Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Isabelle Auclair, Anne Bourbonnais, Audrey Lavoie, Jerome Leclerc-Loiselle
Summary: This scoping review aims to map the extent of knowledge on the inclusion of informal caregivers in palliative and end-of-life care for older adults. The study will collect publications through various methods, analyze data using content analysis in Excel, and present results through descriptive statistics and themes. Feedback from informal caregivers and health professionals will also be sought during the review process.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Kimesh Loganathan Naidoo, Sindiswa Dladla, Reratilwe Ephenia Mphahlele, Gioia Mosler, Sophie Muyemayema, Andrew Sentoogo Ssemata, Elizabeth Mkutumula, Olayinka Olufunke Adeyeye, Melinda Moyo, Olayinka Goodman, Yetunde Kuyinu, Rebecca Nantanda, Ismail Ticklay, Hilda Angela Mujuru, Jonathan Grigg, Refiloe Masekela
Summary: This study identifies barriers to and provides recommendations for improving asthma care in children in sub-Saharan Africa. Through qualitative thematic analysis of focus group discussions, barriers related to understanding asthma, diagnosis, caring for acute episodes, and medication use were identified. The study suggests the need for tailored education, simplified diagnostic pathways, and easier access to emergency care.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Megan C. Thomas Hebdon, Cuong Thi Thanh Phan, Carolyn Phillips, Shaowei Wan, Katherine Doyon, Tamryn Gray, Lee Ann Johnson, Vyshnavi Pottepalli, Stacy Fischer
Summary: This article introduces a study on informal care provided by caregivers in the USA for individuals with chronic illnesses and the financial burden they may face. The research will systematically search for the nature, scope, measurement, effect, and health system context of financial interventions.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Fiona Runacres, Peter Poon, Scott King, Julie Lustig, Anna Ugalde
Summary: Geriatricians generally believe that providing palliative care is important for patients, but there is potential for improved collaboration with specialist palliative care services. An evidence base is needed to determine which geriatric patients benefit most from specialist palliative care services, in order to improve resource allocation and collaborative practice in palliative care delivery.
Review
Urology & Nephrology
Nicola Wearne, Bianca Davidson, Tsepo Motsohi, Mignon Mc Culloch, Rene Krause
Summary: The incidence of end-stage kidney disease is rising globally, but access to kidney replacement therapy is limited in South Africa due to resource constraints. Rationing of dialysis is deemed appropriate by the South African Constitutional Court, leading to patients being placed on a palliative care pathway. A multidisciplinary approach is needed to manage symptoms effectively and provide support for patients with ESKD.
KIDNEY INTERNATIONAL REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Enrico G. Ferro, Shafika Abrahams-Gessel, David Kapaon, Brian Houle, Jacques Du Toit, Ryan G. Wagner, F. Xavier Gomez-Olive, Alisha N. Wade, Chodziwadziwa W. Kabudula, Stephen Tollman, Thomas A. Gaziano
Summary: According to a sociodemographic surveillance in rural South Africa from 2014 to 2019, there were similar rates of obesity but higher smoking and diabetes in the study participants in 2019 compared to 2014. There was no significant increase in hypertension prevalence, but a significant reduction in mean systolic blood pressure. The proportion of hypertensive individuals with controlled hypertension on medication increased, possibly due to improved medication access and adherence.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Samuel Ojima Adejoh, Florien Boele, David Akeju, Adlight Dandadzi, Elizabeth Nabirye, Eve Namisango, Elizabeth Namukwaya, Bassey Ebenso, Kennedy Nkhoma, Matthew J. Allsop
Summary: Informal caregivers play a crucial role in palliative care services in sub-Saharan Africa, coordinating emotional, practical, and health service matters while shouldering personal, social, and financial costs. They often make sacrifices related to employment, finances, and their own health and social life while meeting the majority of medical, physical, financial, and emotional needs of the care recipient. Efforts to develop comprehensive cancer control plans in the region need to take into consideration the increasing evidence of informal caregiver needs.
