Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 119 in total

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  1. Khoo EJ
    PMID: 37945387 DOI: 10.1016/j.cppeds.2023.101452
    The evolution of paediatric palliative care in Malaysia has followed a distinct trajectory compared to adult palliative care. While adult palliative care was well-established by the mid-1990s, paediatric palliative care was still then largely ad hoc, with individual paediatricians and NGOs taking on the responsibility. Despite progress over the last decade, challenges persist. There is a shortage of trained paediatricians in this subspecialty, and financial constraints hinder progress. Decision-making in paediatric palliative care is also influenced by cultural values, religious beliefs, and societal norms. Parents are steered by cultural practices and the guidance of elder family members in a setting of communitarian traditions that are prevalent in Asian cultures. Discussions about end-of-life matters are hampered by cultural taboos. Additionally, the hierarchical medical culture, where doctors are seen as authoritative, hinder patients, including parents, from taking an active role in decision-making. The paper exemplifies these complexities through a case study, where the family's hopes and concerns were overlooked in a hectic and hurried hospital environment. The narrative calls for a compassionate, collaborative ecosystem that bridges cultural gaps and embraces shared decision-making in paediatric palliative care. It emphasizes the need to harmonize palliative care with societal values, involving healthcare providers, families, and the community. However, recognizing individual preferences and avoiding cultural assumptions are crucial. Healthcare professionals must develop skills in cultural diversity, delivering distressing news with compassion, and effectively communicate to involve families in decision-making, all while respecting their beliefs and values.
    Matched MeSH terms: Palliative Care*
  2. Lai CCK, Yaacub YJ, Siow YC, Baharum N
    Med J Malaysia, 2023 Nov;78(6):780-786.
    PMID: 38031221
    INTRODUCTION: Prolonged grief disorder (PGD) is a diagnosis characterised by severe, persistent and disabling grief beyond 6 months post-death of a loved one. The new text revision of DSM-5 (DSM-5-TR) approved a new diagnosis PGD on March 2022. In Malaysia, PGD is not routinely screened in healthcare settings and hence goes untreated. The aim of this study is to identify prevalence and factors related to PGD among bereaved relatives whose loved ones had access to PCU services.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving bereaved individuals in Palliative Care Unit Hospital Selayang. Participants (n=175) were recruited through telephone, and a validated tool Prolonged Grief Disorder Scale (PG-13) was asked to identify PGD. Further data collected were concomitant stressors in life and support system in the bereaved individual.

    RESULTS: Prevalence of PGD was 2.9% (n=5), and subthreshold PGD was 4% (n=7). A model of multiple logistic regression calculated most of the traditional risk factors were not significant except having an increased responsibility as a single parent after passing of a spouse or loved one, had 10 times increased odds of PGD (Odds Ratios: 10.93; 95% Confidence Interval: 2.937, 40.661). Otherwise, immediate family support (80%), religion (60%) and community (40%) support were the top three coping mechanisms of our PGD cohort, although they were not significant in a multiple logistic regression model.

    CONCLUSION: Our PGD percentage may not be as high as those of other countries, but nonetheless they exist and their needs are just as important. The authors hope that this paper may create an awareness among the healthcare clinicians about PGD in our society, for a greater access of service to understand them and better public awareness.

    Matched MeSH terms: Palliative Care
  3. Lim RBL, Yeat CL, Vighneshvaran R, Kasinathan N, Ahmad Subki SZ, Singh AHS, et al.
    J Pain Symptom Manage, 2023 Sep;66(3):221-229.
    PMID: 37295564 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2023.05.017
    INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: This national audit involving Ministry of Health (MOH) Hospitals aimed to map out the levels of development of palliative care services and essential palliative medication availability in Malaysia.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online survey coupled with manual follow up was conducted throughout all MOH hospitals in Malaysia. Data collected described elements of the palliative care service(PCS) based on the WHO public health model. Data was computed using a novel matrix to determine three key indices which were the 1) palliative care development score (PCDS), 2)essential medications availability score (EMAS) and 3) opioid availability score (OAS). These scores then allowed mapping of PCS according to scores of 1-4 (1=least developed, 4=most developed).

