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.

Nursing Staffs Perception of Barriers in Providing End-of-Life Care to Terminally Ill Pediatric Patients in Southeast Iran
Conclusion: More high perceived barriers by nurses were family-related issues. One of the possible causes of such deficiencies was lack of palliative care (PC) education/PC units in Iran. Thus, developing EOL/PC education may enhance nurses’ knowledge/skill to face EOL care challenges. (Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine)
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - February 8, 2016 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Iranmanesh, S., Banazadeh, M., Forozy, M. A. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Indication of Adequate Transdermal Fentanyl Dose in Opioid Switching From Oral Oxycodone in Patients With Cancer
Conclusion: We should carefully and rapidly control pain in opioid switching based on the adequate dose indicated in this study. (Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine)
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - February 8, 2016 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Matsumura, C., Yamada, M., Fujihara, S., Chisaki, Y., Takahashi, K., Yano, Y. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

A Review of the Construct of Demoralization: History, Definitions, and Future Directions for Palliative Care
Demoralization has been the subject of discussion in relation to end-of-life care. It is characterized by hopelessness and helplessness due to a loss of purpose and meaning. The purpose of this review was to consolidate the conceptual understanding of demoralization and argue for its existence as a psychiatric syndrome. The history of the construct is explored, including the nature of existential distress and related psychological conditions that precipitate demoralization. Recent definitions of demoralization are described and differentiated from similar constructs. Future directions are highlighted, specifically in relat...
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - December 30, 2015 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Robinson, S., Kissane, D. W., Brooker, J., Burney, S. Tags: Review Articles Source Type: research

Palliative Care Issues in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: An Evidenced-Based Review
This article provides an evidenced-based review of palliative care options not usually addressed in national and international ALS guidelines. (Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine)
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - December 30, 2015 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Karam, C. Y., Paganoni, S., Joyce, N., Carter, G. T., Bedlack, R. Tags: Review Articles Source Type: research

Evaluation of Hospital-Based Palliative Care Programs
This study evaluated current hospital-based palliative care programs using recommendations from the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) as a framework. Seven hospitals located in Buffalo, New York were included based on the existence of a hospital-based palliative care program. Data was collected from August through October of 2013 by means of key informant interviews with nine staff members from these hospitals using a guide comprised of questions based on CAPC’s recommendations. A gap analysis was conducted to analyze the current state of each hospital’s program based upon CAPC’s definition of a qu...
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - December 30, 2015 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Hall, K. L., Rafalson, L., Mariano, K., Michalek, A. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Managing End-of-Life Uncertainty: Applying Problematic Integration Theory to Spousal Communication About Death and Dying
A significant number of Americans die in ways that do not reflect their preferences for end-of-life (EOL) care. For married individuals, the spouse often has the legal authority to make decisions at EOL. Many factors, most notably open preemptive communication about care preferences and dying wishes, determine whether such communication is viable and a partner’s wishes are respected. We used a mixed method approach, involving a content analysis of spouses’ reasons for seeking and avoiding conversations regarding their partners’ EOL care preferences, and examined whether certain demographic factors (eg, in...
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - December 30, 2015 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Rafferty, K. A., Cramer, E. M., Priddis, D. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

The Stanford Prison Experiment: Implications for the Care of the "Difficult" Patient
Approximately 15% of patients are perceived by clinicians as "difficult." Early theories about difficult patients focused on patients’ and clinicians’ characteristics, often underemphasizing the influence of the environment on patients’ behavior. The Stanford Prison Experiment, a classic experiment in the psychology of human behavior, provides a broader systems approach for understanding the environmental influences on patient behavior. A systems approach to the care of the difficult patient takes into consideration not only the patient’s characteristics but also the health care environment and the ...
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - December 30, 2015 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Onishi, S. L., Hebert, R. S. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Acceptability of an Advance Directive That Limits Food and Liquids in Advanced Dementia
Some individuals fear living with advanced dementia and may even commit suicide if they receive dementia diagnosis. Living with advanced dementia could be prevented if a person who cannot feed himself or herself would not be fed by others. The purpose of the study was to find out how acceptable would be an advance directive that includes discontinuation of feeding at certain stage of dementia for relatives of persons who died with dementia. All participants of 2 focus groups would be willing to indicate at least 1 condition in which they would not want to be fed. Some of them would be willing to make a proxy decision to st...
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - December 30, 2015 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Volicer, L., Stets, K. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Connectedness at the End of Life Among People Admitted to Inpatient Palliative Care
The significance of connectedness for well-being is well known. At the end of life however, illness and body decline may challenge a person’s ability of staying and feeling connected. The aim of this phenomenological study was to interpret meanings of connectedness, through narrative interviews with persons admitted to inpatient palliative care in Sweden. Results involving connectedness through the body, connectedness to, and uncanniness toward other patients, and connectedness to significant others and society are discussed. The study underscores the importance of connectedness until death. However, in inpatient pal...
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - December 30, 2015 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Hakanson, C., Öhlen, J. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