PALLIATIVE MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jenny T. van der Steen, Sten Heck, Carla C. M. Juffermans, Mirjam Marjolein Garvelink, Wilco P. Achterberg, Josephine Clayton, Genevieve Thompson, Raymond T. C. M. Koopmans, Yvette M. van der Linden
Summary: This study evaluated the acceptability and potential use of a QPL about palliative and end-of-life care in dementia among practitioners. The results showed that the QPL was generally acceptable, but some found it too long and expressed a need for training to answer the questions. Confidence in addressing questions about end-of-life care is crucial for successful implementation in practice.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Shuqin Zhu, Hanfei Zhu, Xintong Zhang, Kouying Liu, Zumei Chen, Xiaowen Yang, Changxian Sun, Weiping Xie, Qin Xu, Weiying Li, Dong Pang, Yan Cui, Hong Wang
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the care needs of dying patients and their family caregivers in hospice and palliative care in mainland China. A total of 18 articles were included, identifying that patients need a comfortable experience and family caregivers need to care for patients and themselves.
Editorial Material
Education & Educational Research
Riccardo Serraino, Darius Owachi, Susan Nassaka Byekwaso, Catherine Misango Namara, Kennedy Naigambi, Francesco Castelli, Carlo Torti
Summary: Makerere University College of Health Sciences in Kampala, Uganda, has formed partnerships with various institutions worldwide, such as the University of Brescia and Magna Gr & UAELIG;cia University, for student exchange. This article aims to discuss students' preparedness for international rotations based on the authors' experiences and selected papers on global health and ethical collaboration. Medical electives provide a unique opportunity for all students, not just those working in resource-limited settings, due to globalization. The emergence of ethical international collaborations is crucial for promoting and ensuring safe implementation of these projects, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
BMC MEDICAL EDUCATION
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Kate Clouse, Sandisiwe Noholoza, Nkosinathi Ngcobo, Sindiswa Madwayi, Megan Mrubata, Carol S. Camlin, Landon Myer, Tamsin K. Phillips
Summary: This study aims to improve engagement in HIV care for pregnant and postpartum women in South Africa by developing a smartphone application that uses GPS coordinates for real-time intervention. A randomized controlled pilot study was conducted to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy of the app intervention. The study enrolled 200 pregnant women living with HIV in Cape Town and collected data through questionnaires, GPS data from the app, and medical records. Further analyses will explore mobility patterns and assess the impact on engagement in care for the mother and infant.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Rendani Victress Ndou, Simeon Albert Materechera, Mulunda Mwanza, Wilfred Otang-Mbeng, Mooki Fabridge Ijane
Summary: This study aimed to document the knowledge of ethnoveterinary medicinal plants in four villages within the Mahikeng Local Municipality in order to preserve this valuable knowledge. The study found that ethnoveterinary medicine was widely used among livestock owners in the communities of the North West Province, with Senna italica (sebetebete) being the most commonly used species. Participants strongly recognized the cultural significance of plants in treating animal diseases, but expressed concern about the loss of this knowledge due to the influence of Western medicine and acculturation.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Portia Monnapula-Mazabane, Inge Petersen
Summary: This study aimed to understand the nature and context of mental health stigma among individuals with mental health conditions and its impact on their caregivers. The findings indicated limited knowledge and low mental health literacy among service users and caregivers, with both groups experiencing stigma from families and communities. The fear of stigma among caregivers had a negative impact on seeking treatment and impeded their ability to effectively support their family members. Interventions targeting psychoeducation, reducing community stigma, and supporting coping strategies for both caregivers and individuals with mental health conditions are needed.
CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Sarah Leavitt, Karen R. Jacobson, Elizabeth J. Ragan, Jacob Bor, Jennifer Hughes, Tara C. Bouton, Tania Dolby, Robin M. Warren, Helen E. Jenkins
Summary: South Africa decentralized treatment for rifampin-resistant tuberculosis in 2011 to reduce hospitalization durations and enable local treatment. A study in Western Cape Province found that patients from Cape Town had shorter hospitalizations and travel distances to TB hospitals compared to those from other areas.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Emergency Medicine
Sean Patrick Nordt, John M. Ryan, Daniel Kelly, Abdubadie Kutubi, Renad Saleh, Caitriona Quinn, Tariq Al Kharusi, Eoin J. Tiernan
Summary: This study aims to identify and assess the frequency of presenting complaints, primary diagnosis, triage acuity, and need for admission among palliative care patients in an Irish setting. The findings can help minimize unnecessary emergency department visits and improve patient care and quality of life.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Yujin Hwang, Dong Hun Lee, Holly G. Prigerson
Summary: This study demonstrates that the PG-13-K has good psychometric properties, stability, and predictive validity, making it a useful tool for assessing symptoms of prolonged grief disorder.