    FINDINGS: Out of all 140 MOH hospitals 88.6% (124) completed the PCDS survey, 120(85.7%) for the EMAS survey and 140 (100%) for the OAS survey. A total of 32(25.8%) hospitals had formal PCS with 8(25%) having resident palliative physicians (RPP), 8(25%) visiting palliative physicians(VPP) and 16(50%) no palliative physician (NPP). Out of these services, 17 (53%) had dedicated palliative care beds. In the PCDS survey, hospitals with PCS had significantly higher mean PCDS of 2.59 compared to 1.02 for non-PCS hospitals (P<0.001). The EMAS survey showed 109(90.8%) hospitals had EMAS of four and the OAS survey showed that 135(96.4%) hospitals had oral morphine available.

    CONCLUSION: This study shows that palliative care service development in MOH hospitals is still very limited however, majority of MOH hospitals in Malaysia have all the essential medications and oral morphine available.

    Matched MeSH terms: Palliative Care*
  4. Yu J, Soh KL, He L, Wang P, Soh KG, Cao Y
    Am J Hosp Palliat Care, 2023 Sep;40(9):1029-1039.
    PMID: 36400563 DOI: 10.1177/10499091221141063
    AIM: Explore the existing literature on the experience and needs of palliative nurses facing job burnout.

    BACKGROUND: On a global scale, with the increase of aging, the number of people in need of palliative care has increased significantly, which has a huge impact on the professional pressure of palliative nurses. Existing literature focuses on examining palliative care from the perspective of patients, but palliative nurses also face the threats to physical and mental health caused by job burnout.

    EVALUATION: A systematic literature search has been carried out in the following databases as of October 2021:PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Scopus. The Cochrane Library and Joanna Briggs Institute Library were also searched to confirm if there are any available systematic reviews on the subject. Manually searched the reference list of included papers.

    KEY ISSUES: Seventeen studies were included in this review. Five key issues in the palliative care nurse's experience: (1) psychological harm, (2) physical symptoms, (3) negative emotions, (4) Burnout caused by communication barriers, and (5) Lack of experience. Two key issues in the needs of palliative care nurses: (1) social support, and (2) training and education.

    CONCLUSION: The pressure of facing death for a long time and controlling the symptoms of patients has a very important impact on the mental and physical health of palliative nurses. Nursing staff have needed to be satisfied, and it is essential to provide support and help relieve the pressure on palliative nurses.

    Matched MeSH terms: Palliative Care/psychology
  5. Yip YY, Hwong WY, McCarthy SA, Hassan Chin AA, Woon YL
    J Palliat Care, 2023 Apr;38(2):111-125.
    PMID: 36464769 DOI: 10.1177/08258597221143195
    Background: Addressing timely community palliative care integration is prioritized due to the increased burden of noncommunicable diseases. Objectives: To compare referral-to-death duration among palliative cancer and noncancer patients and to determine its associated factors in a Malaysian community palliative care center. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included decedents referred to a Malaysian community palliative care center between January 2017 and December 2019. Referral-to-death is the interval between the date of community palliative care referral and to date of death. Besides descriptive analyses, negative binomial regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with referral-to-death among both groups. Results: Of 4346 patients referred, 86.7% (n  =  3766) and 13.3% (n  =  580) had primary diagnoses of cancer and noncancer respectively. Median referral-to-death was 32 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 12-81) among cancer patients and 19 days (IQR: 7-78) among noncancer patients. The shortest referral-to-death among cancer patients was for liver cancer (median: 22 days; IQR: 8-58.5). Noncancer patients with dementia, heart failure, and multisystem organ failure had the shortest referral-to-death at 14 days. Among cancer patients, longer referral-to-death was associated with women compared to men (IRR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.16-1.36) and patients 80 to 94 years old compared to those below 50 years old (IRR: 1.19; 95% CI: 1.02-1.38). Cancer patients with analgesics prescribed before or upon referral had 29% fewer palliative care days compared to no prescribing analgesics. In contrast, noncancer patients 50 to 64 years old had shorter referral-to-death compared to those below 50 years old (IRR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.28-0.91). Conclusion: Shorter referral-to-death among noncancer patients indicated possible access inequities with delayed community palliative care integration. Factors associated with referral-to-death are considered in developing targeted approaches ensuring timely and equitable community palliative care.
    Matched MeSH terms: Palliative Care
  6. Vollstedt EJ, Madoev H, Aasly A, Ahmad-Annuar A, Al-Mubarak B, Alcalay RN, et al.
    PLoS One, 2023;18(10):e0292180.
    PMID: 37788254 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292180
    Parkinson's disease (PD) is the fastest-growing neurodegenerative disorder, currently affecting ~7 million people worldwide. PD is clinically and genetically heterogeneous, with at least 10% of all cases explained by a monogenic cause or strong genetic risk factor. However, the vast majority of our present data on monogenic PD is based on the investigation of patients of European White ancestry, leaving a large knowledge gap on monogenic PD in underrepresented populations. Gene-targeted therapies are being developed at a fast pace and have started entering clinical trials. In light of these developments, building a global network of centers working on monogenic PD, fostering collaborative research, and establishing a clinical trial-ready cohort is imperative. Based on a systematic review of the English literature on monogenic PD and a successful team science approach, we have built up a network of 59 sites worldwide and have collected information on the availability of data, biomaterials, and facilities. To enable access to this resource and to foster collaboration across centers, as well as between academia and industry, we have developed an interactive map and online tool allowing for a quick overview of available resources, along with an option to filter for specific items of interest. This initiative is currently being merged with the Global Parkinson's Genetics Program (GP2), which will attract additional centers with a focus on underrepresented sites. This growing resource and tool will facilitate collaborative research and impact the development and testing of new therapies for monogenic and potentially for idiopathic PD patients.
    Matched MeSH terms: Palliative Care
  7. Tata MD, Mahazir NQA, Keat OW, Burud IAS
    Ghana Med J, 2022 Jun;56(2):95-99.
    PMID: 37449258 DOI: 10.4314/gmj.v56i2.6
    OBJECTIVES: To evaluate a newly developed, self-expandable anti-reflux Trumpet (ART) stent customized for cardio oesophageal junctional (COJ) cancer on the feasibility of deployment, stent migration, quality of life, and symptom relief.

