and serious clinical problem in the terminally ill cancer patient. Multiple dimensions of delirium make definition, measurement, and assessment of it challenging in clinical nursing practice. ⋯ Four delirium assessment scales determined to be useful in assessing patients with terminal illness are reviewed. The use of a delirium assessment instrument in routine nursing assessments would be important for the nurse's early detection of delirium so that interventions to reverse the causes of delirium could immediately be implemented.
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This article reviews the provision of palliative care services in the Republic of Cyprus, highlighting healthcare resources in general and palliative care in particular. An interesting feature of palliative care in Cyprus is the extent to which community palliative care provision appears to be expanding and developing, with hospice care supplementing the work of home care nurses. The role of the home care nurse is discussed and the key role played in patient and family education highlighted. The article raises some interesting features of the relationship between bereavement and culture highlighting the influence that medicalization of health has on traditional ways of caring for patients with cancer and non-cancer conditions.
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This article outlines the position statement agreed by the Midlands Palliative Care Teachers' Professional Forum. Written by a member of the group, it includes suggestions from other members and was submitted for publication before the recent announcement of funds being available for palliative education for district nurses. ⋯ Emphasis is placed on the provision of holistic multiprofessional and uniprofessional courses dedicated to enhancing the quality of palliative care. The article confirms the commitment of palliative care educationalists to this end and looks to continued commitment of adequate funding from NHS trusts and regions in supporting existing palliative care education and its ongoing development in response to clinical need.
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Palliative care professionals are increasingly exposed to, and under pressure to participate in, research to promote evidence-based practice. This may pose challenges and tensions within normal working practices. ⋯ By reflecting on their experiences and the difficulties they encountered, primarily with regard to obtaining informed consent from patients to take part in the research, this article explores issues relevant to practitioners and researchers when conducting palliative care research involving patients. It concludes by suggesting guidelines for conducting good quality research.