Letter
Health Care Sciences & Services
Ana Isabel Tergas, Holly G. Prigerson, Megan J. Shen, Alfred I. Neugut, Paul K. Maciejewski
JOURNAL OF PAIN AND SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Oluwatosin A. Ayeni, Shingirai Chiwambutsa, Wenlong Carl Chen, Nyasha Kapungu, Comfort Kanji, Roslyn Thelingwani, Nivashni Murugan, Rofhiwa Mathiba, Boitumelo Phakathi, Sarah Nietz, Duvern Ramiah, Daniel S. O'Neil, Judith S. Jacobson, Paul Ruff, Herbert Cubasch, Tobias Chirwa, Maureen Joffe, Collen Masimirembwa, Alfred I. Neugut
Summary: This study investigates the association between HIV infection and adherence to adjuvant tamoxifen in black South African women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. The results indicate that HIV-positive women are more likely to have non-adherence to tamoxifen compared to HIV-negative women, which may impact the overall survival of black South African women with breast cancer.
BREAST CANCER RESEARCH AND TREATMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Holly G. Prigerson, Martin Viola, Paul K. Maciejewski, Francesca Falzarano
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between advance care planning (ACP) activities and the likelihood of receiving value-concordant end-of-life care. It found that for patients who prioritize comfort, engaging in end-of-life discussions with physicians and completing Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) orders can improve the odds of receiving value-concordant care. However, for patients who prioritize life-extension, ACP does not appear to improve the odds of receiving value-concordant care.
Article
Surgery
Hyla-Louise Kluyts, Gillian J. Bedwell, Alemayehu G. Bedada, Tarig Fadalla, Adam Hewitt-Smith, Bernard A. Mbwele, Busisiwe Mrara, Akinyinka Omigbodun, Jones Omoshoro-Jones, Edwin W. Turton, Fitsum K. Belachew, Kathryn Chu, Esther Cloete, Gerald Ekwen, Mohamed Ahmed Elfagieh, Mahmoud Elfiky, Mayaba Maimbo, Atilio Morais, Christophe Mpirimbanyi, Dolly Munlemvo, Pisirai Ndarukwa, Isaac Smalle, Alexandra Torborg, Mpoki Ulisubisya, Maher Fawzy, Veekash Gobin, Motselisi Mbeki, Zipporah Ngumi, Ushmaben Patel-Mujajati, Hamza D. Sama, Janat Tumukunde, Akwasi Antwi-Kusi, Apollo Basenaro, Gillian Lamacraft, Farai Madzimbamuto, Salome Maswime, Vanessa Msosa, Wakisa Mulwafu, Coulibaly Youssouf, Rupert Pearse, Bruce M. Biccard
Summary: This study aimed to develop a standardized perioperative dataset for African clinicians to improve the quality of care. Using the Delphi method, consensus was achieved on including important data points in a minimum perioperative dataset through electronic surveys and online discussions. The results showed that a minimum dataset with 40 data points is important and feasible for electronic capturing during the perioperative workflow for clinicians.
WORLD JOURNAL OF SURGERY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Oncology
Holly Prigerson, Alfred Neugut
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Kelly M. McConnell, Madeline Rogers, Holly G. Prigerson, Paul K. Maciejewski, Bobby Daly, Ronald Adelman, Megan Shen
Summary: This case study illustrates the use of TAC to improve communication between an interracial friend dyad and the medical team, leading to better engagement in advance care planning.
