American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes in Caring for Older Adults With Advanced Illness Among Staff Members of Long-Term Care and Assisted Living Facilities: An Educational Needs Assessment
In long-term care and assisted living facilities, many groups of health care professionals contribute to the work of the health care team. These staff members perform essential, direct patient care activities. An educational needs assessment was conducted to determine the learning needs and preferences of staff members related to providing care for patients with life-limiting illnesses. Staff members placed importance on understanding topics such as principles of palliative care, pain assessment, pain management, and nonpain symptom management. The majority of survey respondents were also interested in learning more about ...
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - March 17, 2016 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Cimino, N. M., Lockman, K., Grant, M., McPherson, M. L. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Sudden Advanced Illness: An Emerging Concept Among Palliative Care and Surgical Critical Care Physicians
Conclusion: The emerging concept of SAI is important for understanding how Palliative Care can enhance care for this subset of patients. (Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine)
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - March 17, 2016 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Barnett, M. D., Williams, B. R., Tucker, R. O. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Preliminary Testing of a Patient-Reported Outcome Measure for Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer
Conclusions: The VHNSS-RM contains 35 physical and 12 psychosocial issues. The VHNSS-RM is feasible and not overly burdensome. Nineteen unique items may improve palliation to patients with RMHNC. (Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine)
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - March 17, 2016 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Jackson, L. K., Deng, J., Ridner, S. H., Gilbert, J., Dietrich, M. S., Murphy, B. A. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

End-of-Life Care for People With Cancer From Ethnic Minority Groups: A Systematic Review
Conclusion: EOL care differences among ethnic/racial minority cancer patients were found in the processes, preferences, and beliefs regarding their care. Further steps are needed to explore the exact causes of differences, yet possible explanations include religious or cultural differences, caregiver respect for patient autonomy, access barriers, and knowledge of EOL care options. (Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine)
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - February 17, 2016 Category: Palliative Care Authors: LoPresti, M. A., Dement, F., Gold, H. T. Tags: Review Articles Source Type: research

Management of Breathlessness in Patients With Advanced Cancer: A Narrative Review
This article reviews the etiology, assessment, and measurement of dyspnea in patients with advanced cancer. Because of its complex biopsychological etiology and manifestations, multidisciplinary approach with combination of both pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions provides the best treatment plan for patients with dyspnea. (Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine)
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - February 17, 2016 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Lok, C. W. Tags: Review Articles Source Type: research

