Palliative medicine reports最新文献

{"title":"Effectiveness of an Educational Workshop on Palliative Care Knowledge in Lebanese Nurses.","authors":"Myrna A A Doumit,&nbsp;May Naifeh Khoury,&nbsp;Mary Arevian,&nbsp;Ghina Al Khatib,&nbsp;Suha Fares","doi":"10.1089/pmr.2023.0026","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/pmr.2023.0026","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Lebanon is one of the world's smallest countries, with an area of 10,452 square kilometers. Life expectancy in Lebanon presently stands at about 76.6 years for men and 79.3 years for women. It is well known that with long life comes chronic disease, serious illness, and increased resource utilization. With a rapidly aging population and ever-increasing life expectancy, an increase in illnesses that affect the elderly is expected to follow, including non-communicable diseases and cancer. Nurses are the largest workforce in Lebanon and are thus in a prominent position to influence the quality of palliative care (PC) delivery throughout the course of illness.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of an educational workshop on PC knowledge, attitude, and skills for practicing nurses at a Lebanese university medical center.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>A mixed-method approach comprising a quasi-experimental and a qualitative process evaluation was followed to assess the nurses' knowledge, attitude, and skills about PC before and after the workshop and to evaluate the process itself. A convenience sample of 45 registered nurses working at the university medical center from multiple clinical units participated in the workshop that took place over one day in a referral medical center in Beirut. Inferential statistical analysis was used.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Data were analyzed using SPSS 25 for Windows. The paired <i>t</i> test showed a significant increase between the pre-and post-test scores <i>t</i> (39) = 11.07, <i>p</i> < 0.001 with a 95% confidence interval for the mean difference of (17.58-25.45). Thirty-eight participants (90.5%) did not pass the pre-test exam whereas only 12 participants (30.0%) did not pass the post-test exam.</p><p><strong>Recommendations: </strong>It is highly recommended to follow up with the participants of this workshop to determine the immediate and long-term outcomes of this educational workshop as well as offer workshops for a wider population of nurses in Lebanon and the region.</p>","PeriodicalId":74394,"journal":{"name":"Palliative medicine reports","volume":"4 1","pages":"300-307"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10616940/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71429878","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Case of Nerve Root Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation for Pain Due to Pleural Metastasis of Lung Cancer Leading to Improvement in the Patient's Quality of Life.","authors":"Yumi Tsuzuki,&nbsp;Takahisa Nishiyama,&nbsp;Yusuke Ishida,&nbsp;Ryoji Maeda,&nbsp;Mikiko Tomino,&nbsp;Kiyoshige Ohseto","doi":"10.1089/pmr.2023.0036","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/pmr.2023.0036","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Advances in medicine have made long-term survival of cancer patients possible. Hence, it is now necessary to consider how to approach common symptoms, such as cancer-related pain, in these patients. In this study, we describe a lung cancer patient in whom relief of intractable thoracic pain caused by pleural metastasis was achieved through thoracic radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RF), improving his quality of life (QOL). The patient was a man in his 70s with right upper lobe lung cancer, left 9th -11th rib metastasis, and left thoracic pain associated with parietal pleural metastasis. The patient experienced insomnia and weight loss due to poor appetite caused by opioid analgesics and inadequate pain control. Therefore, RF was performed as interventional treatment, resulting in a decrease in the numerical rating scale score from 10/10 to 2/10, and an improvement in QOL. In cases wherein long-term survival is expected, a long-term treatment plan for chronic cancer-related pain, which has a tendency to become persistent, becomes necessary. RF for the nerve roots might be a viable option for pain caused by pleural metastasis in cancer survivors.</p>","PeriodicalId":74394,"journal":{"name":"Palliative medicine reports","volume":"4 1","pages":"288-291"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10615080/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71429877","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Two Cases of Splanchnic Nerve Block With Epidural Anesthesia in Patients Unable to Maintain Prone Position Due to Pancreatic Pain.","authors":"Shunya Sekiguchi,&nbsp;Yusuke Ishida,&nbsp;Mikiko Tomino,&nbsp;Kiyoshige Ohseto","doi":"10.1089/pmr.2023.0031","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/pmr.2023.0031","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Splanchnic nerve block is considered to be effective for abdominal visceral pain, and is performed for the purpose of controlling abdominal pain and back pain caused by upper abdominal cancer. The patients in this case report were candidates for splanchnic nerve block owing to cancer-associated pain. However, because they could not assume the prone position that is required for the block owing to their pain, combined epidural anesthesia was used, resulting in successful implementation of the splanchnic nerve block. Patients who are candidates for splanchnic nerve block often have advanced cancer, and it is hence often difficult to secure and maintain the position required for the procedure owing to their severe pain. The two patients presented here suggest the possibility that epidural anesthesia might be useful as an adjunct in such cases.