Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Andy Bradshaw, Sophia Ostler, Claire Goodman, Izabele Batkovskyte, Clare Ellis-Smith, India Tunnard, Anna E. Bone, Stephen Barclay, Martin Vernon, Irene J. Higginson, Catherine J. Evans, Katherine E. Sleeman
Summary: This study investigated the impact of COVID-19 on the provision of palliative and end-of-life care in UK care homes. The results emphasize the importance of relationship-centered care and highlight the need for policy priorities such as integration, digital inclusivity, workforce development, and support for care home managers. These findings contribute to the broader discussions and initiatives on improving palliative care globally.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Estela Garcia-Martin, Vicente Escudero-Vilaplana, Barbara Fox, Roberto Collado-Borrell, Belen Marzal-Alfaro, Maria Sanchez-Isac, Maria Luisa Solano-Garzon, Ricardo Gonzalez del Val, Jose Manuel Cano-Gonzalez, Nuria Perez de Lucas, Ana Isabel Bravo-Guillen, Javier Valero-Salinas, Eva Gonzalez-Haba, Maria Sanjurjo, Miguel Martin
Summary: The study found that end-of-life cancer care in the clinical practice of the hospital tended to be aggressive, with a significant proportion of patients receiving anti-cancer treatments close to death. However, the quality of care did not meet the high standards set by the Earle criteria. While more than half of the patients received hospice services before death, in some cases, this care started only shortly before the patients passed away.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2021)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Si Qi Yoong, Hongli Sam Goh, Hui Zhang
Summary: This scoping review provides an overview of existing knowledge on death doulas, including their roles, care impact, training, and regulation. The study finds that death doulas play diverse roles in end-of-life care, providing psychosocial, spiritual, practical support, companionship, and resource navigation. The positive impacts of engaging a death doula include continuous presence, holistic service, and flexible payment regime, while the negative aspects include role inconsistencies and confusion among healthcare professionals and the public.
PALLIATIVE MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Nursing
Karen Higginbotham, Ian Jones, Martin Johnson
Summary: This study explored how healthcare professionals and patients negotiate decision making in end stage heart failure care, leading to key themes of symptom recognition, care organization, and information provision.
JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Tatsuhiro Shibata, Kazutoshi Mawatari, Naoko Nakashima, Koutatsu Shimozono, Kouko Ushijima, Yumiko Yamaji, Kumi Tetsuka, Miki Murakami, Kouta Okabe, Toshiyuki Yanai, Shoichiro Nohara, Jinya Takahashi, Hiroki Aoki, Hideo Yasukawa, Yoshihiro Fukumoto
Summary: The study found that HF-specific palliative care team activities positively impact EOLC discussions, therapy and care for HF patients, reducing invasive procedures, increasing the use of symptom relief medications, improving meal quality, and enhancing participation in EOLC discussions.
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Anna Kowalczys, Michal Bohdan, Alina Wilkowska, Iga Pawlowska, Leszek Pawlowski, Piotr Janowiak, Ewa Jassem, Malgorzata Lelonek, Marcin Gruchala, Piotr Sobanski
Summary: Heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are major burdens worldwide, often coexisting and leading to worsened quality of life and mortality. Palliative care plays a significant role in improving the quality of life for people with these conditions, and early integration is emphasized in current guidelines.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Carl J. Hoijer, Miriam J. Johnson
Summary: In 2018, 11% of heart failure patients who died in Sweden and had an implanted cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) received Specialized Palliative Care (SPC). Among those who died outside of hospital, 52% had their ICD deactivated prior to death, with 78% of those accessing SPC having their ICD deactivated.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Ju-Hee Lee, Kyung-Kuk Hwang
Summary: Efforts to improve end-of-life care should focus not only on cancer patients, but also on patients with other serious medical illnesses such as heart failure. Recent guidelines for heart failure provide more clinical considerations for palliative care, emphasizing the importance of early discussions on end-of-life issues and communication with patients and families to establish treatment goals.
KOREAN CIRCULATION JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Mana Doi, Yukie Maruyama, Akiko Kaneda, Maya Minamizaki, Masami Fukada, Yuka Kanoya
Summary: This study aims to describe comprehensive nursing practice for older patients with heart failure at their end of life. The findings show that specialized nurses provide acute care, palliative care, and psychological support to alleviate physical and mental symptoms throughout the different stages of chronic heart failure. In addition to nursing care by specialized nurses at each stage shown in this study, it is important to initiate advance care planning early in the end-of-life stage and to provide care for patients with multiple professionals.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Shelli L. Feder, Janet Tate, Mary Ersek, Supriya Krishnan, Sarwat Chaudhry, Lori A. Bastian, Joshua Rolnick, Ann Kutney-Lee, Kathleen M. Akgun
Summary: By analyzing data of heart failure patients, it was found that patients who died in hospitals with higher EOLC quality were more likely to receive supportive EOLC, including palliative care consultation, chaplaincy, bereavement services, and inpatient hospice, and were less likely to die in the intensive care unit.
