Oxford Textbook of Palliative Nursing

The Oxford Textbook of Palliative Nursing is a comprehensive textbook on the art and science of palliative care nursing. Including new chapters on advance care planning, organ donation, self-care, global palliative care, and the ethos of palliative nursing, each chapter is rich with tables and figures, case examples for improved learning, and a strong evidence-based practice to support the highest quality of care. The book offers a valuable and practical resource for students and clinicians across all settings of care. Developed with the intention of emphasizing the need to extend palliative care beyond the specialty to be integrated in all settings and by all clinicians caring for the seriously ill, this new edition will continue to serve as the cornerstone of palliative care education. The content is relevant for specialty hospice agencies and palliative care programs, as well as generalist knowledge for schools of nursing, oncology, critical care, and pediatric.

Author(s):  
Pam Malloy ◽  
Andra Davis

Educating nursing students, clinicians, faculty, and researchers in palliative care is needed tremendously in this era of an aging population and the development of new technological ways of extending the lives of those with complex illness and/or injury. With new evidence-based resources being developed to enhance education, including guidelines, competencies, videos, standards, and procedures, educators have a plethora of materials to promote and disseminate palliative care education. Nurses, who represent the largest healthcare profession in the nation, can only practice and teach what they know. Because nurses spend more time at the bedside and out in the community consulting and providing care to those who are seriously ill and to their families, it is vital they be educated to provide competent and compassionate care to those who are most vulnerable.


Aquichan ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Clare Butt

During this COVID-19 global pandemic, seriously ill patients rely on nurses more than ever. Providing care in the altered environment of the pandemic can be stressful for nurses and the interdisciplinary team. Faced with limited time and resources, restricted visiting of family members and loved ones, and the changing science affecting treatments, nurses are extraordinarily challenged. Fortunately, nurses can benefit from integrating palliative care nursing skills into all levels of care. Because palliative care is holistic, improves the quality of life, and focuses on both the patient and the family, it can assist nurses—from acute care to home care settings—in managing symptoms, communicating with empathy, and discussing care decisions. Importantly, despite the enormous stress of these uncertain times, nurses can take the time to care for themselves and thereby find the strength to continue caring for patients.


2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey Mitchell ◽  
Caroline Nicholson ◽  
Keith McDonald ◽  
Anne Bucetti

The delivery of palliative care in residential aged care communities is challenging, even more so in rural areas due to workforce ageing and shortages. The objectives of the present study were to: (i) assess the needs of, and quality of palliative care delivered to residents of 16 residential aged care facilities in rural southern Australia; and (ii) identify the needs of care staff to facilitate the delivery of quality palliative care. A cross-sectional survey of all residents, assessing the degree of functional limitation, stage of palliative care, and the presence of several quality indicators was conducted. Separate focus groups of care staff and relatives of residents sought information on the quality of care delivered, perceived strengths and weaknesses of the care delivered, and education and training needs. Quality palliative care in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) is hampered by workforce shortages, with low ratios of registered nurses, limited access to general practitioners after hours, and some communication difficulties. Some staff reported low confidence in technical and psychosocial aspects of care, especially for relatives. Relatives described mostly appropriate care, while acknowledging workload constraints. Most residents whose condition was unstable, deteriorating or terminal received advance care planning, though family expectations and unwillingness to discuss end-of-life care did tend to delay planning. Unstable residents with a reasonable prognosis were more likely to be transferred to hospital than terminally ill residents. Palliative care in participating RACFs appears to be adequate. Provision of targeted education for health care providers and implementation of protocols for advance care planning and end-of life care pathways will enhance this care.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 788-788
Author(s):  
Daniel David ◽  
Abraham Brody ◽  
Tina Sadarangani ◽  
Bei Wu ◽  
Tara Cortez