</p>","PeriodicalId":74394,"journal":{"name":"Palliative medicine reports","volume":"4 1","pages":"274-277"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10541929/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41165171","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clinical Features of Patients With Hematological Malignancies Treated at the Palliative Care Unit.","authors":"Hiromichi Yamane,&nbsp;Nobuaki Ochi,&nbsp;Ayaka Mimura,&nbsp;Yoko Kosaka,&nbsp;Naruhiko Ichiyama,&nbsp;Tatsuyuki Kawahara,&nbsp;Yasunari Nagasaki,&nbsp;Hidekazu Nakanishi,&nbsp;Nagio Takigawa","doi":"10.1089/pmr.2023.0028","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/pmr.2023.0028","url":null,"abstract":"Background: In Japan, the number of patients with aggressive hematological malignancies (PHMs) admitted at the palliative care unit (PCU) in their end-of-life (EOL) stage was fewer than that of patients with solid tumors due to several reasons. The assessment of patient characteristics and the methods of survival prediction among PHMs in the EOL stage are warranted. Objectives: This study aimed to identify the current medical status and the method of survival prediction among PHMs treated at the PCU. Setting/Subjects/Measurements: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 25 PHMs treated at our PCU between January 2017 and December 2020. The association between survival time and the palliative prognostic score (PAP) and palliative prognostic index (PPI) was analyzed. Results: The average age of the PHMs was higher than that of patients with lung cancer as a control. The median survival time of the PHMs was shorter than the control group. Most PHMs could not receive standard chemotherapy, and the most common cause of death was disease-related organ failure. Significant associations were observed between the survival time and each PAP/PPI value in patients with malignant lymphoma, but not in those with leukemia. Conclusion: The PHMs in the PCU had a lower median survival time than the control group. These results were induced by the result of patient selection to avoid treatment-related severe toxicity. The survival prediction using the PAP and PPI was less accurate in patients with leukemia.","PeriodicalId":74394,"journal":{"name":"Palliative medicine reports","volume":"4 1","pages":"278-287"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10541919/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41156260","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Examining the Role of Race in End-of-Life Care in the Intensive Care Unit: A Single-Center Observational Study.","authors":"Shahla Siddiqui,&nbsp;Diana Bouhassira,&nbsp;Lauren Kelly,&nbsp;Margaret Hayes,&nbsp;Austin Herbst,&nbsp;Sarah Ohnigian,&nbsp;Luke Hedrick,&nbsp;Kimberly Ona Ayala,&nbsp;Daniel S Talmor,&nbsp;Jennifer P Stevens","doi":"10.1089/pmr.2023.0037","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/pmr.2023.0037","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Prior studies have shown variation in the intensity of end-of-life care in intensive care units (ICUs) among patients of different races. Objective: We sought to identify variation in the levels of care at the end of life in the ICU and to assess for any association with race and ethnicity. Design: An observational, retrospective cohort study. Settings: A tertiary care center in Boston, MA. Participants: All critically ill patients admitted to medical and surgical ICUs between June 2019 and December 2020. Exposure: Self-identified race and ethnicity. Main Outcome and Measure: The primary outcome was death. Secondary outcomes included “code status,” markers of intensity of care, consultation by the Palliative care service, and consultation by the Ethics service. Results: A total of 9083 ICU patient encounters were analyzed. One thousand two hundred fifty-nine patients (14%) died in the ICU; the mean age of patients was 64 years (standard deviation 16.8), and 44% of patients were women. A large number of decedents (22.7%) did not have their race identified. These patients had a high rate of interventions at death. Code status varied by race, with more White patients designated as “Comfort Measures Only” (CMO) (74%) whereas more Black patients were designated as “Do Not Resuscitate/Do Not Intubate (DNR/DNI) and DNR/ok to intubate” (12.1% and 15.7%) at the end of life; after adjustment for age and severity of illness, there were no statistical differences by race for the use of the CMO code status. Use of dialysis at the end of life varied by self-identified race. Specifically, Black and Unknown patients were more likely to receive renal replacement therapy, even after adjustment for age and severity of illness (24% and 20%, p = 0.003). Conclusions: Our data describe a gap in identification of race and ethnicity, as well as differences at the end of life in the ICU, especially with respect to code status and certain markers of intensity.","PeriodicalId":74394,"journal":{"name":"Palliative medicine reports","volume":"4 1","pages":"264-273"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10507941/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41157319","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of a Study Protocol of the Application of Humor Interventions in Palliative Care Through a First Pilot Study.","authors":"Lisa Linge-Dahl,&nbsp;Sonja Heintz,&nbsp;Willibald Ruch,&nbsp;Maria Bley,&nbsp;Eckart von Hirschhausen,&nbsp;Lukas Radbruch","doi":"10.1089/pmr.2023.0014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/pmr.2023.0014","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Humor and laughter might have an alleviating effect on pain threshold and enhance coping and building relationships. However, randomized controlled studies in palliative care have struggled with high percentages of attrition and missing values.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>We aimed to evaluate a study protocol through a pilot study for the evaluation of a multistage humor intervention with psychological and physiological outcome parameters that may be applied successfully in a palliative care environment.