JOURNAL OF PAIN AND SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Astrid Schnabel, Florian Lordick, Paula Oberth, Markus Neuschulz, Antje Lehmann-Laue, Anja Mehnert-Theuerkauf, Andreas Hinz
Summary: This study analyzed the relationship between supportive care needs (SCNs), satisfaction with quality of life (QoL) dimensions, and the perceived importance of these dimensions among 152 cancer patients receiving palliative care. The results showed that the greatest SCNs were observed for absence of pain, while the patients were least satisfied with their physical functioning and the dimension social relationships received the highest perceived importance ratings.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Abigail L. Latimer, Melanie D. Otis, Christopher Flaherty, Miriam A. Ross
Summary: This study explored the association between VAD coordinators' unique roles and responsibilities and moral distress, identifying team communication, competence, and location of VAD discontinuation as potential important factors related to VAD coordinators' distress. Further research with larger sample sizes and continued exploration of training and curriculum impact is needed.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Massimo Romano
Summary: Heart failure is a common and clinically challenging disease with high morbidity and mortality. However, compared to cancer patients, the palliative care needs of heart failure patients are often overlooked. Some key unresolved issues regarding early referral to palliative care programs need to be addressed, including patient selection criteria, roles of healthcare providers, and timing for promoting patient awareness and shared decision-making.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
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
Katharine E. Brock, Nicholas P. DeGroote, Anna Roche, Annika Lee, Karen Wasilewski
Summary: The Supportive Care Clinic (SCC) has been successful as an embedded pediatric palliative care (PPC) service in pediatric oncology, achieving significant growth in outpatient visits and improving end-of-life care for children with cancer.
JOURNAL OF PAIN AND SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Joanna M. Davies, Katherine E. Sleeman, Christina Ramsenthaler, Wendy Prentice, Matthew Maddocks, Fliss E. M. Murtagh
Summary: This study examined the association between socioeconomic position and the symptoms and concerns of older adult patients receiving specialist palliative care. It found that patients living in more deprived areas had higher scores on the communication and practical concerns subscale, indicating greater difficulties in these areas. However, deprivation was not associated with scores on the physical or emotional symptoms subscales. Targeting resources to address practical and communication concerns could be a strategy to reduce inequalities in end-of-life care.
PALLIATIVE MEDICINE
(2023)
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
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Fliss E. M. Murtagh, Mabel Okoeki, Blessing Onyinye Ukoha-kalu, Assem Khamis, Joseph Clark, Jason W. Boland, Sophie Pask, Ugochinyere Nwulu, Helene Elliott-Button, Anna Folwell, Daniel Harman, Miriam J. Johnson
Summary: In this study, researchers evaluated the effectiveness of a new integrated care service in improving the wellbeing and quality of life of older people living with severe frailty. The results showed that the integrated care service improved wellbeing within 2-4 weeks and this improvement was sustained at three months.
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
Mevhibe L. Hocaoglu, Fliss E. M. Murtagh, Catherine E. Walshe, Rachel O. Chambers, Matthew Maddocks, Katherine Sleeman, Adejoke Oluyase, Lesley K. Dunleavy, Andy Bradshaw, Sabrina J. Bajwah, Lorna Fraser, Nancy Preston, Irene Higginson
Summary: This study adapted and tested the measurement properties of the proxy version of the Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale-IPOS-COV for severe COVID, aiming to capture symptoms and concerns of patients. The results showed that the modified scale demonstrated good reliability and validity.
HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE OUTCOMES
(2023)
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.
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Hannah May Scott, Debbie Braybrook, Daney Haroardottir, Clare Ellis-Smith, Richard Harding, C POS
Summary: This systematic review examines the determinants, strategies, and mechanisms that influence the implementation of person-centred outcome measures (PCOMs) in paediatric healthcare practice. The review identified several barriers to implementation including staff lack of knowledge, complexity of using the measure, and a lack of resources. Facilitating factors include staff and family education, and the benefits of using PCOMs on patient care and outcomes. The resulting logic model presents strategies to reduce barriers and promote the use of PCOMs in practice.
HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE OUTCOMES
(2023)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Anna Collins, David Hui, Sara N. Davison, Kathryn Ducharlet, Fliss Murtagh, Yuchieh Kathryn Chang, Jennifer Philip
Summary: For patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD), access to palliative care is often delayed or absent. This study aimed to identify criteria for referral to specialist palliative care for adults with advanced CKD and improve the utilization of these services. The results showed that clinicians consider various criteria, such as treatment decision making, symptoms, prognosis, age, and comorbidities, when considering referral to palliative care.
