Journal of palliative medicine
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Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate from the perspective of palliative care (PC) patients with cancer, the frequency of sexual dysfunction (SD) and their views regarding the communication with their physicians. Design, Setting, and Participants: Adult PC patients with cancer seen at a Supportive Care Clinic in the United States were invited to participate in a survey about SD. Results: A total of 100 patients completed the survey. ⋯ Only 20% reported that their clinician ever asked them about SD. Most (79%) considered appropriate to be inquired about SD, but only 32% thought it should always be asked. Conclusions: Our findings do not support the notion that PC specialists should always initiate a discussion about SD with their PC patients with cancer.
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This report highlights the development of Grace House Akron, Inc. (GHA) a comfort care home focused on caring for terminally ill individuals who are unhoused, isolated, without caregivers, economically disadvantaged and face end of life alone. GHA is a free-standing home that provides safe housing, a nurturing environment, and round-the-clock personal care while local hospice agencies provide medical management. ⋯ We also share four lessons learned from our journey. By sharing these strategies and lessons, we hope to inform others interested in filling gaps in hospice services to vulnerable individuals in their own communities.
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Background: Palliative care (PC) is essential to improve quality of life for individuals with life-limiting acute neurological conditions, particularly in resource-limited settings. In Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), there is limited health care professional training and education on PC. Objective: We reviewed the peer-reviewed literature discussing end-of-life care, withdrawal of life-sustaining treatments (WOLST), and PC in the acute inpatient setting. ⋯ Our review found that several articles highlight the limitations of PC usage in LAC and inadequate access to treatments, including gastrostomy and tracheostomy tube placement. Conclusions: Our review demonstrates a need to improve PC knowledge and access to end-of-life care resources. Regional educational efforts are needed to improve PC knowledge among health care providers who care for patients with acute neurological conditions in LAC.
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Introduction: It is a common practice in Ontario to prescribe patients with advanced life-limiting illness a Symptom Response Kit (SRK), an emergency medication and medical supply kit, to manage distressing symptoms in the community toward the end of life (EOL). These are hugely beneficial to patients; however, the medications included have high risk profiles, and there is no uniform procedure in place for the return or disposal of SRKs. This narrative review aims to identify what happens to unused SRKs when no longer needed. ⋯ There is no consensus on SRK terminology and no studies evaluating the return or safe disposal of SRKs in the community when no longer needed. Future work should establish safety regulations, disposal monitoring, supervision of use, and terminology standardization. OHAH organizations provincially are conducting innovative work in this area.