Journal of palliative medicine
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Background: Nurses who provide person-centered care even after death must possess essential competencies to perform their duties effectively. Therefore, it is imperative to develop educational programs to enhance the capabilities of new nurses in care after death. Objective: To develop a care after-death mentoring program that includes an augmented reality (AR) end-of-life experience for new nurses and to describe its effectiveness. ⋯ Results: Significant improvements were observed in both comfort during bereavement/end-of-life care and compassion competency (t = -8.43, p < 0.001; t = -4.90, p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study demonstrated enhancements in participants' comfort levels regarding bereavement and end-of-life care, as well as their ability to exhibit compassion after participating in the program. Consequently, it was confirmed that simulation-based care after-death mentoring education utilizing an AR app helped enhance the capabilities of new nurses.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Shared Medication PLanning In Home Hospice to Address Medication Regimen Complexity and Family Caregiver Burden: A Brief Report.
Objective: Medication management in home hospice is challenging for family caregivers (FCGs). We tested a patient-centered medication review and FCG support program delivered by hospice staff called "Shared Medication PLanning In (SiMPLIfy) Home Hospice." Methods: A pilot cluster-randomized trial at two U. S. home hospice agencies measured the primary outcome of reduction in Medication Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI) (range 0 [no medications]-no upper limit) and secondary outcome of Family Caregiver Medication Administration Hassle Scale (FCMAHS) (range 0 [no hassle-120 [greatest hassle]). ⋯ FCMAHS differed between spousal and nonspousal FCGs (p = 0.12). Conclusion: A clinician-FCG-patient communication program in home hospice is feasible and may reduce medication complexity. SiMPLIfy has the potential to reduce polypharmacy.
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Mental health issues are widespread and significant among individuals with serious illness. Among patients receiving palliative care (PC), psychiatric comorbidities are common and impact patient quality of life. ⋯ This article explores 10 prevalent psychiatric manifestations associated with severe illness and its treatment. Building upon the first article, which focused on 10 common physical manifestations of psychiatric illness among patients receiving PC, these two articles advocate for an integrated approach to PC that prioritizes mental and emotional wellbeing across the continuum of serious illness.