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>This pilot study utilized a pre-post design. The inclusion of a control group for the final study setting recruiting 120 patients is planned.</p><p><strong>Setting/subjects: </strong>The study was a monocenter study in a clinic for palliative care in Germany. All patients were eligible for recruitment. Seven patients were recruited for the pilot study.</p><p><strong>Measurements: </strong>Interventions were developed using a humor training for psychiatric patients. Quantitative sensory testing for pain threshold testing and questionnaires on humor as a character trait, pain intensity, life satisfaction, and symptom burden were planned to be evaluated before and after three humor interventions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The feasibility of the original study design was re-evaluated after pilot testing. Only two out of the seven patients were able to complete two interventions, requiring modification. Fewer questionnaires, less complex physiological testing, and reduction from three to two interventions were then planned.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The initial planned research methodology must be adjusted for patients with high symptom burden. In the experimental group of the final study setting, the effects of one to two interventions will be evaluated measuring oxytocin levels in saliva and using standardized questionnaires to determine cheerfulness, life satisfaction and symptom burden, as well as assessing as-needed medication.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>DRKS00028978 German Registry of Clinical Studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":74394,"journal":{"name":"Palliative medicine reports","volume":"4 1","pages":"239-248"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10507944/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41169727","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Determinants of Attitude Toward End-of-Life Care Among Junior Physicians: Findings from a Nationwide Survey in Japan.","authors":"Yukiko Watanabe,&nbsp;Natsuki Kawashima,&nbsp;Yu Uneno,&nbsp;Soichiro Okamoto,&nbsp;Manabu Muto,&nbsp;Tatsuya Morita","doi":"10.1089/pmr.2023.0004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/pmr.2023.0004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Physicians' attitudes can be critical in quality end-of-life care. However, the determinants of the attitudes and whether the attitudes can be modified remain unclear.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To investigate factors correlated with physicians' positive attitudes toward end-of-life care and whether these attitudes are modifiable through acquired factors (e.g., education or mentorship).</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>A nationwide survey was conducted in 300 institutions and selected randomly from 1037 clinical training hospitals in Japan.</p><p><strong>Participants: </strong>From each selected institution, two resident physicians of postgraduate year (PGY) 1 or 2 and two clinical fellows from PGY 3-5 were requested to answer the survey.</p><p><strong>Measurements: </strong>The primary outcome was the Frommelt Attitudes Toward the Care of the Dying (FATCOD) scale score. Factors (e.g., the respondents' age, sex, number of years of clinical experience, training environment, religion, and beliefs around death) were examined for correlation with FATCOD score.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In all, 198 physicians and 134 clinical fellows responded to the survey (response rate: 33.0% and 22.3%, respectively). Factors with the strongest correlation with FATCOD scores were mostly unmodifiable factors (e.g., being female and one's beliefs around death). Modifiable factors were also identified-number of patient deaths experienced, level of interest in palliative care, availability of support from senior mentors, and frequency of consultation with nonphysician medical staff.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Physicians' attitudes toward end-of-life care correlate more strongly with nonmodifiable factors, but attitudes can be meaningfully improved via mentoring by senior physicians. Future studies are warranted to determine the effective interventions to foster positive attitudes among physicians involved in end-of-life care.</p>","PeriodicalId":74394,"journal":{"name":"Palliative medicine reports","volume":"4 1","pages":"257-263"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10507924/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41165166","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Validation of the Chinese (Cantonese) Version of the Patient Dignity Inventory in a Hong Kong Palliative Care Setting.","authors":"Deepa Natarajan,&nbsp;Raymond Lo See Kit,&nbsp;Eric Liang Ka Shing,&nbsp;Alice Mok Ka Wai,&nbsp;Kevin Li Chi To,&nbsp;Harvey Max Chochinov","doi":"10.1089/pmr.2023.0013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/pmr.2023.0013","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Context: </strong>To assess and address a patient's dignity and dignity-related distress would greatly benefit patients who have advanced stage disease. The Patient Dignity Inventory (PDI) allows clinicians to identify sources of dignity-related distress for patients. The PDI should be evaluated for use in a local Chinese setting.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To validate the Patient Dignity Inventory Hong Kong-Chinese (Cantonese) version (PDI-HK) and assess the psychometric properties in patients in an inpatient palliative setting in Hong Kong.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>The English version of the PDI was translated and back translated, then reviewed by a panel including a clinician, clinical psychologist, and nurse clinician. Recruited patients would complete the PDI-HK, the Chinese version of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire-Hong Kong (MQOL-HK), and the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale. Psychometric properties including internal consistency, concurrent validity, test-retest reliability, and factor analysis were tested.