The American journal of hospice & palliative care
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Am J Hosp Palliat Care · May 2020
Patterns of Religiosity, Death Anxiety, and Hope in a Population of Community-Dwelling Palliative Care Patients in New Zealand-What Gives Hope If Religion Can't?
This study examines the prevalence of religiosity, death anxiety, and hope in a sample of New Zealand community hospice patients in the last 6 months of life. It explores the factors triggering distress or hope and examines whether religiosity is protective against death anxiety for this population. Early studies showed religious faith helps relieve death anxiety, but later work suggests this may only be the case in societies which are generally religious. ⋯ Fear of being a burden and of causing family suffering were the most significant causes of distress. Systematic spiritual assessment for all patients, not just those with a declared religious faith, a biography service, and psychotherapy, may all have a role in managing death anxiety at the end of life. Further work with larger and more diverse populations would be needed to confirm these findings.
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Am J Hosp Palliat Care · Apr 2020
Meta AnalysisImmediate Effect of Fan Therapy in Terminal Cancer With Dyspnea at Rest: A Meta-Analysis.
Dyspnea is a common distressing symptom in patients with malignant and nonmalignant diseases. Fan therapy, which uses a fan to blow air toward the patient's face, can alleviate dyspnea; however, its efficacy remains unclear. ⋯ This meta-analysis demonstrated that fan therapy may be an effective intervention for dyspnea at rest in patients with terminal cancer.
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Am J Hosp Palliat Care · Apr 2020
Attitudes and Other Factors Influencing End-of-Life Discussion by Physicians, Nurses, and Care Staff: A Nationwide Survey in Japan.
Better understanding about the attitudes of health-care providers toward end-of-life discussion would facilitate the development of systematic strategies for improving end-of-life care. ⋯ The percentages of physicians, nurses, and care staff involved in adequate end-of-life discussion with patients near death were not high. Participation in a structured education program might have a positive influence on end-of-life discussion with patients.
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Am J Hosp Palliat Care · Mar 2020
Multicenter StudyPrevalence and Predictors of Distress, Anxiety, Depression, and Quality of Life in Bereaved Family Caregivers of Patients With Advanced Cancer.
To investigate prevalence and predictors of postloss distress, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and quality of life among bereaved family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer. ⋯ Preloss mental burden showed to be a consistent predictor for postloss burden and should be addressed during palliative care. Future research should examine specific caregiver-directed interventions during specialist palliative care.
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Am J Hosp Palliat Care · Jan 2020
Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD): A Descriptive Study From a Canadian Tertiary Care Hospital.
In June 2016, the Government of Canada passed Bill C-14 decriminalizing medically assisted death. Increasing numbers of Canadians are accessing medical assistance in dying (MAiD) each year, but there is limited information about this population. ⋯ Patients seeking MAiD at our institution were similar to those described in other jurisdictions where assisted dying is legal and represent a group for whom autonomy and independence is critical. We noted a very high rate of risk of loss of capacity, suggesting a need for both earlier assessments and regular monitoring.