Identifying Perceptions of Health Professionals Regarding Deathbed Visions and Spiritual Care in End-of-Life Care

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-184
Author(s):  
Sung Ok Chang ◽  
Soo Yeon Ahn ◽  
Myung-Ok Cho ◽  
Kyung Sook Choi ◽  
Eun Suk Kong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
End Of Life ◽  
Spiritual Care ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Life Care ◽  
Deathbed Visions

scholarly journals Before the 2020 Pandemic: an observational study exploring public knowledge, attitudes, plans, and preferences towards death and end of life care in Wales

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ishrat Islam ◽  
Annmarie Nelson ◽  
Mirella Longo ◽  
Anthony Byrne
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Death And Dying ◽  
Service Utilisation ◽  
Life Care ◽  
Manner Of Death ◽  
Attitudes Towards Death

Abstract Background Understanding public attitudes towards death and dying is important to inform public policies around End of Life Care (EoLC). We studied the public attitudes towards death and dying in Wales. Methods An online survey was conducted in 2018. Social media and the HealthWiseWales platform were used to recruit participants. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results 2,210 people participated. Loss of independence (84%), manner of death, and leaving their beloved behind were the biggest fears around death and dying. In terms of EoLC, participants sought timely access to care (84%) and being surrounded by loved ones (62%). Being at home was less of a priority (24%). Only 50% were familiar with Advance Care Planning (ACP). A lack of standard procedures as well as of support for the execution of plans and the ability to revisit those plans hindered uptake. The taboo around death conversations, the lack of opportunities and skills to initiate discussion, and personal fear and discomfort inhibited talking about death and dying. 72% felt that we do not talk enough about death and dying and advocated normalising talking by demystifying death with a positive approach. Health professionals could initiate and support this conversation, but this depended on communication skills and manageable workload pressure. Participants encouraged a public health approach and endorsed the use of: a) social media and other public platforms, b) formal education, c) formal and legal actions, and d) signposting and access to information. Conclusions People are ready to talk about death and dying and COVID-19 has increased awareness. A combination of top-down and bottom-up initiatives across levels and settings can increase awareness, knowledge, and service-utilisation-drivers to support health professionals and people towards shared decisions which align with people’s end of life wishes and preferences.

scholarly journals Spiritual care provided by nursing home physicians: a nationwide survey

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. e42-e42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-José H E Gijsberts ◽  
Jenny T van der Steen ◽  
Cees M P M Hertogh ◽  
Luc Deliens
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Nursing Home ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Spiritual Care ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Elderly Care ◽  
Life Care ◽  
Additional Training ◽  
Broad Concept

ObjectiveTo examine perceptions and experiences regarding providing spiritual care at the end of life of elderly care physicians practising in nursing homes in the Netherlands, and factors associated with spiritual care provision.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was sent to a representative sample of 642 elderly care physicians requesting information about their last patient who died and the spiritual care they provided. We compared their general perception of spiritual care with spiritual and other items abstracted from the literature and variables associated with the physicians’ provision of spiritual care. Self-reported reasons for providing spiritual care were analysed with qualitative content analysis.ResultsThe response rate was 47.2%. Almost half (48.4%) provided spiritual end-of-life care to the last resident they cared for. Half (51.8%) identified all 15 spiritual items, but 95.4% also included psychosocial items in their perception of spirituality and 49.1% included other items. Physicians who included more non-spiritual items reported more often that they provided spiritual care, as did more religious physicians and those with additional training in palliative care. Reasons for providing spiritual care included a request by the resident or the relatives, resident’s religiousness, fear of dying and involvement of a healthcare chaplain.ConclusionMost physicians perceived spirituality as a broad concept and this increased self-reported spiritual caregiving. Religious physicians and those trained in palliative care may experience fewer barriers to providing spiritual care. Additional training in reflecting upon the physician’s own perception of spirituality and training in multidisciplinary spiritual caregiving may contribute to the quality of end-of-life care for nursing home residents.