    DESIGN: Prospective case series, Proof of concept pilot study.

    SETTING: Tertiary Health Care Center, Hospital Tuanku Jaafar, Seremban, Malaysia. Department of Surgery.

    PARTICIPANTS: A total of 17 patients diagnosed with advanced COJ tumour and who had never undergone any surgical, endoscopic, or chemoradiotherapy and indicated for stenting were recruited.

    INTERVENTIONS: The study period was over nine months, and follow-up was one-month post-stenting.

    MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Endpoint measures were feasibility of deployment of the new design, symptoms relief, early stent migration, early complication, GERD Q score, and (QOL)assessment.

    RESULTS: The ART stent was inserted successfully in all cases (17/17, 100%). There were two stent migrations due to the flexibility of the stent at the neck. There were no early or post-stenting one-month complications associated with the procedure. A good flow of contrast was seen in all the stents deployed. GERD Q score was low in all patients pre and post-stenting. Post-stenting there was a relief of dysphagia, weight gain, and a 60% improvement in QOL score.

    CONCLUSIONS: ART stent is feasible and technically successful in COJ tumours. It provides good symptom relief, improves the QOL, and has minimal early complications.

    FUNDING: None declared.

    Matched MeSH terms: Palliative Care/methods
  8. Seng Beng T, Ting Ting T, Karupiah M, Xin Ni C, Li Li H, Chong Guan N, et al.
    Omega (Westport), 2021 Dec;84(2):512-524.
    PMID: 32019387 DOI: 10.1177/0030222820903221
    Suffering experiences are common phenomena in palliative care. In this study, we aim to explore the different patterns of suffering in palliative care. Adult palliative care patients were recruited from the University of Malaya Medical Centre. Suffering scores were charted 3 times a day for a week. The characteristics of the suffering charts were analyzed using SPSS. The patterns of suffering were analyzed using structural pattern recognition. A total of 53 patients participated. The overall trends of suffering were downward (64%), upward (19%), and stable (17%). Median minimum and maximum suffering scores were 2/10 and 6/10, with an average of 3.6/10. Nine patterns of suffering were recognized from categorizing two key characteristics of suffering (intensity and fluctuation)-named S1 to S9. Understanding the different patterns of suffering may lead to better suffering management.
    Matched MeSH terms: Palliative Care*
  9. Look ML, Tan SB, Hong LL, Ng CG, Yee HA, Lim LY, et al.
    BMJ Support Palliat Care, 2021 Dec;11(4):433-439.
    PMID: 32788274 DOI: 10.1136/bmjspcare-2020-002382
    CONTEXT: There has been increasing evidence of the role of mindfulness-based interventions in improving various health conditions. However, the evidence for the use of mindfulness in the palliative care setting is still lacking.