Random Serum Cortisol as a Predictor for Survival of Terminally Ill Patients With Cancer: A Preliminary Study
Although previous research found that serum cortisol levels were associated with cancer prognosis, it is unclear whether this association remains robust even at the very end of life of patients with cancer. We conducted a retrospective chart review of 125 patients with terminal cancer to investigate the role of random serum cortisol levels in predicting the remaining life expectancy. The high random cortisol group had a significantly shorter survival time than the low random cortisol group (7.5 vs 26 days). After adjusting for potential confounders, key factors such as poor performance status, hypoalbuminemia, and high ran...
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - February 17, 2016 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Kim, H. M., Ha, K. S., Hwang, I. C., Ahn, H. Y., Youn, C. H. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Underrecognition and Undertreatment of Pain and Behavioral Symptoms in End-Stage Dementia
This article proposes opportunities to improve patient care. The article underscores the role of assessment scales to optimize behavioral management for patients with dementia and discusses the value of pain management to improve behavioral symptoms. Additionally, a collaborative interdisciplinary team, including palliative medicine, pharmacy services, and spiritual support can optimize patient care and develop a plan of care. (Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine)
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - February 17, 2016 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Brecher, D. B., West, T. L. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Malignant Bowel Obstruction in Patients With Recurrent Ovarian Cancer
In conclusion, although bowel obstruction occurs in only a subgroup of patients with ovarian cancer and does not appear to detract from survival after cancer recurrence, limited end-of-life information may be resulting in an underestimation of incidence. (Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine)
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - February 17, 2016 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Tran, E., Spiceland, C., Sandhu, N. P., Jatoi, A. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Comparison of the Educational Needs of Neonatologists and Neonatal Nurses Regarding Palliative Care in Taiwan
Conclusions: Survey data from neonatologists and neonatal nurses in Taiwan indicate a need for further training on a range of neonatal palliative care competencies. (Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine)
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - February 17, 2016 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Lee, M.-C., Chen, Y.-C., Chen, C.-H., Lu, F. L., Hsiao, C.-C., Peng, N.-H. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Trends in the Use of Volunteers in US Hospices: 2000 to 2010
Conclusion: Given the importance of volunteers, both in the preservation of hospices’ philanthropic traditions and in reducing health care expenditure at the end of life, research is needed to further evaluate the factors associated with this decline. Emphasis should be placed on improving the retention of the existing hospice volunteer workforce. (Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine)
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - February 17, 2016 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Apenteng, B. A., Linder, D. F., Opoku, S. T., Lawrence, R. H., Upchurch, L. A. L. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Developing Organizational Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Suicide in Clients and Carers Receiving Palliative Care in Australia
This article describes the process of developing a suicide guideline in palliative care. Little literature was available, but utilizing the partnership model, a working party consulted with each discipline regarding specific requirements. The working party experienced significant challenges in creating policy that would adequately cover the diverse needs of all members of the palliative care team, as it was recognized that all staff needed guidance. The final guideline incorporated specific action plans for each discipline; mandatory training for all staff was endorsed through a recognized suicide alertness training progra...
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - February 17, 2016 Category: Palliative Care Authors: OConnor, M., Groom, J., Watson, M., Harris, P. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Comparison of the Treatments of Patients With Cancer in Their Last 6 Months Between ICU and Cancer Center
Conclusion: Patients with cancer in the ICU were more likely to receive active treatments and less palliative and hospice care at the end of life than patients in the Cancer Center. (Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine)
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - February 17, 2016 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Rao, J., Fu, Q., Wu, Q., Yu, S. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Palliative Care in Iran: Moving Toward the Development of Palliative Care for Cancer
This study presents the current state of palliative care for cancer patients and discusses the barriers, challenges and outlook of palliative care in Iran. If infrastructural projects that have recently been launched prove successful, proper advancement toward the providing of palliative care services in Iran will then not far on the horizon. (Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine)
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - February 17, 2016 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Rassouli, M., Sajjadi, M. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Socioeconomic Factors Associated With Posthospitalization Hospice Care Settings: A 5-Year Perspective
This study relied upon The State Inpatient Data of Nevada. A total of 19 206 discharges were analyzed from the data set between 2009 and 2013. The results indicate that increasingly patients are being discharged to home and overall socioeconomic characteristics appear to have less of an influence over whether hospice is received at home or in a medical facility. Further research on the perspectives of patients would provide insight into whether patients’ preferences or socioeconomic characteristics are more influential on where hospice services are received. (Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine)
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - February 17, 2016 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Kirkendall, A., Shen, J. J., Greenway, J., Bai, W. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Identifying Patients in the Acute Psychiatric Hospital Who May Benefit From a Palliative Care Approach
Identifying patients who will benefit from a palliative care approach is the first critical step in integrating palliative with curative therapy. Criteria are established that identify hospitalized medical patients who are near end of life, yet there are no criteria with respect to hospitalized patients with psychiatric disorders. The records of 276 consecutive patients admitted to a dedicated inpatient psychiatric unit were reviewed to identify prognostic criteria predictive of mortality. Mortality predictors were 2 or more admissions in the past year (P = .0114) and older age (P = .0006). Twenty-two percent of patients m...
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - February 17, 2016 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Burton, M. C., Warren, M., Cha, S. S., Stevens, M., Blommer, M., Kung, S., Lapid, M. I. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research