Palliative care for community patients diagnosed with dementia: a systematic review

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (12) ◽  
pp. 570-575
Author(s):  
Cathryn Smith ◽  
Gina Newbury
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Community Setting ◽  
Life Care ◽  
Staff Support ◽  
The Uk

Despite many efforts made by health organisations to deliver effective end-of-life care to patients with dementia, research indicates that palliative care is predominantly aimed at patients with terminal cancer, and that patients with dementia face challenges in accessing end-of-life care. This article explores the views of health professionals on providing palliative care to those patients diagnosed with dementia within the community setting. A systematic review of seven qualitative studies was performed to identify the best available evidence. The findings show that effective palliative care for patients with dementia continues being affected by many barriers and challenges. Good practice seems to be inconsistent and fragmented throughout the UK and European countries, and many health professionals are faced with difficulties associated with services and financial implications, training and education, staff support, communication, family support and dementia care.

Common dedication to facilitating good dying experiences: Qualitative study of end-of-life care professionals’ attitudes towards voluntary assisted dying

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 562-569 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah-May Blaschke ◽  
Penelope Schofield ◽  
Keryn Taylor ◽  
Anna Ugalde
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Sampling Strategy ◽  
Assisted Dying ◽  
Life Care ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Moral Philosophies

Background: Debate about appropriate and ethically acceptable end-of-life choices is ongoing, which includes discussion about the legalization of voluntary assisted dying. Given health professionals’ role in caring for patients at the end life, their stance towards assisting a person with dying can have implications for policy development and implementation in jurisdictions where law changes are being considered. Aim: To explore end-of-life care professionals’ attitudes towards voluntary assisted dying 6 months prior to vote on legalization. Design: Qualitative study using textual data collected through semi-structured interviews. Purposive sampling strategy used to collect a broad representation of perspectives. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and subjected to qualitative descriptive analysis techniques. Participants: A total of 16 health professionals with experience in caring for people with life-limiting illness. Results: Participants reported two overarching positions grounded in differing moral philosophies with compelling arguments both for and against legalization of voluntary assisted dying. A third and common line of argument emerged from areas of shared concern and uncertainty about the practical consequences of introducing voluntary assisted dying. While a diversity of opinion was evident, all participants advocated for more public education and funding into end-of-life care services to make high-quality care equitable and widely available. Conclusion: Common dedication to reducing suffering and facilitating good dying experiences exists among experts despite their divergent views on voluntary assisted dying. Ongoing engagement with stakeholders is needed for practical resolution in the interest of developing health policy for best patient care.

How is advance care planning conceptualised in Australia? Findings from key informant interviews

2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel J. Rhee ◽  
Nicholas A. Zwar
Keyword(s):  
End Of Life ◽  
Advance Care Planning ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Treatment Preferences ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Life Care ◽  
Advance Care

Objective. Advance Care Planning (ACP) has been gaining prominence as an important component of good end-of-life care. This study explored how ACP is conceptualised by stakeholder organisations and clinicians involved in aged care and end-of-life care in Australia, in particular their views on the aim, appropriate context and settings for ACP, and how ACP should be facilitated. Participants. Twenty-three participants including expert clinicians and representatives of government organisations, professional societies, consumer groups and other organisations involved in aged care and end-of-life care. Design. Qualitative descriptive analysis of semi-structured telephone interviews. Results. Most participants viewed ACP as an ongoing process aimed at enhancing an individual’s autonomy and ensuring good end-of-life care. However, there were significant differences in how this process was conceptualised. Some viewed ACP as a process undertaken by patients to define and communicate their treatment preferences. Others viewed ACP as discussions undertaken by health professionals to gain a better understanding of the patient’s values and goals in order to provide good care. Implications. Our findings highlight significant differences in how ACP is conceptualised in Australia. A shared conceptualisation and agreement on purpose is needed to ensure a successful implementation of ACP in Australia. What is known about the topic? Advance care planning (ACP) has been gaining increasing prominence both internationally and in Australia and is seen as an important component of good end-of-life care. Originally conceptualised as a document outlining a patient’s specific treatment preferences about life-sustaining treatments, ACP has been increasingly recognised in the literature as an ongoing process of discussion, communication and documentation of the patient’s wishes and values regarding end-of-life care. What does this paper add? This paper shows that most expert clinicians and representatives of key stakeholder organisations view ACP as a process that aims to enhance individual autonomy and ensure good end-of-life care. However, our findings show that they often hold contrasting views on ACP – ranging from a consumer-orientated view that sees ACP as undertaken to define and communicate their care preferences; to a care-orientated view that sees ACP as discussions led by health professionals in order to gain an understanding of patients’ values and wishes in order to provide better care. What are the implications for practitioners? Our findings highlight significant differences in how ACP is conceptualised in Australia. This can cause confusion and conflict, leading to reduced effectiveness of ACP. A shared conceptualisation and agreement on purpose is needed to ensure a successful implementation of ACP in Australia.

