Journal of palliative medicine
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Despite requirements for palliative care training during fellowship, there is a paucity of recent data regarding the attitudes, knowledge, and skills of hematology/ oncology fellows in palliative care. ⋯ Many recent oncology fellows are still inadequately prepared to provide palliative care to their patients. There is significant room for improvement with regards to the quality of palliative care training in U.S. hematology/oncology fellowship programs.
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Observational Study
A Two-Group Trial of a Terminal Ventilator Withdrawal Algorithm: Pilot Testing.
Terminal ventilator withdrawal entails cessation of mechanical ventilation to allow a natural death. There is little empirical evidence to guide the conduct of this procedure. If the process is not well conducted, patients undergoing terminal ventilator withdrawal are at high risk for experiencing significant respiratory distress. ⋯ Feasibility and proof of concept for the nurse-led algorithm were established.
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Case Reports
Long-Term Intermittent Palliative Sedation for Refractory Symptoms at the End of Life in Two Cancer Patients.
Palliative sedation (PS) can be classified as either continuous or intermittent. Continuous PS is most commonly used in end-of-life care, while no specific indication for intermittent PS exists. ⋯ Palliative PS may stop vicious cycle of physical and psychological distress in terminal cancer patients. Furthermore, intermittent type of PS could keep patients consciousness alert during day time and may be performed repeatedly for the long time.