Journal of palliative medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Symptom burden in HIV-infected adults at time of HIV diagnosis in rural Uganda.
This study aimed to measure symptom burden prior to antitetroviral therapy (ART) initiation in a population of adults with low CD4 presenting for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care and treatment in Uganda, and to explore the relationship between World Health Organization (WHO) stage, CD4 count, and symptomatology. ⋯ This study demonstrates that the burden of HIV-related symptoms in individuals presenting for care in Uganda is significant and debilitating.
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Kokua Kalihi Valley is one of the first federally qualified community health centers offering home-based palliative care (HBPC). Kokua Kalihi Valley serves low-income, immigrant populations from Asia and the Pacific Islands, whose end-of-life needs are rarely addressed. Our team includes a palliative medicine physician, nurse, case manager, psychologist, interpreter, and volunteers. ⋯ Data on outcomes and quality indicators of HBPC programs are scant, especially among immigrant Asian and Pacific Islanders patients. Our experience demonstrates the effectiveness of palliative care approaches in this population.
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We studied the impact of an 11-bed inpatient palliative care unit (PCU) on site of death and observed mortality in the health system, oncology, and palliative care units. Observers were concerned that an active PCU would attract dying patients and worsen comparative mortality rates for Medicare and U.S. News & World Report comparisons. ⋯ An inpatient PCU did not increase the hospital-wide death rate. The PCU did change the site of death to a more appropriate venue for one quarter of patients.
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The development of palliative care educational programs is ongoing in Japan. To assess the effectiveness of educational programs for general nurses, it is necessary to develop scales for evaluating them. ⋯ The validity and reliability of these scales were established. Therefore, the clarification of actual practices used and difficulties experienced will be possible using these scales.