Characterizing the Role of U.S. Surgeons in the Provision of Palliative Care: A Systematic Review and Mixed-Methods Meta-Synthesis

Objective: Gather information about an important aspect of SARS-CoV-2 disease, regard to palliative care. Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 disease started by the ending of 2019 in Wuhan-China and given the lack of a specific treatment, the role of palliative care in SARS-CoV-2 infection has been drawn to the spotlight. Method: A systematic review was carried out between June and October of 2020. A total of 25 articles were totally reviewed. Results: The management of symptoms, is the main objective of palliative care in SARS-CoV-2. We find ourselves with the interrogant of when to start palliative care and with what medications and measures it is preferred to do so. Discussion: As SARS-CoV-2 currently does not have a curative treatment, palliative care is the centerpiece of its management. Conclusion: Palliative care should be considered as a protocol in any disease with no curative treatment at the moment, just like SARS-CoV-2.

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The role of pharmacy in the management of cardiometabolic risk, metabolic syndrome and related diseases in severe mental illness: a mixed-methods systematic literature review

Systematic Reviews ◽

10.1186/s13643-021-01586-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Dolly Sud ◽

Eileen Laughton ◽

Robyn McAskill ◽

Eleanor Bradley ◽

Ian Maidment

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Mixed Methods ◽

Severe Mental Illness ◽

Cardiometabolic Risk ◽

Implementation Strategies ◽

Face To Face ◽

Study Intervention

Abstract Background Individuals with severe mental illness, e.g. schizophrenia have up to a 20% shortened life expectancy compared to the general population. Cardiovascular disease, due to cardiometabolic risk and metabolic syndrome, accounts for most of this excess mortality. A scoping search revealed that there has not been a review of published studies on the role of pharmacy in relation to cardiometabolic risk, metabolic syndrome and related diseases (e.g. type 2 diabetes) in individuals with severe mental illness. Methods A mixed-methods systematic review was performed. Eleven databases were searched using a comprehensive search strategy to identify English-language studies where pharmacy was involved in an intervention for cardiometabolic risk, metabolic syndrome or related diseases in severe mental illness in any study setting from any country of origin. First, a mapping review was conducted. Then, implementation strategies used to implement the study intervention were classified using the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care Taxonomy. Impact of the study intervention on the process (e.g. rate of diagnosis of metabolic syndrome) and clinical (e.g. diabetic control) outcomes were analysed where possible (statistical tests of significance obtained for quantitative outcome parameters reported). Quality assessment was undertaken using a modified Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Results A total of 33 studies were identified. Studies were heterogeneous for all characteristics. A total of 20 studies reported quantitative outcome data that allowed for detailed analysis of the impact of the study intervention. The relationship between the total number of implementation strategies used and impact on outcomes measured is unclear. Inclusion of face-to-face interaction in implementation of interventions appears to be important in having a statistically significantly positive impact on measured outcomes even when used on its own. Few studies included pharmacy staff in community or general practitioner practices (n = 2), clinical outcomes, follow up of individuals after implementation of interventions (n = 3). No studies included synthesis of qualitative data. Conclusions Our findings indicate that implementation strategies involving face-to-face interaction of pharmacists with other members of the multidisciplinary team can improve process outcomes when used as the sole strategy. Further work is needed on clinical outcomes (e.g. cardiovascular risk reduction), role of community pharmacy and qualitative studies. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42018086411

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Exploring Self-Compassion in Older Adults: a systematic review

Contextos Clínicos ◽

10.4013/ctc.2021.141.15 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Allana Almeida Moraes ◽

Carolina Villanova Quiroga ◽

Luisa Raquel Bridi Dacroce ◽

Irani Iracema de Lima Argimon

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Older Adults ◽

Mixed Methods ◽

Methodological Quality ◽

Longitudinal Research ◽

Mental Health Intervention ◽

Age Group ◽

Self Compassion

The present study sought to synthesize available evidence on the role of self-compassion in elders aged 60 or above and its potential implications during the process of aging. A systematic review was conducted in order to search for empirical scientific articles with quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods with a focus on self-compassion in samples with elders aged 60 years or more. Searches were carried out in the Psycinfo, Scopus, Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane databases, without limit of time. After the application of including and excluding criteria, 11 articles were considered eligible for this review, with all presenting good methodological quality. Self-compassion was found to be a promising skill that can promote healthy psychosocial aging, enabling a better adjustment to changes associated with aging. Such results contribute to the development of new mental health intervention protocols, especially in the field of psychogerontology. There is a need for more longitudinal research and investment in the development of specific interventions for this age group.

