Articles: palliative-care.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Jun 2022
Racial and Ethnic Differences in Inpatient Palliative Care for Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant Patients.
Racial/ethnic disparities in utilizing inpatient palliative care services are well documented in the adult literature. However, the impact of racial/ethnic disparities in the context of pediatric palliative care is less well understood even in high-acuity patient populations such as stem cell transplant patients. We investigated racial/ethnic differences in the utilization of inpatient palliative care consultations (IPCCs) for pediatric stem cell transplant patients. ⋯ Racial and ethnic differences exist in the likelihood of receiving palliative care consultations among hospitalized pediatric stem cell transplant recipients. Evaluating the impact of systemic racism and social determinants on palliative care medicine as well as standardizing early integration of IPCC may potentially mitigate disparities in this population.
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Palliative medicine · Jun 2022
Facilitators and barriers in using comics to support family caregivers of patients receiving palliative care at home: A qualitative study.
Family caregiving at home is highly important for people receiving palliative treatment, but also a complex experience, subject to implicit social expectations. This study empirically explored the claim that comics benefit palliative care practice, through evaluating a graphic novel's value as an aid in supportive conversations with family caregivers. ⋯ Emotionally impactful comics may support bereaved family caregivers, but should be introduced with care among current family caregivers, for example, ensuring a right fit, introduction, and follow-up-while taking into account a caregiver's individual situation, needs, abilities, and affinity with the medium. Comics are preferably used in educational settings, contributing to professional awareness and tailored support of family caregivers.
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Background: For hospitalized patients with palliative care needs, there is little evidence on whether postdischarge outcomes differ if inpatient palliative care was delivered by a palliative care specialist or nonspecialist/generalist. Objective: To evaluate relationships between inpatient palliative care involvement and physician-delivered palliative care in the community after hospital discharge among individuals with limited life expectancy. Design: Population-based retrospective cohort study using administrative health data. ⋯ These associations were stronger among patients who received high/medium palliative care involvement than patients who received low palliative care involvement. Conclusions: Inpatient palliative care, including that delivered by generalists, is associated with an increased likelihood of community palliative care after discharge. Increased inpatient generalist palliative care may help support patients' palliative care needs.