Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jul 2024
"Maintain Professionalism": Nurses' Experiences in Caring for Patients with Malignant Fungating Wounds in Taiwan.
Malignant fungating wounds (MFWs) occur among 5%-15% of patients with terminal cancers, the uncontrollable symptoms result in serious psychosocial issues, thereby reducing the quality of life. Caring for MFWs impacts caregivers, including healthcare personnel. While existing studies are patient-focused, the impact of care experiences and associated support for nurses has not been examined. ⋯ The findings suggested the need for addressing the emotional well-being of nurses who take care of patients with MFWs. Future studies should identify effective coping strategies for nurses' health when caring for this population.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jul 2024
Identifying factors associated with disparities in access to integrative oncology program.
Cancer centers are increasingly providing complementary medicine as part of an emerging discipline termed 'integrative oncology' (IO). The present study explored factors associated with disparities in referral and adherence to a freely-provided IO program. ⋯ Patients' ethno-national origin and immigration status (primary language, Arabic and Russian), male gender and older age were associated with lower rates of referral to and attendance of the IP consultation, with reduced adherence to weekly IO treatments. These findings require further study to identify barriers toward diversity, equity and inclusion in IO care, increasing awareness among healthcare professionals regarding the benefits of these services for improving patient wellbeing.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jul 2024
Development of a Simulation-based Mastery Learning Curriculum for Late Goals of Care Discussions.
Fellows in critical care medicine (CCM) routinely help patients and families navigate complex decisions near the end of life. These "late goals of care" (LGOC) discussions require rigorous skills training and impact patient care. Innovation is needed to ensure that fellow training in leading these discussions is centered on reproducible competency-based standards. The aims of this study were to (1) describe the development of a simulation-based mastery learning (SBML) curriculum for LGOC discussions and (2) set a defensible minimum passing standard (MPS) to ensure uniform skill acquisition among learners. ⋯ We describe the development of a LGOC SBML curriculum for CCM fellows which includes a robust communication skills assessment and the delineation of a defensible MPS.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jul 2024
NADA acupuncture in specialized palliative care: Patients' and family caregivers' experiences.
Over the last 30 years, non-pharmacological treatment with ear acupuncture, including National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) acupuncture, has become popular in Western society to relieve cancer-related symptoms. ⋯ Patients in palliative care and their family caregivers experienced relief of suffering after receiving NADA acupuncture, as well as improved well-being, and extra energy and inner strength to cope with their life situation. The ability to share NADA acupuncture gave family caregivers the feeling of being cared for and contributed to feelings of fellowship and togetherness within the family, strengthening their ability to communicate and cope.