Psychological distress in cancer from survivorship to end of life care: Prevalence, associated factors and clinical implications

2010 ◽  
Vol 46 (11) ◽  
pp. 2036-2044 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Gao ◽  
Michael I. Bennett ◽  
Daniel Stark ◽  
Scott Murray ◽  
Irene J. Higginson
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Life Care

Using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire to screen psychological distress from survivorship to end-of-life care: dimensionality and item quality

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 954-961 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Gao ◽  
Daniel Stark ◽  
Michael I. Bennett ◽  
Richard J. Siegert ◽  
Scott Murray ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
General Health ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Life Care ◽  
Health Questionnaire ◽  
Item Quality

scholarly journals Managing Grief of Bereaved Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoko Matsuda ◽  
Yoshitake Takebayashi ◽  
Satomi Nakajima ◽  
Masaya Ito
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Support System ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Japanese Culture ◽  
Life Care ◽  
Psychological Issues ◽  
Grieving Process ◽  
Bereaved Family

This commentary discussed the psychological issues related to bereavement in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, we addressed two aspects in the context of Japanese culture. The first relates to the psychological distress of members of the bereaved family who could not visit their loved ones who had COVID-19 before or after their death. The second relates to the bereavement experience of those who were unable to be with their loved ones when the end came, even though they did not have COVID-19, because of restrictions on visiting hospitals. We seek to focus on the need for a support system for bereaved families to help them through the grieving process, and discuss end-of-life care in such circumstances, and in the post-COVID-19 era, as in current day Japan.

scholarly journals Knowledge of palliative care and preference of end of life care: a cross-sectional survey of residents in the Chinese socio-cultural background of Macao

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuai In Tam ◽  
Sok Leng Che ◽  
Mingxia Zhu ◽  
Sok Man Leong
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Life Care ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Comfort Care ◽  
Study Results

Abstract Background Since the establishment of a hospice in the year 2000 and the development of a palliative care ward in 2019, there is no study examining public’s knowledge of palliative care, nor preference of end of life care in Macao. Aim Targeting Chinese residents of Macao, the current study has 3 goals: i) to understand the level of knowledge of palliative care, ii) to explore the preference of end of life treatments, and iii) to identify the associated factors of the preference of end of life treatments. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire. The study employed non-probability quota sampling through which Macao residents aged 18 and above were recruited between July and September 2020. Results A total of 737 responses were valid. The average correct rate of palliative care knowledge ranged from 40.4% to 85.5%. Pertaining to end of life treatments, 62.0% of the respondents chose comfort care. However, almost half of the respondents agreed that life-sustaining treatments should not be stopped under any circumstances. Respondents who scored higher in palliative care knowledge and those with secondary and tertiary education were associated factors of choosing comfort care rather than life-sustaining treatments. In addition, respondents who agreed that futile life-sustaining treatments should be stopped were also associated with preference for comfort care. Conclusion The understanding of palliative care amongst Macao residents is inadequate. Despite the public’s inclination towards comfort care, it is generally believed that life-sustaining treatments should not be stopped at the end of life. The study results suggest that not only the knowledge of palliative care should be enhanced amongst the general public in Macao, but information about life-sustaining treatments should also be offered to patients and families by healthcare professionals, in aiding end of life treatment decision making.

Future provision of home end-of-life care: Family carers’ willingness for caregiving and needs for support

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Wallace Chi Ho Chan
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Support Needs ◽  
Life Care ◽  
Family Carers ◽  
Additional Support

Abstract Objective This study aimed to examine family carers’ willingness, perceived difficulties and confidence in providing home end-of-life care to family members in future and their needs for support for doing so. Specific focus was on whether significant differences were found between carers of low and high levels of psychological distress. Method Family carers who had been providing care to family members living in the community were recruited via a local elderly agency in Hong Kong. A survey was conducted. Carers were asked to complete a questionnaire which included self-developed items, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Carers’ Support Need Assessment Tool. Results Of the 89 participants, 63.8% reported willingness to provide end-of-life care in future (increased to 78.5% if support needs were met), but most perceived it as difficult, and over half were not confident about doing so. The three greatest needs for support in end-of-life care are understanding the relative's illness, knowing what to expect in future, and knowing who to contact if concerned. Participants of the high psychological distress group experienced a significantly greater need for support in “dealing with your feelings and worries” and “looking after your own health.” Significance of Results Current family carers may not be ready for future provision of home end-of-life care. Meeting their support needs in providing end-of-life care is crucial to ensure the continuity of care provision. Psychologically distressed carers may often ignore self-care and may need helping professionals’ additional support.

