Article
Oncology
Armin Fereidouni, Mahmood Salesi, Maryam Rassouli, Fariba Hosseinzadegan, Mohammad Javid, Maryam Karami, Maryam Elahikhah, Salman Barasteh
Summary: The purpose of this study was to determine the preferred place of end-of-life care and death in cancer patients in Iran. The majority of cancer patients chose their homes as the preferred location for end-of-life care and final disposition. Researchers recommend strengthening the home care system to meet the needs of patients near the end of life.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Jennifer W. Mack, Colin Cernik, Hajime Uno, Lanfang Xu, Cecile A. Laurent, Lauren Fisher, Nancy Cannizzaro, Julie Munneke, Robert M. Cooper, Joshua R. Lakin, Corey M. Schwartz, Mallory Casperson, Andrea Altschuler, Lori Wiener, Lawrence Kushi, Chun R. Chao
Summary: This study aimed to characterize the prevalence and timing of conversations about goals of care and advance care planning among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer at the end of life, and to analyze the relationship between such conversations and end-of-life care measures.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Zhong Li, Ziqin Ding, Panpan Zhao
Summary: This study examines the differences in functional disability, place of death, and end-of-life medical expenditures between centenarians and non-centenarians in China. The results show that centenarians have higher rates of full and partial dependence in activities of daily living compared to other elderly individuals. They are also less likely to die in hospitals. These findings highlight the need for policy efforts to improve long-term and end-of-life care for the oldest-old population in China.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Jennifer Ailshire, Margarita Osuna, Jenny Wilkens, Jinkook Lee
Summary: This study indicates that family caregiving is universally important in determining where older adults die in both the United States and in Europe, with care from a spouse/partner or child/grandchild being more common and more strongly associated with place of death than care from other relatives. The associations between family caregiving and place of death were generally consistent across European welfare regimes.
JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES B-PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Javier Vargas-Herrera, Giovanni Meneses, Juan Cortez-Escalante
Summary: The study findings suggest that physicians' perceptions of SINADEF play a crucial role in influencing their intention to use the system, with perceived usefulness and ease of use identified as key predictors of physicians' behavioral intention to use SINADEF.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Helena Ullgren, Per Fransson, Anna Olofsson, Ralf Segersvard, Lena Sharp
Summary: The study revealed an increase in several aspects of intensity of care at the end-of-life, stressing the need for further exploration of the optimal organization of end-of-life care. The results indicate fragmentation of care and the necessity to better organize and coordinate care for vulnerable patients.
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
Critical Care Medicine
Melissa J. Bloomer, Kristen Ranse, Ashleigh Butler, Laura Brooks
Summary: This article introduces a Position Statement supported by the Australian College of Critical Care Nurses, aiming to provide practical recommendations for critical care nurses in the provision of adult end-of-life care. Through literature search and expert review, detailed practice recommendations were developed to assist nurses in delivering quality end-of-life care in the Australian critical care settings.
AUSTRALIAN CRITICAL CARE
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Kuai In Tam, Sok Leng Che, Mingxia Zhu, Sok Man Leong
Summary: This study explored the preferred place of care and death for Chinese residents in Macao. The majority of respondents preferred to be cared for at home in the last 6 months, but only a small proportion preferred to die at home. A significant number of respondents chose hospices or hospitals as their preferred place of death. The study suggests the need for palliative home care services in Macao and emphasizes the importance of education for healthcare professionals.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Lingling Xie, Defang Xiang, Haijun He, Tiemin Zhai, Zongfu Mao, Xiaohui Liang
Summary: This study provides potential references for improving life expectancy globally by examining the life expectancy of Non-Hispanic White Americans. The findings suggest that the life expectancy of Non-Hispanic White Americans is not as optimistic as that of European countries from 2006 to 2018.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Lone Ross, Mette Asbjoern Neergaard, Morten Aagaard Petersen, Mogens Groenvold
Summary: This study aims to assess non-specialized palliative care in Denmark and examine the evaluation and satisfaction of bereaved spouses. The results show that overall quality of care and satisfaction with the place of death were generally high, but lower ratings were given by spouses who reported higher distress when completing the questionnaire.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jun Hamano, Ayano Takeuchi, Masanori Mori, Yasuhiro Saitou, Takahide Yamaguchi, Nobuyuki Miyata, Masakatsu Shimizu, Ryo Yamamoto, Yousuke Kimura, Yoshiyuki Kamiyama, Yasuyuki Arai, Hiroshi Matsuo, Hideki Shishido, Kazushi Nakano, Tomohiro Nishi, Hiroka Nagaoka, Naosuke Yokomichi, Isseki Maeda, Takashi Yamaguchi, Tatsuya Morita, Takuya Shinjo