Crossing the River Styx: the power of music, spirituality and religion at the end of life

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 226
Author(s):  
Barbara Salas
Keyword(s):  
End Of Life ◽  
Spiritual Care ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Terminal Illness ◽  
Spiritual Experience ◽  
Life Care ◽  
Quest For Meaning ◽  
Spirituality And Religion ◽  
The Individual

Dying from a terminal illness involves a period of transition throughout which the person deals with multiple losses, including the loss of one’s own life. The awareness of death makes the individual confront spiritual questions that touch the very nature of existence, and music can help intensify that spiritual experience bringing new meaning to the end of life. The reasons why spirituality, religion and music can facilitate the existential quest for meaning and provide an overall improvement of the quality of life at the end of life will be explored, aiming to suggest that a humanist approach to end-of-life care in which alleviation of suffering and consideration of the specific needsof the patient including spiritual care and therapy with music would be desirable to help patients during the dying process.

End-of-life care perspectives of patients and health professionals in an Indian health-care setting

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (11) ◽  
pp. 557-564 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ranjitha Chacko ◽  
Jasmin Ruby Anand ◽  
Amala Rajan ◽  
Subhashini John ◽  
Vishalakshi Jeyaseelan
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Care Setting ◽  
Health Care Setting ◽  
Life Care ◽  
Indian Health

Prescribing in end-of-life care

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (6) ◽  
pp. 284-288
Author(s):  
Amanda Armstrong
Keyword(s):  
End Of Life ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Advanced Care Planning ◽  
Life Care ◽  
Limiting Condition

End-of-life care aims to support a person in the last stages of a life-limiting condition to live as well as possible until they die. Prescribing at the end-of-life presents many challenges. Advanced care planning can be carried out so that health professionals are aware and supportive of the patient's and their family's wishes. This article discusses the care and management of patients as they receive care at the end of their life as well as any anticipatory medication that may be needed.

Planning End-of-Life Care for Patients with Dementia: Roles of Families and Health Professionals

2001 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 273-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles E. Gessert ◽  
Sarah Forbes ◽  
Mercedes Bern-Klug
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Life Care ◽  
Dementia Patients ◽  
Advance Care ◽  
Surrogate Decision

We examined families' end-of-life decision making and their interactions with health professionals. Twenty-eight family members of institutionalized dementia patients participated in four focus groups. We found that participating family members were not well prepared for their decision-making roles, and that they: 1) experienced substantial burdens and loss in caring for institutionalized elders; 2) had limited understanding of the natural progression of dementing conditions; 3) were uncomfortable in setting goals for their relatives' end-of-life care; 4) had little experience with death, and were ambivalent about the anticipated death of their relative; and (5) reported that they had little substantive communication with health professionals regarding end-of-life care planning. We concluded that many of the needs of such families could be addressed through improved application of the principles of advance care planning, including regular structured discussions, involvement of surrogate decision-makers, and anticipation of clinical decisions. Health professionals should take the lead in ‘normalizing’ the discussion of death.

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