The meaning of being in transition to end-of-life care for female partners of spouses with cancer

2009 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 423-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nisha Sutherland
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Palliative Care Service ◽  
Major Theme ◽  
Life Care ◽  
Female Partners ◽  
Anticipatory Mourning

AbstractObjective:Female partners of cancer patients are at high risk for psychological distress. However, the majority of studies have focused on measurement of female partners' psychological distress during diagnosis and early treatment. There is a gap in the literature with regard to qualitative studies that examine the experiences of female partners of spouses with cancer during the transition to end-of-life care. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the meaning of being in transition to end-of-life care among female partners of spouses with cancer.Methods:An interpretive phenomenological approach based on Gadamer's (1960/1975) philosophy was used to gain a deeper understanding of the phenomenon of end-of-life transition. Eight female partners from two in-patient hospices and a community-based palliative care service were interviewed using a semistructured approach.Results:Three major themes and associated subthemes were identified that outlined female partners' experiences. One major theme, Meaning of Our Lives, included the subthemes Our Relationship, Significance of His Life, and Searching for Understanding. In another theme, Dying with Cancer, partners undertook the Burden of Caring, experienced an Uncertain Path and were Looking for Hope. In the last theme, Glimpses of the Future, participants Faced Tomorrow and confirmed their Capacity to Survive.Significance of results:The results centered on three major concepts: meaning making, anticipatory mourning, and hope. Although meaning making has been identified as a fundamental way in which bereaved individuals cope with loss, results of this study suggested that female partners made meaning of their situations before their spouses' deaths. Participants also spontaneously described aspects of anticipatory mourning, thus, validating a concept that has been widely accepted despite limited research. Another finding was that participants shouldered the responsibility of adjusting spouses' hopes in order to help them to cope. Implications for practice and research are drawn from these findings.

Caregiver burden in end-of-life care: Advanced cancer and final stage of dementia

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 583-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gema Costa-Requena ◽  
MaCarmen Espinosa Val ◽  
Ramon Cristòfol
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Caregiver Burden ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Caregiver Distress ◽  
Life Care ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
End Stage

AbstractObjective:Considering two advanced illnesses, cancer and end-stage dementia, the aim of this study was to describe the symptoms of caregiver psychological distress and burden.Method:In this cross-sectional study, regression analyses were calculated to explain the influence of psychological distress in caregiver burden. A t test was employed to compare differences between the symptoms of caregiver burden.Results:The percentage of psychological distress was similar between caregivers of cancer patients (77.6%) and caregivers of dementia patients (72.4%). In the regression analysis, cancer caregiver distress accounted for 27.9% of the variance in symptoms of burden, while dementia caregiver distress accounted for 24.4% of the variance in symptoms of burden. No significant differences were revealed when comparing caregiver burden symptoms between caregivers of the two advanced illnesses (t = 0.06; p = 0.94).Significance of Results:In end-of-life care for patients with dementia, due to significant levels of caregiver distress and burden symptoms, there is a need to support caregivers in the same way as is done for caregivers of cancer patients.

Dysphagia in Hospice Care: The Roles of Social Work and Speech-Language Pathologists

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 173-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah Hinson ◽  
Aaron J. Goldsmith ◽  
Joseph Murray
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Hospice Care ◽  
Patient Communication ◽  
Life Care ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Four Levels

This article addresses the unique roles of social work and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in end-of-life and hospice care settings. The four levels of hospice care are explained. Suggested social work and SLP interventions for end-of-life nutrition and approaches to patient communication are offered. Case studies are used to illustrate the specialized roles that social work and SLP have in end-of-life care settings.

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