The American journal of hospice & palliative care
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Am J Hosp Palliat Care · Dec 2016
Physician Communication in Pediatric End-of-Life Care: A Simulation Study.
The objective of this exploratory study is to describe communication between physicians and the actor parent of a standardized 8-year-old patient in respiratory distress who was nearing the end of life. ⋯ The findings in this study, particularly that physician-parent end-of-life communication is often unclear and that alternatives to life-sustaining technology are often not offered, suggest that physicians need more training in both communication and end-of-life care.
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Am J Hosp Palliat Care · Dec 2016
Climbing Back Up the Mountain: Reflections From an Exploration of End-of-Life Needs of Persons Living With HIV/AIDS in Appalachian Tennessee.
Little is known about the health access and end-of-life (EOL) concerns of persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Appalachia, where religious and cultural values are largely traditional. A qualitative, descriptive study with 9 participants was undertaken to assess EOL care needs among those from South Central Appalachian PLWHA. The focus of the study was to examine subjective data regarding EOL needs assessment related to advanced care planning. ⋯ Strong spiritual images were contrasted with a common avoidance and disdain of organized religion. Findings were used in refining plans for a larger study of EOL care needs and concerns on the population of PLWHA in 2 Southern Appalachian states. Comparison with other research and insights for providers is included.