Article
Oncology
Amandine Bertrand, Veronique Veyet, Florence Goy, Marie Cervos, Matthias Schell
Summary: The study found that home nurses play a crucial role in pediatric palliative care, with most of them having reservations about accepting these duties but also showing significant personal involvement in the cases. Key influencing factors include the availability and proactiveness of the HCU team, as well as communication and planning with the families.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Xavier Busquet-Duran, Josep Maria Manresa-Dominguez, Joana Llobera-Estrany, Ana Isabel Lopez-Garcia, Eduard Moreno-Gabriel, Pere Toran-Monserrat
Summary: This study examined the associations between the dimensions of the HexCom care complexity model and the place of death. The results showed that a greater functional impairment, being male, being over 80 years old, and the presence of care complexity in the last days were associated with a higher likelihood of dying at home. On the other hand, having cancer, poor external support, feeling at peace with others, and lack of agreement on the planning of the place of death were associated with a lower likelihood of dying at home.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Cassandra Graham, Rebecca Schonnop, Tieghan Killackey, Dio Kavalieratos, Shirley H. Bush, Leah Steinberg, Susanna Mak, Kieran Quinn, Sarina R. Isenberg
Summary: The results of this study suggest that a collaborative shared model of care delivery between palliative care and cardiology improves knowledge exchange, collaboration, and communication between specialties, and leads to more comprehensive patient care. Addressing ongoing barriers will help improve care delivery.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Bardo Driller, Bente Talseth-Palmer, Torstein Hole, Kjell Erik Stromskag, Anne-Tove Brenne
Summary: In palliative care, having advance care planning (ACP) conversations with cancer patients in primary health care can lead to more days spent at home and a higher likelihood of dying at home. This study found that patients who had ACP conversations in primary health care had more days at home and were four times more likely to die at home. Contact with a hospital-based palliative care team did not have the same effect.
BMC PALLIATIVE CARE
(2022)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Elias David Lundereng, Andrea Aparecida Goncalves Nes, Heidi Holmen, Anette Winger, Hilde Thygesen, Nina Joranson, Christine Raheim Borge, Olav Dajani, Kari L. Mariussen, Simen A. Steindal
Summary: This review systematically maps the experiences and perspectives of healthcare professionals (HCPs) regarding the use of telehealth in home-based palliative care (HBPC). The study suggests that telehealth has the potential to improve coordination of care, time efficiency, clinical assessments, and personal and professional relationships. However, there are also technological issues, personal and organizational barriers, and a lack of acceptance and motivation among HCPs.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Donna Wakefield
Summary: The establishment of the long-term palliative care unit in Hartlepool provides a valuable alternative care model for patients from socio-economically deprived areas, enabling them to receive high-quality care towards the end of life. Patients are offered full holistic assessments and advance care planning, with 24/7 access to specialist palliative care support to avoid hospital transfer.
PALLIATIVE MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Kailash Thapaliya, Victoria Cornell, Catherine Lang, Gillian E. Caughey, Anna Barker, Keith Evans, Craig Whitehead, Steve L. Wesselingh, Maria C. Inacio
Summary: This study examined the cohort of individuals receiving Home Care Packages (HCPs) in Australia in 2016, their access to other aged care services, and their utilization of hospital and ambulance services. The findings show that HCP recipients have frequent hospitalizations, with emergency department presentations being the most common, and a significant proportion of them accessing respite care and transitioning to permanent residential care each year.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Nanna Maria Hammer, Pernille Envold Bidstrup, Jesper Brok, Minna Devantier, Per Sjogren, Kjeld Schmiegelow, Anders Larsen, Geana Paula Kurita, Marianne Olsen, Hanne Baekgaard Larsen
Summary: This systematic review examined the impact of home-based specialized pediatric palliative care (SPPC) and found that receiving home-based SPPC was associated with an increased likelihood of home death, potentially improved quality of life, and reduced symptom burden. However, the limited number of studies and a high risk of bias in the included studies contribute to a low overall strength of evidence.
JOURNAL OF PAIN AND SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
A. Spreco, C. Andersson, R. Sjodahl, T. Timpka
Summary: Despite the importance of accurate attribution of deaths caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection, the accuracy of COVID-19 death counts is still contested. This study compares official death statistics with cause-of-death assessments made by experienced physicians, highlighting the need for carefulness when using COVID-19 death statistics.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Sasha Shepperd, Daniela C. Goncalves-Bradley, Sharon E. Straus, Bee Wee
Summary: The evidence suggests that home-based end-of-life care programs can increase the likelihood of patients dying at home. However, the impact of home-based end-of-life care on patient outcomes, symptom control, caregiver satisfaction, and healthcare costs remains uncertain.