Abstract Many residents of Assisted Living (AL) confront serious illness and therefore might benefit from greater access to Palliative Care Services to improve quality of life. We surveyed resident records and AL nursing staff to identify patients in need of Palliative Care. Preliminary findings showed that nurses predicted 23% would not be alive and 49% would no longer live in AL. A majority of residents were over the age of 90, yet 30% did not have a reported code status. These findings suggest that a substantial portion of AL residents may have unmet needs with respect to palliative care. Future interventions are needed to support advance care planning conversations and make palliative care more accessible to this population.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 336-345
Author(s):  
Ike Wuri Winahyu Sari ◽  
Rizqi Wahyu Hidayati

Background: While previous studies showed that oncology nurses were highly inclined to promote advance care planning (ACP), there is a limited study focusing on ACP that concerns the willingness to promote ACP among palliative nurses in Indonesia. This issue needs to be investigated to determine the causative factors so that interventions for nurses can be arranged to improve ACP in Indonesia.Purpose: This study aimed to identify predictors of the willingness to promote ACP among nurses in palliative care settings.Methods: This study used a descriptive-analytical design with a cross-sectional approach. A total of 150 registered nurses with at least one year of experience were purposively recruited. Data were collected using the Indonesian version of the willingness to promote ACP instrument (I-WPACP) with a possible score range of 24 to 120; the higher the score, the higher the willingness to promote ACP. The descriptive statistic, independent t-test, Pearson correlation test, Spearman rank correlation test, and multiple linear regression test were used to analyze the data.Results: The willingness to promote ACP showed a mean score of 84.73±9.36. The score indicates a high willingness to promote ACP. The experience of receiving palliative care education became a related factor as well as the most closely related factor to the willingness to promote ACP in the palliative care settings (β=0.184; p=0.028).Conclusion: The willingness to promote ACP among nurses is high and closely related to their experience of receiving education about palliative care. Education about palliative care and training on ACP needs to be developed so that nurses can discuss ACP with patients and family caregivers.


2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 284-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Hill ◽  
Marie Y. Savundranayagam ◽  
Aleksandra Zecevic ◽  
Marita Kloseck

Dementia is a syndrome that is progressive, degenerative, and terminal. The palliative care philosophy aims to maximize quality of life for the dying individual and is both beneficial for and underused with persons dying with dementia. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the experiences of long-term care staff delivering palliative care to individuals with dementia to determine how care was delivered, to learn which guidelines were used, and whether policies affected the delivery of palliative care. Methods: Twenty-two staff participants were interviewed. Their experiences were interpreted using phenomenological methodology. Results: Findings yielded 3 key themes: confusion, resource shortages, and communication difficulties. Conclusion: Implications for practice include clarification of terminology surrounding palliative care, education of families about dementia and palliative care, better resource management, and the need to address when palliative care best fits within the dementia process.


2021 ◽  
pp. 206-212
Author(s):  
Maria Denise Pessoa Silva ◽  
Fiona Rolls ◽  
Lynne White ◽  
Tamsin Longley ◽  
Jane Murphy ◽  
...  

Occupational therapy in palliative care aims to help patients achieve their optimum independence for as long as possible in activities that are important to them. There is a wide range of difficulties and symptoms experienced by palliative patients with which occupational therapy can intervene, which may include physical disabilities and functional impairments, extreme fatigue, anxiety, shortness of breath, and cognitive deficits. This chapter describes the broad range of areas in which the occupational therapist works in palliative care together with the multidisciplinary team. They take a key role in assessing and treating functional difficulties, organizing and facilitating safe discharge and care at home, with the aim of achieving best quality of life and avoiding admission to hospital whenever possible. The occupational therapist analyses and assesses specific problems and provides a treatment programme or solution to help the patient remain as independent as possible, using clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice.


Author(s):  
Betty Rolling Ferrell

This chapter serves as an introduction to the 5th edition of the Oxford Textbook of Palliative Care, designed to be an evidence-based resource for nurses to assist with the real challenges they face at the patient’s bedside. At a time when our population is aging, the healthcare payment system is uncertain, healthcare costs are escalating, and more people are faced with chronic illnesses, there is a pressing need to extend palliative care into an increasing range of settings. It is the intent of the authors and the editors to provide concise and practical information to assist nurses as they address the palliative care needs of the seriously ill and the dying and their families.


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