    OBJECTIVES: The objective of our study was to determine the efficacy of a single session of 20 min mindful breathing in alleviating multiple symptoms in palliative care.

    METHODS: Adult palliative care in patients with at least one symptom scoring ≥5/10 based on the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) were recruited from September 2018 to December 2018. Recruited patients were randomly assigned to either 20 min mindful breathing and standard care or standard care alone.

    RESULTS: Forty patients were randomly assigned to standard care plus a 20 min mindful breathing session (n=20) or standard care alone (n=20). There was statistically significant reduction of total ESAS score in the mindful breathing group compared with the control group at minute 20 (U=98, n 1 = n 2 = 20, mean rank 1 = 15.4, mean rank 2 = 25.6, median reduction 1 = 6.5, median reduction 2 = 1.5, z=-2.763, r=0.3, p=0.005).

    CONCLUSION: Our results provided evidence that a single session of 20 min mindful breathing was effective in reducing multiple symptoms rapidly for palliative care patients.

    Matched MeSH terms: Palliative Care; Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing*
  10. Lim MA, Ang BT, Lam CL, Loh EC, Zainuddin SI, Capelle DP, et al.
    Eur J Cancer Care (Engl), 2021 Sep;30(5):e13456.
    PMID: 33913192 DOI: 10.1111/ecc.13456
    OBJECTIVE: Suffering is a common experience in palliative care. In our study, we aimed to determine the effect of 5-min mindfulness of love on suffering and the spiritual quality of life of palliative care patients.

    METHODS: We conducted a parallel-group, blinded, randomized controlled study at the University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Malaysia from February 2019 to April 2019. Sixty adult palliative care patients with an overall suffering score of 4/10 or above based on the Suffering Pictogram were recruited and randomly assigned to either the 5-min mindfulness of love group (N = 30) or the 5-min supportive listening group (N = 30).

    RESULTS: There were statistically significant improvements in the overall suffering score (mean difference = -2.9, CI = -3.7 to -2.1, t = -7.268, p = 0.000) and the total FACIT-Sp-12 score (mean difference = 2.9, CI = 1.5 to 4.3, t = 4.124, p = 0.000) in the intervention group compared to the control group.

    CONCLUSION: The results provided evidence that 5-min mindfulness of love could affect the actual state of suffering and the spiritual quality of life of palliative care patients.

    Matched MeSH terms: Palliative Care; Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing*
  11. Lin CP, Boufkhed S, Kizawa Y, Mori M, Hamzah E, Aggarwal G, et al.
    Am J Hosp Palliat Care, 2021 Jul;38(7):861-868.
    PMID: 33789503 DOI: 10.1177/10499091211002797
    BACKGROUND: Hospice and palliative care services provision for COVID-19 patients is crucial to improve their life quality. There is limited evidence on COVID-19 preparedness of such services in the Asia-Pacific region.

    AIM: To evaluate the preparedness and capacity of hospice and palliative care services in the Asia-Pacific region to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    METHOD: An online cross-sectional survey was developed based on methodology guidance. Asia-Pacific Hospice and Palliative Care Network subscribers (n = 1551) and organizational members (n = 185) were emailed. Descriptive analysis was undertaken.

    RESULTS: Ninety-seven respondents completed the survey. Around half of services were hospital-based (n = 47, 48%), and public-funded (n = 46, 47%). Half of services reported to have confirmed cases (n = 47, 49%) and the majority of the confirmed cases were patients (n = 28, 61%). Staff perceived moderate risk of being infected by COVID-19 (median: 7/10). > 85% of respondents reported they had up-to-date contact list for staff and patients, one-third revealed challenges to keep record of relatives who visited the services (n = 30, 31%), and of patients visited in communities (n = 29, 30%). Majority of services (60%) obtained adequate resources for infection control except face mask. More than half had no guidance on Do Not Resuscitate orders (n = 59, 66%) or on bereavement care for family members (n = 44, 51%).