COCHRANE DATABASE OF SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Daniela Fortuna, Luana Caselli, Federico Banchelli, Maria Luisa Moro, Massimo Costantini
Summary: This study aims to refine the assessment of the number of cancer patients potentially in need of palliative care by linking hospital and death data. The results show that relying solely on death certificates may underestimate the palliative care needs by about 22%.
JOURNAL OF PAIN AND SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Nathan Sumarsono, Rebecca L. Sudore, Alexander K. Smith, Steven Z. Pantilat, Wendy G. Anderson, Anil N. Makam
Summary: The study examines the availability of palliative care programs in long-term acute care hospitals in the United States, finding that while a significant number of hospitals have such programs, there is still a shortage of palliative care physicians in these settings.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
S. C. Okoroafor, M. Ongom, B. Mohammed, D. Salihu, A. Ahmat, M. Osubor, J. Nyoni, W. Alemu
Summary: The study highlights the importance of context-specific strategies to ensure the availability of social amenities such as roads, water, electricity, telecommunication, security, the status of infrastructure, working conditions, and remuneration for health workers in rural and remote areas.
JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Hakon Johansen, Vigdis Abrahamsen Grondahl, Ann Karin Helgesen
Summary: This study aimed to explore the role of the resource nurse in palliative care in Norway, from the perspectives of both resource nurses and ward nurses. The results revealed that the role of the resource nurse is underutilized due to heavy workload and inefficient organization of care. However, with improvements such as sufficient time resources, support from the ward nurse, and cooperation with staff nurses, the role of the resource nurse could contribute to increased competence and cooperation between healthcare professionals and different levels of healthcare.
BMC PALLIATIVE CARE
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Ming-Hwai Lin, Tzeng-Ji Chen, Yiing-Jenq Chou
Summary: There has been a significant change in the places of natural death in Taiwan, with a decrease in deaths at home and an increase in deaths in hospitals. These findings have important implications for future clinical burdens and health policy decisions in Taiwan.
JOURNAL OF PALLIATIVE MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Barbar Antunes, Pedro Pereira Rodrigues, Irene J. Higginson, Pedro Lopes Ferreira
Summary: The study aimed to help healthcare professionals identify hospital patients with palliative needs, but encountered challenges such as low response rate and lack of participation. The results highlighted the urgent need for generalist palliative care training for clinicians.
ACTA MEDICA PORTUGUESA
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
James M. Beattie, Irene J. Higginson, Theresa A. McDonagh, Wei Gao
Summary: The study compared trends in place of death for heart failure patients with and without comorbid dementia before and after the implementation of the Mental Capacity Act. The results showed a shift in place of death from hospital to home for patients without dementia following the enforcement of the MCA. The prevalence of death in care homes was higher for patients with dementia.
Article
Respiratory System
Deokhee Yi, Charles C. Reilly, Gao Wei, Irene J. Higginson
Summary: This study found that breathlessness services were cost-effective compared to usual care, resulting in cost savings and improved quality of life. Additionally, tailoring service attributes to individual preferences increased the uptake of these services.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Leila Abou Salha, Flavia Costa Reis, Roberta Moreira Goncalves, Jordao Horacio da Silva Lima, Nadia Abou Salha, Roney Pereira Pinto, Jose Elmo de Menezes, Eduardo Perez Oliveira, Pedro Lopes Ferreira, Maria Alves Barbosa
Summary: The increase in access to oncological medicines through court cases raises concerns about the constitutional guarantees of integral and universal care in the Brazilian public health system. The study found that women accounted for a significant portion of the lawsuits, with most cases filed by individuals over 55 years old with low income. Non-official oncological medicines were the most frequently requested drugs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR EQUITY IN HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Tushti Bhardwaj, Rachel L. Chambers, Harry Watson, Irene J. Srividya, Irene J. Higginson, Mevhibe B. Hocaoglu
Summary: This study aimed to translate and culturally adapt the Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Scale (IPOS) into Hindi. Through a standardized methodology, the Hindi IPOS was developed and found to have face and content validity for clinical practice and research. The availability of the Hindi IPOS has implications beyond Indian palliative care settings, as it provides millions of Hindi speakers with a tool to communicate their palliative care needs in their mother tongue.
