Journal of palliative medicine
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"Recollections of His Death" is a reflective poem about the experience of being present in the home during the final moments of patients' lives and witnessing their loved one's grief. As a health care practitioner, it is an honor to be present, but it can also be emotionally taxing. Like a form of debriefing, poet reflection can provide an opening into and an outlet for these complex feelings.
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Enabling people to die in their preferred place is important for providing high-quality end-of-life care. ⋯ The most commonly preferred place for end-of-life care and death is the patient's home. Establishing a community-based palliative care system should be encouraged to allow more individuals to die in their preferred locations. There were discrepancies in the preferred place of end-of-life care and death between the patients' preferences and their family physicians' perceptions. More effective physician-patient communication regarding end-of-life care is needed.
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Malignant psoas syndrome (MPS) is a relatively rare syndrome that accompanies malignancy; the pain associated with MPS is often difficult to control. Methadone is known to be effective in relieving both nociceptive and neuropathic pain. ⋯ Methadone may be considered a treatment choice for MPS patients in whom pain is difficult to control.
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Multiple drugs used in palliative care, including most opioids or their active metabolites may accumulate in patients with abnormal renal function, leading to serious adverse effects. The incidence and severity of renal impairment in palliative care inpatients has not been evaluated. The aim of the study was to investigate the incidence and severity of renal impairment in palliative care inpatients. ⋯ Renal impairment is common in palliative care inpatients, including considerable number of subjects with moderately to severely reduced kidney function.
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Letter Case Reports
Corticosteroid Injections for Knee Pain at the End of Life.