Journal of palliative medicine
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Multicenter Study
"If God wanted me yesterday, I wouldn't be here today": religious and spiritual themes in patients' experiences of advanced cancer.
This study sought to inductively derive core themes of religion and/or spirituality (R/S) active in patients' experiences of advanced cancer to inform the development of spiritual care interventions in the terminally ill cancer setting. ⋯ R/S plays a variety of important and inter-related roles for most advanced cancer patients. Future research is needed to determine how spiritual care can incorporate these five themes and address R/S concerns.
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Inpatient palliative care teams' (PCT) contribution to improved quality of life and patient satisfaction as well as decreased utilization and costs has been well established. Yet few studies have examined the specific effect of an inpatient PCT on discharge disposition, despite evidence of an association between hospice enrollment, decreased rehospitalization, and improved resource utilization. ⋯ Patients receiving an inpatient PCT consultation are more likely to receive follow-up services upon discharge from the hospital. These services likely contribute to better quality of care and financial benefits, and warrants further study, especially considering the current focus on health care efficiency and quality.
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The purpose of this study was to assess patient participation in advance care planning (ACP) and the decision to enroll in hospice. ⋯ These data indicate that some patients are not actively involved in the decision to enroll in hospice and that others, often physicians and family members, are making these decisions for the patient collaboratively. These data support the need for early education and interventions that assist patients and families in discussing ACP preferences and the need for greater understanding of how involved patients want to be with the decision to enroll in hospice.