JOURNAL OF PAIN AND SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Lucy Coombes, Daney Haroardottir, Debbie Braybrook, Hannah May Scott, Katherine Bristowe, Clare Ellis-Smith, Lorna K. Fraser, Julia Downing, Myra Bluebond-Langner, Fliss E. M. Murtagh, Richard Harding
Summary: This study highlights the importance and feasibility of involving key stakeholders in the generation of outcome measure items in pediatric palliative care, as important differences were found in the priority outcomes identified by children, parents, and professionals.
PALLIATIVE MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alison Bravington, George Obita, Elin Baddeley, Miriam J. Johnson, Fliss E. M. Murtagh, David C. Currow, Elaine G. Boland, Annmarie Nelson, Kathy Seddon, Alfred Oliver, Simon I. R. Noble, Jason W. Boland
Summary: This study aimed to develop a Core Outcome Set for the assessment of inoperable malignant bowel obstruction with the involvement of clinicians, patients, and caregivers, using the COMET methodology. Through a systematic review, a rapid review, and in-depth interviews, a comprehensive list of outcomes was identified and consolidated. In the Delphi process, 16 core outcomes were agreed upon by stakeholders in the areas of symptom control, life impact, treatment outcomes, and communication and patient preferences.
Article
Hematology
J. Goedegebuur, D. Abbel, S. Accassat, W. P. Achterberg, A. Akbari, V. M. Arfuch, E. Baddeley, J. J. Bax, D. Becker, B. Bergmeijer, L. Bertoletti, J. W. Blom, A. Calvetti, S. C. Cannegieter, L. Castro, N. Coma-Auli, N. H. Chavannes, C. Couffignal, A. Edwards, M. Edwards, H. Enggaard, C. Font, A. Gava, G. J. Geersing, E. C. T. Geijteman, S. Greenley, C. Gregory, J. Gussekloo, I. Hoffmannu, A. A. Hojen, W. B. van den Hout, M. V. Huisman, S. Jacobsen, J. Jagosh, M. J. Johnson, L. Jorgensen, C. C. M. Juffermans, E. K. Kempers, S. Konstantinides, A. F. Kroder, M. J. H. A. Kruip, L. Lafaie, J. W. Langendoen, T. B. Larsen, K. Lifford, Y. M. van der Linden, I. Mahe, L. Maiorana, A. Maraveyas, E. S. L. Martens, D. Mayeur, T. E. van Mens, K. Mohr, S. P. Mooijaart, F. E. M. Murtagh, A. Nelson, P. B. Nielsen, A. G. Ording, M. Orskov, M. Pearson, G. Poenou, J. E. A. Portielje, D. Raczkiewicz, K. Rasmussen, E. Trinks-Roerdink, I. Schippers, K. Seddon, K. Sexton, S. Sivell, F. Skjoth, M. Sogaard, S. Szmit, S. Trompet, P. Vassal, C. Visser, L. M. van Vliet, E. Wilson, F. A. Klok, S. I. R. Noble
Summary: The SERENITY consortium aims to develop an information-driven shared decision support tool for the appropriate use of antithrombotic therapy in people with cancer at the end of life. The use of this tool is expected to enhance empowerment and improve quality of life and treatment satisfaction for patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers.
THROMBOSIS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Andrew Papworth, Julia Hackett, Bryony Beresford, Fliss Murtagh, Helen Weatherly, Sebastian Hinde, Andre Bedendo, Gabriella Walker, Jane Noyes, Sam Oddie, Chakrapani Vasudevan, Richard G. Feltbower, Bob Phillips, Richard Hain, Gayathri Subramanian, Andrew Haynes, Lorna K. Fraser
Summary: This qualitative study explores regional perspectives on the successes and challenges of coordinating and delivering end-of-life care for children in the UK. The findings highlight the importance of collaborative and network approaches, as well as effective communication, in facilitating good end-of-life care. However, consistent funding and staff education and training need to be addressed to improve the delivery and experiences of care.
BMC PALLIATIVE CARE
(2023)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Carole A. Paley, Jason W. Boland, Martina Santarelli, Fliss E. M. Murtagh, Lucy Ziegler, Emma J. Chapman
Summary: This study systematically reviewed non-pharmacological interventions for cancer-related psychological distress and found that most studies using mindfulness interventions were effective in alleviating distress.
