Specialty Trainees’ Understanding of End-of-Life Care Symptom Management and End-of-Life Care Pathway: A Quantitative and Qualitative Pilot Study
Journal Title: Journal of Geriatrics and Palliative Care - Year 2014, Vol 2, Issue 1
Abstract
Introduction: Lack of knowledge of end-of-life care pathway (EOLCP) and misconceptions about opioid use are detrimental toproviding quality care to patients with life-limiting diseases. This study aims to use the mixed-method to assess the level of specialty trainees’ perceptions regarding EOLCP and symptom management in the Australian context. Methods: A total of 31 accredited college trainees in surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, emergency medicine, anaesthesia as well as physician trainees who had been rotated to palliative care were recruited for the questionnaire. A total of 12 subjects were recruited for the individual interview. Results and Discussion: Both quantitative and qualitative data suggested that participants showed a basic understanding of EOLCP and symptom control. Most participants were generally comfortable with opioid use. They were able to recognize the priorities of end-oflife care and common opioid-related side effects. However, additional education on probability of serious side effects related to opioids, opioid rotation, opioid dosage calculation and prophylactic medications, were suggested. Large-scale studies should be conducted to explore the adequacy of end-of-life care education within specific specialty, other potential factors on practice of EOLCP and opioid use, as well as more effective education strategies in the Australian context.
Authors and Affiliations
Danforn Lim
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP203929
- DOI 10.13188/2373-1133.1000004
- Views 109
- Downloads 0
Is High Body Mass Index in Elderly Harmless?
A series of studies has defended higher body mass index (BMI) of the elderly as preventive, but the obesity may play an important role in the development of other diseases, such as, fasting hyperglycemia that may progres...
Prescribing Antidepressants in Depressed Nursing Homes Residents with Dementia: Is it Evidence-based?
Depression and dementia are common comorbidities among Nursing Home (NH) residents. Antidepressants are widely used in this vulnerable population. However, the evidence for anti-depressant use, including from randomized...
Skin Angiosarcoma Masquerading as Hematoma in an Elderly Woman
A 78 year old Caucasian, bed-bound, nursing home female,presented with non-tender, violaceous, indurated plaques of the skin of her anterior left thigh. Patient’s past medical history was significant for coronary artery...
Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms and Caregiver Burden in Mexican Alzheimer’s Disease Patients
Background: Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60-70% of dementias. An estimated 44 million people worldwide are living with dementia. Caregiver burden is a multidimensional response with physical, emotional, social and fi...
Alcohol Related CognitiveImpairments: an Overview for Clinical Practitioners
The harmful effects of chronic alcohol use have become increasingly evident in recent years. Studies have linked chronic alcohol use to an array of pathology affecting all organ systems, especially the central nervous sy...