    CONCLUSION: Recommendations to strengthen the preparedness of palliative care services include: 1) improving the access to face mask; 2) acquiring stress management protocols for staff when unavailable; 3) reinforcing the contact tracing system for relatives and visits in the community and 4) developing guidance on patient and family care during patient's dying trajectory.

    Matched MeSH terms: Palliative Care*
  12. Chaudhuri KR, Rukavina K, McConvey V, Antonini A, Lorenzl S, Bhidayasiri R, et al.
    Expert Rev Neurother, 2021 06;21(6):615-623.
    PMID: 33905283 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2021.1923480
    Introduction: Although in some countries, palliative care (PC) still remains poorly implemented, its importance throughout the course of Parkinson's disease (PD) is increasingly being acknowledged. With an emergence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, growing emphasis has been placed on the palliative needs of people with Parkinson's (PwP), particularly elderly, frail, and with comorbidities.Areas covered: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic poses an enormous challenge on aspects of daily living in PwP and might interact negatively with a range of motor and non-motor symptoms (NMS), both directly and indirectly - as a consequence of pandemic-related social and health care restrictions. Here, the authors outline some of the motor and NMS relevant to PC, and propose a pragmatic and rapidly deployable, consensus-based PC approach for PwP during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, potentially relevant also for future pandemics.Expert opinion: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic poses a considerable impact on PwP and their caregivers, ranging from mental health issues to worsening of physical symptoms - both in the short- and long-term, (Long-COVID) and calls for specific, personalized PC strategies relevant in a lockdown setting globally. Validated assessment tools should be applied remotely to flag up particular motor or NMS that require special attention, both in short- and long-term.
    Matched MeSH terms: Palliative Care*
  13. Krakauer EL, Kwete X, Kane K, Afshan G, Bazzett-Matabele L, Bien-Aimé DDR, et al.
    JCO Glob Oncol, 2021 06;7:862-872.
    PMID: 34115522 DOI: 10.1200/GO.21.00025
    PURPOSE: To enable design of optimum palliative care for women with cervical cancer, we studied the most common types of suffering and their severity, prevalence, and duration.

    METHODS: We first reviewed the literature on the major types, severity, prevalence, and duration of suffering associated with cervical cancer. We then conducted a modified Delphi process with experts in cervical cancer care to supplement the literature. For each type of suffering, we distinguished between decedents (those who die from cervical cancer in a given year) and nondecedents (those who have cervical cancer in a given year but do not die). By applying the suffering prevalence and duration estimates to the number of decedents, nondecedents, and family caregivers in 2017, we were able to estimate their palliative care needs and the intensity of palliative care needed to respond adequately to this suffering.

    RESULTS: There is a high prevalence among decedents of moderate or severe pain (84%), vaginal discharge (66%), vaginal bleeding (61%), and loss of faith (31%). Among both decedents and nondecedents, there is a high prevalence of clinically significant anxiety (63% and 50%, respectively), depressed mood (52% and 38%, respectively), and sexual dysfunction (87% and 83%, respectively). Moderate or severe financial distress is prevalent among decedents, nondecedents, and family caregivers (84%, 74%, and 66%, respectively). More than 40% of decedents and nondecedents are abandoned by their intimate partners. Most patients experience some combination of moderate or severe physical, psychological, social, and spiritual suffering. In total, 258,649 decedents and 2,558,857 nondecedents needed palliative care in 2017, approximately 85% of whom were in low- and middle-income countries where palliative care is rarely accessible.

    CONCLUSION: Among women with advanced cervical cancer, suffering is highly prevalent and often severe and multifaceted.