In a Longevity Society, Loss and Grief Are Emerging Risk Factors for Health Care Use: Findings From the Health and Retirement Survey Cohort Aged 50 to 70 Years
In a society of long lives, parent and child life can overlap by as much as 50 years. Most children now experience the death of their parents as adults. Many of the 2.5 million deaths each year in the United States are parents. Parental loss is a risk factor for subsequent illness. The Health and Retirement Survey is a representative cohort of persons aged 50 to 70 years. Using the 2010 cohort data, we estimate risk for use of health care after the death of a parent. Loss is a near universal experience in the cohort (87%). A report of any loss increases risk of health care utilization by 20% to 30%. For a longevity society...
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - December 30, 2015 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Miles, T. P., Allegra, J. C., Ezeamama, A., Simpson, C., Gerst-Emerson, K., Elkins, J. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Hospice Attitudes of Physicians and Nurses: A Pilot Study
The purpose of this study was to gauge the attitudes of internal medicine (IM) physicians and hospice nurses on the hospice programs in a Southeastern US county. A postal survey sought views on the following issues: (1) the level of control that hospice affords dying patients; (2) health care professionals’ education and communication involving the dying process; (3) the hospice referral process; (4) characteristics of a "good death"; and (5) gender versus professional role regarding hospice attitudes. The data revealed that occupational role in hospice care has a more significant function in the development of cogni...
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - December 30, 2015 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Bakanic, V., Singleton, M., Dickinson, G. E. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Knowledge About Hospice: Exploring Misconceptions, Attitudes, and Preferences for Care
Conclusion: Despite relatively high hospice awareness and favorability, myths and misperceptions about hospice still abound – and may drive ethnic disparities in end-of-life care. Educational interventions and future study are needed. (Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine)
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - December 30, 2015 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Cagle, J. G., Van Dussen, D. J., Culler, K. L., Carrion, I., Hong, S., Guralnik, J., Zimmerman, S. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Factors Related to the Differential Preference for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Between Patients With Terminal Cancer and That of Their Respective Family Caregivers
There is little information regarding concordance between preferences for end-of-life care of terminally ill patients with cancer and those of their family caregivers. A cross-sectional exploration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) preference in 361 dyads was conducted. Patients or family caregivers who were willing to approve CPR were compared with dyads who did not support CPR. The patient’s quality of life was more associated with family caregiver’s willingness than patient’s willingness. A patient was more likely to prefer CPR than their caregiver in dyads of females and emotionally stable patien...
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - December 30, 2015 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Hwang, I. C., Keam, B., Kim, Y. A., Yun, Y. H. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Quality Assessment of Acute Inpatient Pain Management in an Academic Health Center
The quality of acute inpatient pain management remains suboptimal and poorly understood. In this retrospective study, we analyze acute pain management practice in a large academic health center using several quality indicators. Not surprisingly, despite high rate of pain assessment, many patients still have frequent, prolonged, and unrelieved severe pain episodes. Upon examination of naloxone administration, we identify potential inappropriate opioid prescription practices such as the use of wrong opioids in hepatic and renal failure and simultaneous use of multiple short-acting opioids. Most importantly, we find that chro...
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - December 30, 2015 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Lin, R. J., Reid, M. C., Chused, A. E., Evans, A. T. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Advances and Challenges: Student Reflections From an Online Death and Dying Course
This study describes nursing students’ reflections on taking an online course on death and dying. In a semistructured paper, students described fears of caring for clients at end of life (EOL), important content learned, and remaining discomforts. Data were analyzed using directed content analysis. Consistent themes were noted among the papers. Student reflections on the knowledge they gained closely followed initial fears. Several students appreciated the ability to reflect on their experiences in a nonjudgmental setting. Overall, the data showed that nursing students can become more confident in EOL care through on...
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - December 30, 2015 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Loerzel, V. W., Conner, N. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research