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Perceived factors to providing palliative care for patients with cancer - a qualitative systematic review

Oncology Reviews ◽

10.4081/oncol.2020.463 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Haydeh Heidari ◽

Marjan Mardani-Hamooleh ◽

Masoud Amiri

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Palliative Care ◽

Web Of Science ◽

Organizational Factors ◽

Patients With Cancer ◽

Qualitative Systematic Review ◽

Patient’S Experience ◽

Synthesis Approach ◽

Qualitative Literature

Palliative care (PC) is one of the necessary cares given throughout a patient’s experience with cancer. The aim of this study was to identify the perceived factors to providing PC for patients with cancer. Our study was a systematic review of qualitative literature. To this end, electronic databases, including CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO, Ovid, and Web of Science as well as Persian databases were searched and qualitative studies on the role of PC in patients with cancer published between Jan 2008 and Dec 2017 were selected. Generally, 12 studies were reviewed. A thematic synthesis approach was used to analyze the data. Exploring the selected articles, the findings on the perceived factors to providing PC for patients with cancer were categorized into three themes, including organizational factors, ethical factors, and psychological factors. This qualitative systematic review expands our knowledge about factors influencing the provision of PC for patients with cancer. It is necessary for health system managers and caregivers to pay attention to all aforesaid factors in order to improve PC for cancer patients.

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What constitutes a palliative care need in people with serious illnesses across Africa? A mixed-methods systematic review of the concept and evidence

Palliative Medicine ◽

10.1177/02692163211008784 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 026921632110087

Author(s):

Oladayo A Afolabi ◽

Kennedy Nkhoma ◽

Matthew Maddocks ◽

Richard Harding

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Palliative Care ◽

Mixed Methods ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Health Coverage ◽

Care Needs ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Care Assessment ◽

Context Specific ◽

Palliative Care Needs

Background: Clarity on what constitutes a palliative care need is essential to ensure that health systems and clinical services deliver an appropriate response within Universal Health Coverage. Aim: To synthesise primary evidence from Africa for palliative care needs among patients and families with serious illness. Design: We conducted a mixed methods systematic review with sequential synthesis design. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42019136606) and included studies were quality assessed using Mixed Method Appraisal Tool. Data sources: Six global literature databases and Three Africa-specific databases were searched up to October 2020 for terms related to palliative care, serious illnesses and Africa. Palliative care need was defined as multidimensional problems, symptoms, distress and concerns which can benefit from palliative care. Results: Of 7810 papers screened, 159 papers met eligibility criteria. Palliative care needs were mostly described amongst patients with HIV/AIDS ( n = 99 studies) or cancer ( n = 59), from East ( n = 72) and Southern ( n = 89) Africa. Context-specific palliative care needs included managing pregnancy and breastfeeding, preventing infection transmission (physical); health literacy needs, worry about medical bills (psychological); isolation and stigma, overwhelmed families needing a break, struggling to pay children’s school fees and selling assets (social and practical needs); and rites associated with cultural and religious beliefs (spiritual). Conclusions: Palliative care assessment and care must reflect the context-driven specific needs of patients and families in Africa, in line with the novel framework. Health literacy is a crucial need in this context that must be met to ensure that the benefits of palliative care can be achieved at the patient-level.

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A Systematic Review of the Role of Physiotherapy Interventions in Palliative Care

10.20944/preprints202004.0519.v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Lesley Phokontsi ◽

Larry L Mweetwa ◽

Larry Mweetwa ◽

Tumelo Tlhoiwe ◽

Christine K Muya ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Palliative Care ◽

Geographical Location ◽

Breathing Exercises ◽

Critical Appraisal Tool ◽

Ebsco Host ◽

Study Type ◽

Appraisal Tool ◽

Selection Of

Abstract The aim of this research is to conduct a systematic review analysing the role of the physiotherapy interventions in palliative care. PRISMA as a critical appraisal tool was utilised for the selection of the research articles. The inclusion criteria were based on the year of publication, ease of availability, language, geographical location, and study type. To ensure the credibility, databases such as Elsevier, Proquest, and EBSCO Host were used to filter the grey content. Data published in the past ten years (2009-onwards) was only included to ensure the selection of the most recent interventions used by the physiotherapists. A total of 11 articles were selected which determined that physiotherapy interventions involving breathing exercises, aerobic exercises, manual therapies, and educational awareness were critical to promoting the functional capability and empower the patients.

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