Summary: This study aimed to compare the survival times of advanced cancer patients receiving home-based and hospital-based palliative care. After adjusting for symptoms and treatments, the study found that patients receiving home-based palliative care had significantly longer survival times than those receiving hospital-based care.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Annelieke Driessen, Erica Borgstrom, Simon Cohn
Summary: In recent years, policies have encouraged patients to choose their place of death, with a focus on dying at home. However, there is a tendency to simplify the concept of preferred place of death as a static geographical location, overlooking the continuous efforts of palliative care teams to create suitable environments for the dying process.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Lone Ross, Mette Asbjoern Neergaard, Morten Aagaard Petersen, Mogens Groenvold
Summary: This study assessed the evaluation of end-of-life care by bereaved spouses of cancer patients who had received specialized palliative care. The results showed that the quality of care was rated very highly by the spouses, with the majority considering the services good or excellent. The place of death and levels of anxiety were found to be associated with the perceived quality of care.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Niki Marjerrison, Jarle Jakobsen, Paul A. Demers, Tom K. Grimsrud, Johnni Hansen, Jan Ivar Martinsen, Karl-Christian Nordby, Marit B. Veierod, Kristina Kjaerheim
Summary: Elevated cancer risk among firefighters has been observed. The study found that differences in incidence and mortality may arise from inconsistencies between sites of cancer diagnosis and cause of death.
OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Nuno Tavares, Nikki Jarrett, Tom M. A. Wilkinson, Katherine J. Hunt
Summary: Patients with COPD often do not discuss their care preferences with clinicians, leading to care that may not align with their preferences. Early and patient-centered discussions can help patients express their evolving care preferences and enable clinicians to provide timely and accurate information on disease progression and self-management techniques.
JOURNAL OF PALLIATIVE MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Primary Health Care
Julie Stevens, Rose Miranda, Luc Deliens, Peter Pype, Aline De Vleminck, Koen Pardon
Summary: This study found that providing information about ACP alone is not associated with a patient's ACP engagement. However, listening to patients' worries regarding their future health is an important factor for ACP engagement.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF GENERAL PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Nursing
Charlotte Boven, Liesbeth Van Humbeeck, Lieve van den Block, Ruth Piers, Nele Van Den Noortgate, Let Dillen
Summary: This study investigates the experiences of healthcare providers in the interaction with and provision of bereavement care to relatives during and after euthanasia. The findings show that healthcare providers strive to create a serene atmosphere throughout the euthanasia process to help relatives cope with their loss.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING STUDIES
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Aline De Vleminck, Lara Craenen, Julie Stevens, Valentine Lemaigre, Peter Pype, Luc Deliens, Koen Pardon
Summary: This study aimed to explore the extent to which patients with serious illness express emotional cues and concerns during advance care planning (ACP) conversations with their general practitioner (GP), as well as the content of cues/concerns and GPs' responses. The Verona Codes were used to code cues/concerns and responses in 20 conversations. A qualitative thematic analysis identified overarching themes within the content of the cues/concerns. The results showed that emotions were mainly communicated implicitly as cues and the content varied greatly. GPs should be attentive to implicit expressions of emotions and have recurrent conversations with patients about diverse ACP topics.
PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Wei Qi Koh, Tijs Vandemeulebroucke, Chris Gastmans, Rose Miranda, Lieve van den Block
Summary: Pet robots are being increasingly used to improve the wellbeing of people with dementia, but their implementation in nursing homes raises ethical debates. Care professionals and organisational leaders have different ethical intuitions regarding the use of pet robots. Future research should involve care practitioners, people with dementia, and their family members in the ethical dialogue to support the sustainable and ethical use of pet robots.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Romy Van Rickstal, Aline De Vleminck, Sebastiaan Engelborghs, Lieve van den Block
Summary: Despite the importance of advance care planning (ACP) for people with dementia, its uptake in this population is low. This study investigates physicians' experiences and perspectives on discussing ACP with people with young- and/or late-onset dementia. Five online focus groups were conducted with physicians from different specialisms, and results show that physicians acknowledge the value of ACP but face challenges in implementation.
