Palliative medicine
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Palliative medicine · Jan 2016
Randomized Controlled TrialEffectiveness of the Liverpool care pathway for the dying in residential care homes: An exploratory, controlled before-and-after study.
Clinical pathways aim to ensure that individuals receive appropriate evidence-based care and interventions, with the Liverpool Care Pathway for the Dying Patient focusing on end of life. However, controlled studies of the Liverpool Care Pathway for the Dying Patient, particularly outside of cancer settings, are lacking. ⋯ When implemented with adequate staff training and support, the Liverpool Care Pathway for the Dying Patient may be a useful tool for providing end-of-life care of elderly people at the end of life in non-cancer settings.
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Palliative medicine · Jan 2016
Vitamin D deficiency and its association with fatigue and quality of life in advanced cancer patients under palliative care: A cross-sectional study.
A normal vitamin D status is required for bones and muscles to maintain their function and structure, but it also contributes to the functional integrity of other multiple physiologic systems in the body. ⋯ The 90% frequency of advanced cancer patients with vitamin D deficiency, together with the positive correlation of vitamin D status with the absence of fatigue and improved physical and functional well-being, points to vitamin D supplementation as a potential therapy to enhance the patient's quality of life.
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Palliative medicine · Jan 2016
Home care by general practitioners for cancer patients in the last 3 months of life: An epidemiological study of quality and associated factors.
Stronger generalist end-of-life care at home for people with cancer is called for but the quality of end-of-life care delivered by general practitioners has been questioned. ⋯ There is considerable room for improvement in the satisfaction with home care provided by general practitioners to terminally ill cancer patients. Ensuring an adequate offer of home visits by general practitioners may help to achieve this goal.
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Palliative medicine · Jan 2016
End-of-life care during and after an acute hospitalization in older patients with cancer, end-stage organ failure, or frailty: A sub-analysis of a prospective cohort study.
Many patients show deterioration in functioning and increased care needs in the last year of life. End-of-life care needs and health care utilization might differ between groups of acutely hospitalized older patients. ⋯ Patients with frailty and organ failure had highest rates of geriatric conditions at hospital admission and often had missing information on advance care planning in the hospital records. There is a need to better identify end-of-life needs for these groups.