Palliative medicine
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Palliative medicine · Oct 2022
'Mum, I think we might ring the ambulance, okay?' A qualitative exploration of bereaved family members' experiences of emergency ambulance care at the end of life.
In the context of a sudden or unexpected event, people with a life-limiting illness and their family caregivers may be dependent on emergency ambulance services. ⋯ The generalist palliative care provided by emergency ambulance personnel is a vital service for patients in the last year of life, and their caregivers. This must be acknowledged in palliative care policy and supported with training, specialist consultation and adequate resources.
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Palliative medicine · Oct 2022
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in cancer pain: A database analysis to determine recruitment feasibility for a clinical trial.
Insufficient evidence exists to support or refute use of NSAIDs for managing cancer pain. Palliative physicians support a placebo-controlled trial of NSAIDs as strong opioid adjuncts for cancer-induced bone pain as the most pragmatic design to benefit clinical practice. ⋯ Patient numbers at a regional radiotherapy centre support the feasibility of trial recruitment. Available serology and co-morbidity data suggest two-thirds may be suitable for NSAID prescription.
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Palliative medicine · Oct 2022
Evaluating a partnership model of hospice enabled dementia care: A three-phased monitoring, focus group and interview study.
People with dementia and their caregivers often lack equitable access to hospice care which is a concern internationally. Domains of best practice in palliative care for this population exist and hospices are urged to become dementia friendly. ⋯ Positive outcomes resulted from this best practice model; achievement of preferred place of care and death at home, dual benefits of therapies for patients and families and partnership in cross working and learning between services. Replication of this model should be considered internationally.
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Palliative medicine · Oct 2022
A feasibility study of a decision aid to support family carers of people with severe dementia or those towards the end-of-life.
Advance care planning in dementia does not always happen. As dementia progresses, decisions are often left for family carers to make with professionals. ⋯ We met the success criteria demonstrating this study was feasible and acceptable to carers. Future research should test the effectiveness of the decision aid in a full scale evaluation.
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Palliative medicine · Oct 2022
Observational StudyCancer pain: Results of a prospective study on prognostic indicators of pain intensity including pain syndromes assessment.
Pain is a prevalent symptom in patients with advanced cancer. Recognition of prognostic factors associated with pain intensity, could help provide better assessment, leading to better pain management. ⋯ The recognition of specific pain syndromes may help to better classify cancer pain.