    Matched MeSH terms: Palliative Care; Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing*
  14. Krakauer EL, Kane K, Kwete X, Afshan G, Bazzett-Matabele L, Ruthnie Bien-Aimé DD, et al.
    JCO Glob Oncol, 2021 06;7:886-895.
    PMID: 34115537 DOI: 10.1200/GO.21.00027
    The essential package of palliative care for cervical cancer (EPPCCC), described elsewhere, is designed to be safe and effective for preventing and relieving most suffering associated with cervical cancer and universally accessible. However, it appears that women with cervical cancer, more frequently than patients with other cancers, experience various types of suffering that are refractory to basic palliative care such as what can be provided with the EPPCCC. In particular, relief of refractory pain, vomiting because of bowel obstruction, bleeding, and psychosocial suffering may require additional expertise, medicines, or equipment. Therefore, we convened a group of experienced experts in all aspects of care for women with cervical cancer, and from countries of all income levels, to create an augmented package of palliative care for cervical cancer with which even suffering refractory to the EPPCCC often can be relieved. The package consists of medicines, radiotherapy, surgical procedures, and psycho-oncologic therapies that require advanced or specialized training. Each item in this package should be made accessible whenever the necessary resources and expertise are available.
    Matched MeSH terms: Palliative Care; Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing*
  15. Krakauer EL, Kane K, Kwete X, Afshan G, Bazzett-Matabele L, Ruthnie Bien-Aimé DD, et al.
    JCO Glob Oncol, 2021 Jun;7:873-885.
    PMID: 34115527 DOI: 10.1200/GO.21.00026
    Women with cervical cancer, especially those with advanced disease, appear to experience suffering that is more prevalent, complex, and severe than that caused by other cancers and serious illnesses, and approximately 85% live in low- and middle-income countries where palliative care is rarely accessible. To respond to the highly prevalent and extreme suffering in this vulnerable population, we convened a group of experienced experts in all aspects of care for women with cervical cancer, and from countries of all income levels, to create an essential package of palliative care for cervical cancer (EPPCCC). The EPPCCC consists of a set of interventions, medicines, simple equipment, social supports, and human resources, and is designed to be safe and effective for preventing and relieving all types of suffering associated with cervical cancer. It includes only inexpensive and readily available medicines and equipment, and its use requires only basic training. Thus, the EPPCCC can and should be made accessible everywhere, including for the rural poor. We provide guidance for integrating the EPPCCC into gynecologic and oncologic care at all levels of health care systems, and into primary care, in countries of all income levels.
    Matched MeSH terms: Palliative Care; Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing*
  16. Chew C, Wan Hitam WH, Ahmad Tajudin LS
    Cureus, 2021 Mar 31;13(3):e14200.
    PMID: 33936906 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.14200
    Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LC) and optic nerve metastasis are uncommon occurrences in breast cancer. We report a rare case of LC with optic nerve infiltration secondary to breast cancer. A 45-year-old lady who was a known case of treated right breast carcinoma six years ago presented with a blurring of vision in both eyes, floaters, and diplopia for one month. She also had recurrent attacks of seizure-like episodes, headache, and vomiting. Examination revealed high blood pressure with tachycardia. Her right eye visual acuity was counting fingers at two feet and 6/36 in the left eye. She had right abducens nerve palsy. Fundoscopy showed bilateral optic disc swelling with pre-retinal, flame-shaped haemorrhages and macular oedema. CT scan of brain and orbit was normal. She was admitted for further investigations. While in the ward, her vision deteriorated further. Her visual acuity in both eyes was at the level of no perception to light. She also developed bilateral abducens nerve palsy and right facial nerve palsy. Subsequently, she started having bilateral hearing loss. There were few episodes of fluctuations in conscious awareness. MRI brain showed mild hydrocephalus. Both optic nerves were thickened and enhanced on T1-weighted and post-gadolinium. Lumbar puncture was performed. There was high opening pressure. Cerebrospinal fluid cytology showed the presence of malignant cells. Family members opted for palliative care in view of poor prognosis. Unfortunately, she succumbed after a month's stay in hospital. Diagnosis of LC and optic nerve infiltration presents a formidable challenge to clinicians especially in the early stages where neuroimaging appears normal and lumbar puncture has high false negatives. Multiple high-volume taps are advised if clinical suspicion of LC is high.
    Matched MeSH terms: Palliative Care
  17. Beng TS, Ghee WK, Hui NY, Yin OC, Kelvin KWS, Yiling ST, et al.
    Palliat Support Care, 2021 Mar 15.
    PMID: 33715663 DOI: 10.1017/S1478951521000262
    OBJECTIVE: Dying is mostly seen as a dreadful event, never a happy experience. Yet, as palliative care physicians, we have seen so many patients who remained happy despite facing death. Hence, we conducted this qualitative study to explore happiness in palliative care patients at the University of Malaya Medical Centre.

    METHOD: Twenty terminally ill patients were interviewed with semi-structured questions. The results were thematically analyzed.