Review
Oncology
Heather M. Derry-Vick, Lauren C. Heathcote, Nina Glesby, Judy Stribling, Matthew Luebke, Andrew S. Epstein, Holly G. Prigerson
Summary: Scanxiety, the distress and anxiety experienced before, during, and after cancer-related scans, is a common and upsetting phenomenon among cancer patients. In this literature review, we examined 36 articles on scanxiety in adults with current or prior cancer diagnoses to gain a better understanding of its nature, research gaps, and possible management strategies. We found that scanxiety occurs throughout the cancer journey and is triggered by various aspects of the scan experience, including the procedure itself and the implications of test results. The waiting period between the scan and receipt of results was reported as particularly stressful. This review also discusses measures and methods used in scanxiety research and how the findings can inform future research and approaches for managing scanxiety.
Article
Health Policy & Services
Ahmad Ashouri, Shahab Yousefi, Holly G. Prigerson
Summary: This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the PG-13-R and found that it showed good psychometric properties in the Iranian population.
PALLIATIVE & SUPPORTIVE CARE
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Megan J. Shen, Susie Cho, Claudia De Los Santos, Sarah Yarborough, Paul K. Maciejewski, Holly G. Prigerson
Summary: The goal of this study was to develop and optimize an intervention called Planning Your Advance Care Needs (PLAN) to improve engagement in advance care planning (ACP) among Latino patients with advanced cancer. Feedback from key stakeholders was obtained to modify and improve the intervention, and the results showed that the PLAN manual was perceived to be helpful and easy to understand. Future research will examine the acceptability, feasibility, and potential efficacy of this intervention.
Correction
Oncology
Oluwatosin A. Ayeni, Maureen Jofe, Witness Mapanga, Wenlong Carl Chen, Daniel S. O'Neil, Boitumelo Phakathi, Sarah Nietz, Ines Buccimazza, Sharon Cacala, Laura W. Stopforth, Judith S. Jacobson, Katherine D. Crew, Alfred I. Neugut, Duvern Ramiah, Paul Ruf, Herbert Cubasch, Tobias Chirwa, Valerie McCormack, Lisa K. Micklesfeld, Shane A. Norris
BREAST CANCER RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Oluwatosin A. Ayeni, Maureen Joffe, Witness Mapanga, Wenlong Carl Chen, Daniel S. O'Neil, Boitumelo Phakathi, Sarah Nietz, Ines Buccimazza, Sharon Cacala, Laura W. Stopforth, Judith S. Jacobson, Katherine D. Crew, Alfred I. Neugut, Duvern Ramiah, Paul Ruff, Herbert Cubasch, Tobias Chirwa, Valerie McCormack, Lisa K. Micklesfield, Shane A. Norris
Summary: This study investigated the impact of multimorbidity on overall survival among women with breast cancer in South Africa. The results showed that the presence of multiple chronic conditions is associated with lower overall survival in breast cancer patients, especially when accompanied by diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, HIV, and obesity.
BREAST CANCER RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Connor J. Kinslow, Prashanth Kumar, Mark Olfson, Melanie M. Wall, Petros D. Petridis, David P. Horowitz, Tony J. C. Wang, Lisa A. Kachnic, Simon K. Cheng, Holly G. Prigerson, James B. Yu, Alfred I. Neugut
Summary: The risk of suicide after cancer diagnosis is closely associated with cancer prognosis, and the impact of prognosis on suicide risk is greatest for populations with higher baseline suicide risk.
Proceedings Paper
Computer Science, Information Systems
Anna Xygkou, Panote Siriaraya, Alexandra Covaci, Holly G. Prigerson, Robert Neimeyer, Chee Siang Ang
Summary: In this study, the potential benefits and risks of using chatbots to help mourners cope with grief are explored through semi-structured interviews. Findings show that chatbots can assist individuals in managing grief by acting as a listener, simulating the deceased, serving as a romantic partner, friend, and emotion coach. The impact of interacting with chatbots on mourners' grief experience is also highlighted.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2023 CHI CONFERENCE ON HUMAN FACTORS IN COMPUTING SYSTEMS (CHI 2023)
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Psychiatry
Michael H. Antoni, Emily Walsh, Molly Ream, Chloe J. Taub, Dolores Perdomo, Michelle Zaydlin, Daniel O'Neil, Reshma Mahtani, Susan Kesmodel, Alain Diaz, Daniela Frasca, Bonnie Blomerg
PSYCHOSOMATIC MEDICINE
(2022)