Search results for ‘Subject term:"end of life care"’ Sort:
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Research design in end-of-life research: state of science
- Author:
- GEORGE Linda K.
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 42(Special Issue III), October 2002, pp.86-98.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Although much has been learned from research to date, limitations in the knowledge base are substantial. The most fundamental problems identified are conceptual and include failure to define dying; neglect of the distinctions among quality of life, quality of death, and quality of end-of-life care. Methodologically, the single greatest problem is the lack of longitudinal studies that cover more than the time period immediately before death. Gaps in the research base include insufficient attention to psychological and spiritual issues, the prevalence of psychiatric disorder and the effectiveness of the treatment of such disorders among dying persons, provider and health system variables, social and cultural diversity, and the effects of comorbidity on trajectories of dying.
The experience of dying: an ethnographic nursing home study
- Author:
- KAYSER-JONES Jeanie
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 42(Special Issue III), October 2002, pp.11-19.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This article reviews the literature on "The Experience of Dying" and presents data from a larger, ongoing study of an ethnography of dying in nursing homes. The purpose of the ethnographic study was to investigate the process of providing end-of-life care to residents who were dying in nursing homes. The review of the literature disclosed that research on the experience of dying is limited; most of the studies have been conducted in acute care hospitals among people who were dying of cancer. The ethnographic study found that lack of attention to cultural needs, cognitive status, inadequate staffing, and inappropriate and inadequate communication between health care providers and nursing home residents and their families were the predominant factors that influenced the experience of dying.
Using focus groups to explore older people's attitudes to end of life care
- Authors:
- SEYMOUR Jane, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 22(4), July 2002, pp.517-526.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This article reports on the methodological and ethical issues that were encountered when using focus groups to explore older people's knowledge, beliefs and risk perceptions about the use of innovative technologies in end of life care. It offers an account of the management of informed consent and of the issues arising when discussing potentially distressing materials.
Obstacles to palliation and end of life care in a long term care facility
- Authors:
- TRAVIS Shirley, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 42(3), June 2002, pp.342-349.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This study describes the diverse end-of-life scenarios observed for a group of residents in a long-term care facility. A hierarchy of obstacles to palliation and end-of-life care seems to exist in long-term care settings that begins with the lack of recognition that restorative, rehabilitative, or curative treatment futility has commenced. The next three obstacles in sequence include lack of communication among decision makers, no agreement on a course of care, and failure to implement a timely plan of care. The findings highlight the importance of determining treatment futility as an initial step in the successful delivery of palliative and end-of-life care to residents in long-term care followed by the need for a deliberate and proactive series of actions and care planning processes
Analyzing end-of-life care legislation: a social work perspective
- Author:
- ROFF Sherri
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Health Care, 33(1), 2002, pp.51-68.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Several policy approaches are currently being considered in an attempt to organise an American national response to the crisis surrounding quality end-of-life care. Recent health care efforts aimed at supporting individuals facing advanced illness are marked by debate over assisted suicide, untimely referrals to hospice care, inconsistent adherence to advance directives, and substantive amounts of unrelieved pain in end-of-life. This article discusses recently proposed policy responses to the various political and social controversies surrounding end-of-life care for individuals facing advanced illness. The analysis will suggest criteria for evaluating end-of-life policy in general and offer a framework for evaluating proposed legislation. Highlights the implications for social work practice.