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 97 consecutive patients were recruited into the study. The mean PDI score was 51.85 (range 25-102). Cronbach's alpha was 0.953 (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Concurrent validity with the HADS and MQOL-HK questionnaire was established. Factor analysis showed four factors, namely Existential Distress, Physical Change and Function, Psychological Distress, and Support. These were similar to previous PDI validation studies.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The PDI was translated into Chinese (Cantonese) and applied in an inpatient palliative care unit in Hong Kong, with adequate validity. The PDI-HK version can be further used in a larger Chinese population to assess and address dignity-related issues.</p>","PeriodicalId":74394,"journal":{"name":"Palliative medicine reports","volume":"4 1","pages":"231-238"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10507919/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41142334","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Perceptions of Barriers to Using Opioid Analgesics: A Mixed Methods Study.","authors":"Atsede Aregay,&nbsp;Margaret O'Connor,&nbsp;Jill Stow,&nbsp;Nicola Ayers,&nbsp;Susan Lee","doi":"10.1089/pmr.2023.0021","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/pmr.2023.0021","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Availability and accessibility of opioids are a worldwide problem. In low-resource settings, such as Ethiopia, access to opioids is either limited or nonexistent and legally restricted in health care settings. This study aimed to identify barriers for the availability and accessibility of opioids in Ethiopian rural and regional health care settings.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A mixed-method case study design was used. A total of 220 nurses from primary, secondary, and tertiary health care settings were invited to participate in a survey of knowledge and practice. For the qualitative interview, 38 participants were recruited from educational facilities, health services, and the community across a region.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Barriers in availability and accessibility of opioid analgesics were expressing pain considered as a sign of weakness, lack of knowledge, side effect concerns about prescribing morphine, only doctors being authorized to prescribe morphine, lack of foreign currency to import morphine ingredients, and inequity in accessing morphine in hospitals and none in rural health care settings.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings of this study indicate that opioids, particularly morphine, were not consistently available and accessible to all patients in need. Health professionals lacked knowledge about opioids. Strengthening the existing pain-free initiatives and improving the type, dose, and supply of morphine could help reduce needless suffering and enhance access to essential pain medicines for those in need.</p>","PeriodicalId":74394,"journal":{"name":"Palliative medicine reports","volume":"4 1","pages":"249-256"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10523405/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41159428","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Virtual Reality Images of the Home Are Useful for Patients With Hospital-Based Palliative Care: Prospective Observational Study With Analysis by Text Mining.","authors":"Tomoyo Mukai, Yoshi Tsukiyama, Shinobu Yamada, Akinori Nishikawa, Shinya Hayami, Rie Noguchi, Junko Yoshida, Maki Kashiwada, Shigeru Ohta, Toshio Shimokawa, Hiroki Yamaue","doi":"10.1089/pmr.2023.0017","DOIUrl":"10.1089/pmr.2023.0017","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Malignancy patients who need long-term hospitalization can feel loneliness affecting their quality of life. The global COVID-19 pandemic has caused visiting restrictions that could mean patients who might be missing out on family support and palliative care, therefore, need to adapt and change. We used virtual reality (VR) technology with the aim of reducing feelings of loneliness among these patients.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>In a small cohort setting, we aimed to clarify the usefulness of VR viewing for this purpose by text mining interviews with the patients in palliative care after their VR experience, and to clarify the feasibility of this program.</p><p><strong>Design and setting/subjects: </strong>Four consecutive Japanese patients in the palliative care unit viewed personalized familiar persons or places through VR goggles, while communicating by telephone. After the VR experience, text mining of the patients' interviews was used to extract the words for the frequency count and co-occurrence analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Four clusters were extracted: \"relief from the pain of hospitalization by feeling safe and secure with family members nearby,\" \"using VR to regain daily life,\" \"immersive feeling of being in the same space as family,\" and \"loneliness due to the realistic feeling of separation from the family through VR experience.\" There were no cases of VR sickness.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our results attained by text mining suggest the promising potential of VR imaging of familiar surroundings for patients in palliative care.</p>","PeriodicalId":74394,"journal":{"name":"Palliative medicine reports","volume":"4 1","pages":"214-219"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-08-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10460958/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10123417","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}