    RESULTS: Eight themes were generated: the meaning of happiness, connections, mindset, pleasure, health, faith, wealth, and work. Our results showed that happiness is possible at the end of life. Happiness can coexist with pain and suffering. Social connections were the most important element of happiness at the end of life. Wealth and work were given the least emphasis. From the descriptions of our patients, we recognized a tendency for the degree of importance to shift from the hedonic happiness to eudaimonic happiness as patients experienced a terminal illness.

    SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: To increase the happiness of palliative care patients, it is crucial to assess the meaning of happiness for each patient and the degree of importance for each happiness domain to allow targeted interventions.

    Matched MeSH terms: Palliative Care; Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing
  18. Lai CK, Tay KT, Abdullah R
    Med J Malaysia, 2021 03;76(2):233-235.
    PMID: 33742634
    In recognising the palliative care (PC) needs globally and in Malaysia, services were developed to serve the rural area of Kuala Lipis, Pahang. This communication describes the initial a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis, stages of development towards achieving a successful implementation. PC services were led by Kuala Lipis district hospital include inpatient referrals, outpatient and community care through home visits. These services involve multi-disciplinary team inclusive of representatives from health clinics and allied health. Referrals and opioid usage have demonstrated an increasing trend since its implementation in October 2018. Implementation of rural PC services is feasible; however, long-term sustainability needs to addressed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Palliative Care; Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing
  19. Guan NC, Beng TS, Sue-Yin L, Kanagasundram S
    Indian J Palliat Care, 2021 02 17;27(1):83-88.
    PMID: 34035622 DOI: 10.4103/IJPC.IJPC_122_20
    Context: While pain is a common complaint among palliative cancer patients, there is little research looking into nonpharmacological methods for the reduction of pain in the palliative setting.

    Aim: This study aims to study the efficacy of 5-min mindful breathing for rapid reduction of pain in a palliative care setting.

    Methods: This is a sub-analysis of the previous randomized controlled study on distress reduction. Sixty patients were recruited and randomly assigned to either the intervention (5-min mindful breathing) or the control (5-min normal listening) group. Participants reported their pain on a 10-item analog scale at baseline, immediately after intervention and 10 min postintervention. Changes in pain scores were further analyzed.

    Results: Pain scores decreased for both the intervention and control groups. However, the reduction of pain did not reach statistical difference in both groups (P > 0.05).

    Conclusion: Five-minute mindful breathing is a quick and easy to administer therapy but does not have significant effects in terms of pain reduction in palliative settings. Future research and directions are nonetheless suggested and encouraged to look for short-term mindfulness-based therapies on pain reduction for this population.

    Matched MeSH terms: Palliative Care; Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing
  20. Ahmad Zubaidi ZS, Ariffin F, Oun CTC, Katiman D
    BMC Palliat Care, 2020 Dec 08;19(1):186.
    PMID: 33292214 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-020-00691-1
    BACKGROUND: Informal caregivers (IC) are often overshadowed by the attention required by the terminally ill. This study aims to reveal the estimated proportion of caregiver burden, psychological manifestations and factors associated with caregiver burden among IC in the largest specialized Palliative Care Unit (PCU) in Malaysia.

    METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving IC attending a PCU. Caregiver burden and psychological manifestations were measured using previously translated and validated Zarit Burden Interview and DASS-21 questionnaires respectively. Two hundred forty-nine samples were selected for analysis.

    RESULT: The mean ZBI score was 23.33 ± 13.7. About half of the population 118(47.4%) was found to experienced caregiver burden whereby majority have mild to moderate burden 90(36.1%). The most common psychological manifestation among IC is anxiety 74(29.7%) followed by depression 51(20.4%) and stress 46(18.5%). Multiple logistic regression demonstrated that women who are IC to patients with non-malignancy were less likely to experience caregiver burden. IC who were highly educated and spent more than 14 h per day caregiving were at least twice likely to experience caregiver burden. Finally, those with symptoms of depression and anxiety were three times more likely to suffer from caregiver burden.

    CONCLUSION: Caregiver burden among IC to palliative patients is prevalent in this population. IC who are men, educated, caregiving for patients with malignancy, long hours of caregiving and have symptoms of depression and anxiety are at risk of developing caregiver burden. Targeted screening should be implemented and IC well-being should be given more emphasis in local policies.

    Matched MeSH terms: Palliative Care/methods*; Palliative Care/psychology; Palliative Care/standards
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