Palliative medicine
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Palliative medicine · Jul 2012
Predictors of non-remission of depression in a palliative care population.
Prospective studies of depression in palliative care are rare. Two studies that examine depression prospectively in patients with advanced disease have not looked at predictors of remission. ⋯ This study in palliative care is the first of which we are aware to explore factors associated with non-remission of depression. Depressed patients identified with low social support on referral to palliative care services might particularly benefit from additional psychosocial care in the treatment of their depression. This study provides evidence that effective physical symptom management in palliative care may be a valuable intervention for depressive symptoms.
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Palliative medicine · Jul 2012
Development of a nationwide consensus syllabus of palliative medicine for undergraduate medical education in Japan: a modified Delphi method.
There is currently no consensus syllabus of palliative medicine for undergraduate medical education in Japan, although the Cancer Control Act proposed in 2007 covers the dissemination of palliative care. ⋯ A consensus syllabus of palliative medicine for undergraduate medical education was developed using a clear and innovative methodology. The final consensus syllabus will be made available for further dissemination of palliative care education throughout the country.
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Palliative medicine · Jul 2012
Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM): a qualitative study of a brief individual psychotherapy for individuals with advanced cancer.
Although psychosocial care has been regarded as central to palliative and supportive care, there have been few empirically tested approaches to individual intervention. ⋯ Findings from a qualitative study suggest that the CALM intervention provides substantial benefits for patients with advanced cancer prior to the end of life. Findings informed the development of a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of this intervention.
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Palliative medicine · Jul 2012
An uncertain future: the unchanging views of care home residents about living and dying.
Older people living in a care home have a limited life expectancy, and care homes are an important setting for end-of-life care provision. ⋯ Core to the older person's ability to discuss end-of-life care is their acceptance of being in a care home, the involvement of family members in making decisions and the extent to which they believed they could influence decision making within their everyday lives. Advance care plans should document ongoing dialogue. These findings can inform how primary health and palliative care services introduce, discuss and tailor existing frameworks and programmes of end-of-life care.