PALLIATIVE MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pedro Lopes Ferreira, Rita Novais Cunha, Carla Macieira, Tomas Fontes, Luis Sousa Ines, Ana Maduro, Ana Martins, Frederico Rajao, Carolina Furtado, Anabela Barcelos
Summary: This study aimed to adapt the SLE Quality of Life (SLEQoL) questionnaire to the European Portuguese population and assess its reliability and validity for patients with SLE. The results showed that the Portuguese version of the SLEQoL questionnaire is valid and reliable for measuring HRQoL in SLE patients.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Letter
Respiratory System
Natasha Lovell, Simon N. Etkind, Joanna M. Davies, Wendy Prentice, Irene J. Higginson, Katherine E. Sleeman
EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Javiera Leniz, Joanna M. Davies, Anna E. Bone, Mevhibe Hocaoglu, Julia Verne, Stephen Barclay, Fliss E. M. Murtagh, Lorna K. Fraser, Irene J. Higginson, Katherine E. Sleeman
Summary: The number and proportion of home deaths in the UK increased during the Covid-19 pandemic, with evidence of socioeconomic inequality. The increase in home deaths was lowest for people living in the most deprived areas, showing a deprivation gradient. Further research is needed to understand the reasons for this change and if the inequality has been sustained. Overall rating: 7 points.
PALLIATIVE MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Respiratory System
Claire M. Nolan, Lisa Jane Brighton, Yihan Mo, Joanne Bayly, Irene J. Higginson, William D. -C. Man, Matthew Maddocks
Summary: This systematic review examined the effect of meditative movement on breathlessness, quality of life, exercise capacity, functional performance, and psychological symptoms in advanced disease. The results showed that meditative movement did not improve breathlessness, quality of life, or exercise capacity in people with advanced COPD or cancer.
EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY REVIEW
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fernanda Daniel, Helena Espirito-Santo, Laura Lemos, Sonia Guadalupe, Isabel Barroso, Alexandre Gomes da Silva, Pedro Lopes Ferreira
Summary: Loneliness is a prevalent negative emotion associated with unsatisfactory social interactions, reduced social support, poor satisfaction with life and health, negative emotions, and economic burden. This study aimed to develop a Portuguese version of the three-Item Loneliness Scale (T-ILS) and evaluate its psychometric properties. The T-ILS showed good psychometric properties and correlated moderately with satisfaction with life, social network, and happiness, and weakly with household size. The Portuguese version of the T-ILS is a valid and reliable instrument for screening loneliness in Portugal, and is useful for identifying lonelier individuals in need of intervention.
Article
Respiratory System
Charles C. Reilly, Matthew Maddocks, Trudie Chalder, Katherine Bristowe, Irene J. Higginson
Summary: SELF-BREATHE is a digital breathlessness intervention that aims to improve the lives of people with chronic breathlessness. This study found that SELF-BREATHE was feasible to deliver and acceptable to patients, with users reporting improved breathlessness during daily life.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Claudia Sofia Pereira, Luiz Miguel Santiago, Ines Rosendo Silva, Pedro Lopes Ferreira
Summary: This study aimed to culturally adapt and validate the PAID-5 scale in European Portuguese. The Portuguese version of PAID-5 was created through translation, back-translation, clinical review, and cognitive debriefing. The study found that PAID-5 has good reliability and validity among Portuguese diabetic patients.
ACTA MEDICA PORTUGUESA
(2023)
Review
Computer Science, Information Systems
Marta Estrela, Guilherme Semedo, Fatima Roque, Pedro Lopes Ferreira, Maria Teresa Herdeiro
Summary: Differences in digital health literacy levels are influenced by sociodemographic factors such as age, education level, income, and social support. Older age was found to have a negative effect on digital health literacy, while sex did not have a statistically significant influence. This study highlights the need for tailored interventions to address the digital health literacy needs of underprivileged populations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INFORMATICS
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Aida Isabel Tavares, Pedro Lopes Ferreira, Vitor Raposo, Carlota Quintal
Summary: Objectives: Portugal liberalised the over-the-counter drugs market in 2005 and provides universal healthcare coverage in a mainly Beveridge-type health system. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced healthcare to change how services were delivered, especially increasing remote consultations in primary care. This analysis aims to find the drivers for taking non-prescribed drugs during the pandemic in Portugal and understand the role of taking prescribed drugs and attending remote medical appointments in the self-medication decision.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Respiratory System
Charles C. Reilly, Katherine Bristowe, Anna Roach, Matthew Maddocks, Irene J. Higginson
Summary: The aim of this study was to explore the accessibility and willingness of patients with chronic breathlessness to use an internet-based self-management intervention. The findings suggest that patients with internet access have the potential to benefit from the online intervention.