FRONTIERS IN AGING NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Nursing
Pierre-Alain Charmillot, Lieve Van den Block, Mariska Oosterveld-Vlug, Sophie Pautex
Summary: This study examined the perceptions of healthcare professionals after implementing the PACE Steps to Success program in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Through qualitative descriptive study methods, thematic analysis was conducted on semi-structured face-to-face and group interviews with health professionals, PACE coordinators, and managers in four long-term home facilities. The results showed that the PACE program implementation improved communication with residents regarding end-of-life issues and helped identify patients' needs. Additionally, the introduction of codified tools supported decision-making and promoted inter-professional collaboration.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Fanny Monnet, Charles Dupont, Tinne Smets, Aline De Vleminck, Chantal Van Audenhove, Lieve Van den Block, Lara Pivodic
Summary: This paper presents a study protocol for the development and usability testing of an advance care planning (ACP) website designed for people with dementia and their families. The study aims to develop an ACP website in a user-centered manner, with the involvement of patients and the public. The results of the study will be used to refine the design and conduct a larger evaluation study.
JMIR RESEARCH PROTOCOLS
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Romy Van Rickstal, Aline De Vleminck, Kenneth Chambaere, Lieve Van den Block
Summary: Research showed that people with young-onset dementia and their family caregivers often discuss the topic of euthanasia when talking about advance care planning. Their considerations for euthanasia are usually related to the impact of disease progression on themselves and their loved ones. Caregivers also discuss the emotional impact of discussing euthanasia and share their opinions on euthanasia laws.
PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Hakki Demirkapu, Redouan Hajji, Brahim Chater, Stephanie De Maesschalck, Lieve Van den Block, Aline De Vleminck, Dirk Devroey
Summary: This study aimed to explore ACP-related knowledge, experience, views, facilitators and barriers among older Moroccan adults in Belgium. The 25 interviewees lacked ACP knowledge initially, but became more willing to discuss it after receiving concrete information. Barriers included lack of knowledge, fear of talking about death, and trust in children's decision-making ability. Facilitators included GPs' information provision and involvement of adult children.
PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING
(2023)
Article
Primary Health Care
Hakki Demirkapu, Lieve van den Block, Stephanie De Maesschalck, Aline De Vleminck, F. Zehra Colak, Dirk Devroey
Summary: There is a lack of knowledge and engagement in advance care planning among older Turkish-origin adults in Belgium requiring palliative care. This lack of engagement is linked to their family dynamics and religious beliefs.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF GENERAL PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Charlotte Boven, Let Dillen, Sigrid Dierickx, Lieve Van den Block, Ruth Piers, Nele Van Den Noortgate, Liesbeth Van Humbeeck
Summary: This study provides insight into the experiences of bereaved relatives in euthanasia processes and their interactions with healthcare providers. The study found that relatives wanted to be involved early on and appreciated support from healthcare providers. Achieving peace and maintaining a serene atmosphere were important for relatives' grief process.
QUALITATIVE HEALTH RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Charless Dupont, Fanny Monnet, Lara Pivodic, Aline De Vleminck, Chantal Van Audenhove, Lieve Van den Block, Tinne Smets
Summary: This article introduces the development and evaluation of a web-based advance care planning (ACP) tool for people with dementia and their families. The study uses innovative methods to involve people with dementia in the research without overburdening them. The combination of interviews, surveys, and ongoing data logging provides valuable insights into the use of support tools in daily contexts.
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Louise D'Eer, Kenneth Chambaere, Lieve van den Block, Sarah Dury, Libby Sallnow, Luc Deliens, Tinne Smets, Joachim Cohen
Summary: This study conducted a survey to measure the extent and nature of neighborhood participation regarding serious illness, death, and loss, and found a positive association with perceived neighborhood social cohesion and previous experiences with these topics. Future research should explore strategies to transform death literacy into neighborhood participation.
