5. The theological virtues

This chapter focuses on the theological virtues as initially presented in the Jewish tradition and then developed and augmented by later Christian thinkers. There is a hierarchical relationship among the theological virtues. Faith involves trust-based intellectual assent to revealed theological truths. Like faith, hope requires a trust in God and is the patient expectation—or habit—of waiting for the promised but ‘not-yet’ good that faith points to. But the fullness of the theological virtues is found in charity. In this virtue, a person is united with God and with others in a kind of ‘divine friendship’ that surpasses the boundaries of family, ethnicity, gender, and status.

Development of a tool to measure patient expectations with complete removable dentures

INTRODUCTION: Patients' expectations of complete removable dentures may play a role in determining their level of satisfaction with newly constructed complete removable dentures. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To develop a Patient Expectation Questionnaire using a validated satisfaction questionnaire as framework and subsequently determine patients' expectations of complete removable dentures. OBJECTIVES: 1. To formulate a patient expectations questionnaire using a validated satisfaction questionnaire framework-that will assesses their perceptions of new dentures 2. To determine patient expectations related to masticatory functional, pain, psychological discomfort and social disability with complete removable dentures. METHODOLOGY: All the aspects of the newly formed Patient Expectation Questionnaire (PEQ) was formulated following the framework of the OHIP-20 patient satisfaction tool. The expectation questionnaire was administered to patients at their first dental visit with the information sheet and informed consent form. RESULTS: A series of statistical tests was done to assess the validity and reliability of the Patient Expectation Questionnaire. These tests concluded that the newly formulated questionnaire was reliable. CONCLUSION: Patient expectations can be determined prior to treatment thereby allowing the clinician to manage these expectations and strive to meet the attainable ones during the construction of the complete removable denture. Amongst others masticatory efficiency and pain were identified as being high on the request list for new complete removable dentures.

Deprescribing in end-of-life care

The aim of deprescribing in end-of-life care is to improve the patient's quality of life by reducing their drug burden. It is essential to engage the patients and enable them to make choices about medications by discussing their preferences and implement a pharmacy management plan. Withdrawing medications during the end stages of life is extremely complex because the period of care varies substantially. The aim of this article is to address polypharmacy within end-of-life care. It will review which medications should be stopped by examining the non-essential and essential drugs. The intention is to encourage an approach to care which provides an equal balance between treatment and patient expectation.