Articles: caregivers.
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Semin Respir Crit Care Med · Apr 2023
Beyond the Lungs-Emerging Challenges in Adult Cystic Fibrosis Care.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multisystem disease. This article provides an up-to-date review of many of the nonrespiratory complications of CF, including mental health issues, nutritional and gastrointestinal problems, fertility issues, diabetes mellitus, bone health and musculoskeletal problems, liver disease, renal problems, and risk of malignancy. It highlights the recent impact of new therapies, including CF transmembrane conductance regulator modulators, on the nonrespiratory complications of CF and provides insights into the potential challenges faced by an aging population of adults with CF and their caregivers, including the potential future risk for cardiovascular disease.
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Background: Patients requiring home-based palliative care have advanced complex illnesses with functional limitations and decline. This retrospective study reviewed caregiver administration of subcutaneous (SQ) medications and fluids when symptom control could not be achieved using the oral route. Methods: Medical records from September 1, 2017 to February 28, 2018 were reviewed for 272 consecutive patients who received SQ administration of medications or fluids at a home-based palliative care program. ⋯ Hydromorphone was the most common opioid used (57%), followed by morphine (35%). The median length of stay in the program was 24 days (interquartile range: 11-60). Conclusions: SQ administration of medications and fluids by nonprofessional caregivers trained by health care professionals is feasible and promising, but additional testing is needed.
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To investigate the association between higher injury severity and increased informal caregiving received by injured older adults. ⋯ Injured older adults reported high baseline care needs which increased significantly after hospital discharge and were mostly met by informal caregivers. Injury was associated with increased need for assistance and unmet needs regardless of injury severity. These results can help set expectations for caregivers and facilitate post-acute care transitions.
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Ireland has over half a million family carers who provide care to a family member or loved one. Internationally, it is recognised that general practitioners (GPs) have a critical role to play in the identification and support of family carers, but, to date, no guidelines exist in Ireland to support GPs in this role. ⋯ The findings suggest important gaps in terms of the role of GPs vis-à-vis their support of family carers. GPs themselves indicated that they need both greater clarity regarding their role with family carers and more training and resources in this regard. A requirement for more streamlined communication and information provision was also highlighted by both GPs and carers. Carers reported a need for more information on the role of GPs in supporting carers as well as more support in addressing, in particular, the psychological complexities of carer identity and help seeking.
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Pediatric emergency care · Apr 2023
Spanish-Speaking Caregivers' Perception of Emergency Physicians' Interpersonal and Communication Skills in a Pediatric Emergency Department.
Medical communication is more than just the delivery of information; language differences between physicians and patients/caregivers create a challenge to providing effective care in the pediatric emergency department (ED). Overcoming this barrier is vital to providing high-quality care. We evaluated Spanish- versus English-speaking caregivers' perception of their pediatric ED physicians' interpersonal and communication skills. We also compared perceptions of Spanish- versus English-speaking caregivers who self-identified as Hispanic. ⋯ Language barriers have a meaningful impact on physician ability to communicate effectively in the pediatric ED. Improving physicians' ability to overcome this barrier is essential toward enriching patient outcomes and experience in the ED.