Articles: palliative-care.
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As the number of inpatients with advanced age and chronic conditions rises, so too does the need for inpatient palliative care (PC). Despite the strong evidence base for PC, less than 50% of all inpatient PC needs are met by inpatient consults. ⋯ In this article, we explore how PC innovations during COVID-19 could transform the PC consult to address workforce shortages and expand access to PC services during and beyond the pandemic. We propose a 3-pronged strategy of bolstering inpatient telepalliative care services, expanding electronic consults, and increasing training and educational tools for providers to help meet the increased need for PC services in the future.
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Since the amendments to the Regulation of Patients' Rights in May 2014, the concept of euthanasia and the validity of the decisions taken towards the end of life have been protected by the "Regulation Amending the Regulation of Patients' Rights." This research study was carried out using a triple Likert scale to record the opinions of patients, who were staying at the University Hospital, and doctors and nurses on the issues of the "euthanasia ban" and "taking personal decisions and requests into an account." ⋯ It was found that more than half of the doctors, nurses, and patients expressed that it is important for a patient to have the right to make decisions regarding his/her own life. FNx01This was presented as an Oral Presentation at the 7th National Congress of Ethics and Medical Law on March 21, 2017.
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The Chilean House of Representatives is discussing the bill on "Dignified death and palliative care", which regulates the so-called medical assistance in dying or euthanasia. This paper will critically analyze the different aspects of the bill, particularly concerning four main dimensions, namely, the patient's condition at the time of requesting euthanasia; the doctor-patient relationship and respect for the autonomy of both parties; the idea of medicine involved in it; and the possible therapeutic alternatives to euthanasia. This critical analysis raises the need to discuss in more depth a project that has to do with such important decisions about our lives and that implies a radical change in the way of thinking and practicing medicine.