BMC PALLIATIVE CARE
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Andre Bedendo, Sebastian Hinde, Bryony Beresford, Andrew Papworth, Bob Phillips, Chakrapani Vasudevan, Emma McLorie, Gabriella Walker, George Peat, Helen Weatherly, Richard Feltbower, Catherine Hewitt, Andrew Haynes, Fliss Murtagh, Jane Noyes, Julia Hackett, Richard Hain, Sam Oddie, Gayathri Subramanian, Lorna Fraser
Summary: The objective of this study is to gather information on the professional team members, services provided, funding sources and population served for all consultant-led specialised paediatric palliative care teams in the UK. The findings show that only six services meet the minimum criteria defined by NICE. Most services provide symptom management, specialist nursing care, end-of-life planning and care, and support for discharges and transfers. Additionally, charity funding plays a significant role in funding the services.
BMJ SUPPORTIVE & PALLIATIVE CARE
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Lucy Coombes, Daney Haroardottir, Debbie Braybrook, Anna Roach, Hannah Scott, Katherine Bristowe, Clare Ellis-Smith, Julia Downing, Myra Bluebond-Langner, Lorna K. Fraser, Fliss E. M. Murtagh, Richard Harding
Summary: This study aimed to identify preferences for the design of a patient-reported outcome measure among children with life-limiting conditions. The findings suggest that children have specific preferences for recall period, response format, length, and administration mode. It highlights the importance of involving children in the measure development process to enhance acceptability and uptake in clinical practice.
PATIENT-PATIENT CENTERED OUTCOMES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Samantha Horn, Yana Litovsky, George Loewenstein
Summary: This study suggests that curiosity can be a useful tool in increasing demand for and engagement with aversive health information. By manipulating curiosity through various methods, researchers found that participants were more likely to view and engage with information about their drinking habits, cancer risk, and the sugar content in drinks. Overall, curiosity prompts provide a simple and effective way to increase engagement with aversive health information.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2024)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sandra Gillner
Summary: Despite high expectations, the extensive and rapid adoption of AI in medical diagnostics has not been realized. This study investigates the perception and navigation of AI providers in complex healthcare systems, revealing their self-organization to increase adaptability and the practices utilized to mitigate tensions within the healthcare subsystems.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2024)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Fabian Duartea, Alvaro Jimenez-Molina
Summary: This study found that violence related to social protest has a significant impact on depressive symptoms, leading to an increase in depression among the population in Chile. The effect varies by gender and age, with a stronger influence on men and young adults.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2024)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nick Graetz, Carl Gershenson, Sonya R. Porter, Danielle H. Sandler, Emily Lemmerman, Matthew Desmond
Summary: Investments in stable, affordable housing may be an important tool for improving population health. This study, using administrative data, found that high rent burden, increases in rent burden during midlife, and evictions were associated with increased mortality.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2024)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Wan Wei
Summary: This study explores the phenomenon of other patient participation in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), uncovering the various roles that third parties can assume during medical interactions. The findings contribute to existing research on patient resistance and triadic medical interactions, providing insights into the dynamics and implications of third-party involvement in medical consultations.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2024)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Harry Scarbrough, Katie Rose M. Sanfilippo, Alexandra Ziemann, Charitini Stavropoulou
Summary: This paper examines the contribution of pilot implementation studies to the wider spread and sustainability of innovation in healthcare systems. Through an empirical examination of an innovation intermediary organization in the English NHS, the study finds that their work in mobilizing pilot-based evidence involves configuring to context, transitioning evidence, and managing the transition. The findings contribute to theory by showing how intermediary roles can support the effective transitioning of pilot-based evidence, leading to more widespread adoption and sustainability of innovation.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2024)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Marta Seiz, Leire Salazar, Tatiana Eremenko
Summary: This study examines the impact of maternal educational selection on birth outcomes during an economic recession, and finds that more educated mothers are more likely to give birth during high unemployment periods. Additionally, maternal education mitigates the adverse effects of unemployment on birth outcomes and is consistently associated with better perinatal health.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2024)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jingyuan Shi, Hye Kyung Kim, Charles T. Salmon, Edson C. Tandoc Jr, Zhang Hao Goh
Summary: This study examines the influence of individual and collective norms on COVID-19 vaccination intention across eight Asian countries. The findings reveal nuanced patterns of how individual and collective social norms influence health behavioral decisions, depending on the degree of cultural tightness-looseness.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2024)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Elliot Friedman, Melissa Franks, Elizabeth Teas, Patricia A. Thomas
Summary: This study found that positive relations with others have a significant impact on functional limitations and longevity in aging adults, independent of social integration and social support.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2024)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Zhuolin Pan, Yuqi Liu, Ye Liu, Ziwen Huo, Wenchao Han
Summary: This study examines the effects of age-friendly neighbourhood environment and functional abilities on life satisfaction among older adults in urban China. The findings highlight the importance of transportation, housing, and social and physical environment factors in influencing functional abilities and life satisfaction. The study provides valuable insights for policymakers in enhancing older adults' life satisfaction in the Chinese urban context.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2024)
