Preeti Pushpalata Zanwar, Jahnavi Yalamanchili, Sisi Hu, Leah V Estrada, Zaliha Omar, Zahra Rahemi
{"title":"Assessment of needs, challenges, and re-design considerations for culturally sensitive provision and delivery of palliative care supports and services for older adults who prefer to age and die in place in diverse India.","authors":"Preeti Pushpalata Zanwar, Jahnavi Yalamanchili, Sisi Hu, Leah V Estrada, Zaliha Omar, Zahra Rahemi","doi":"10.21037/apm-23-527","DOIUrl":"10.21037/apm-23-527","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>As the global older adult population continues to grow, challenges related to managing multiple chronic conditions (MCCs) or multimorbidity underscore the growing need for palliative care. Palliative care preferences and needs vary significantly based on context, location, and culture. As a result, there is a need for more clarity on what constitutes palliative care in diverse settings. Our objective was to present an international perspective on palliative care in India, a culturally diverse and large ancient Eastern middle-income country. In this narrative review article, we considered three questions when re-designing palliative care for older adults aging-in-place in India: (I) what are the needs for palliative care for persons and their families? (II) Which palliative care domains are essential in assessing improvements in the quality of life (QoL)? (III) What patient reported measures are essential considerations for palliative care? To address these questions, we provide recommendations based on the following key domains: social, behavioral, psychological, cultural, spiritual, medical, bereavement, legal, and economic. Using an established and widely reported conceptual framework on aging and health disparities, we provide how these domains map across multiple levels of influence, such as individual or family members, community, institutions, and health systems for achieving the desired QoL. For greater adoption, reach, and accessibility across diverse India, we conclude palliative care must be carefully and systematically re-designed to be culturally appropriate and community-focused, incorporating traditions, individual preferences, language(s), supports and services from educational and health institutions, community organizations and the government. In addition, national government insurance schemes such as the Ayushman Bharat Yojna can include explicit provisions for palliative care so that it is affordable to all, regardless of ability to pay. In summary, our considerations for incorporating palliative care domains to care of whole person and their families, and provision of supports of services from an array of stakeholders broadly apply to culturally diverse older adults aging in place in India and around the globe who prefer to age and die in place.</p>","PeriodicalId":7956,"journal":{"name":"Annals of palliative medicine","volume":" ","pages":"1476-1489"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12135407/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142279548","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Taeyoung Park, Veerawat Phongtankuel, Marcela D Blinka, Milagros Silva, Dulce M Cruz-Oliver
{"title":"Understanding the home hospice experience of Puerto Rican caregivers.","authors":"Taeyoung Park, Veerawat Phongtankuel, Marcela D Blinka, Milagros Silva, Dulce M Cruz-Oliver","doi":"10.21037/apm-24-24","DOIUrl":"10.21037/apm-24-24","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hospice use among Hispanic Medicare beneficiaries has declined in the last few years, and Hispanic caregivers have reported insufficient support around the emotional and spiritual aspects of care. Understanding the home hospice experience of Puerto Rican (PR) caregivers can yield insight into ways to improve hospice participation and quality of care for the Hispanic population. This exploratory study utilizes qualitative methods to identify PR caregivers' experience in the setting of home hospice care. Data from interviews with eight (n=8) bereaved PR caregivers of patients who received home hospice care were qualitatively analyzed. Participants were mostly well-educated (n=6/8) female caregivers caring for their parent (n=7/8) with mean age of 57 [standard deviation (SD) =13] years. Emerging domains from the study included (I) symptom management; (II) cultural and religious values; and (III) interaction with hospice providers. Caregivers found managing patients' loss of appetite, pain, anxiety, and confusion to be challenging. They identified family-centered values and religious support as culturally important, which manifested as the need for frequent communication from hospice providers and increased support and education at the end-of-life. Culturally tailored interventions that focus on managing symptoms, tailoring care to support family-centered values, integrating religious officials representative of the patient's beliefs into the hospice team, and communicating effectively with providers may reduce the burden experienced by PR caregivers in home hospice and improve outcomes for patients and caregivers. Additional research will aid in the development of evidence-based intervention and policies urging healthcare providers to offer culturally appropriate hospice care and resources to this population.</p>","PeriodicalId":7956,"journal":{"name":"Annals of palliative medicine","volume":" ","pages":"1401-1408"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142016167","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Surveillance of patients after palliative radiation, how to make it feasible.","authors":"Eva Oldenburger","doi":"10.21037/apm-24-109","DOIUrl":"10.21037/apm-24-109","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7956,"journal":{"name":"Annals of palliative medicine","volume":" ","pages":"1541-1544"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142456526","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jaewook Shin, Shriya Perati, Joshua T Cohen, Thomas J Miner
{"title":"The appropriate use of gastrostomy tubes in palliative surgery.","authors":"Jaewook Shin, Shriya Perati, Joshua T Cohen, Thomas J Miner","doi":"10.21037/apm-24-83","DOIUrl":"10.21037/apm-24-83","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Palliative surgery is defined as an operation or procedure performed with the primary intention of relieving symptoms or improving quality of life. Gastrostomy tubes are often employed with palliative intent but, like many palliative interventions, there is insufficient data to facilitate surgical decision-making. This can be challenging for healthcare professionals as caring for palliative patients often encompasses end of life care, severe life-altering symptoms, and poor prognosis. Thus, we have gathered available data for the appropriate use of gastrostomy tube in palliative surgery and propose our mini-review as a primer to aid in medical and surgical decision-making. We first provide the background for palliative surgery and the definition, brief history and techniques pertinent to palliative gastrostomy tube (PGT). Then we review the data relevant to two common indications-head/neck cancer and malignant bowel obstruction-for PGT. As our deliverable, we present an effective paradigm for delivering the data to patients and families utilizing known palliative communication and decision-making frameworks such as the Palliative Triangle, Best Case/Worst Case and Defining Value. Moreover, we highlight the necessity of conducting more palliative care research that involves palliative outcome measures in addition to traditional metrics such as overall survival. We end our discussion by emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary team, individualized decision-making, and relationship-based care for palliative patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":7956,"journal":{"name":"Annals of palliative medicine","volume":" ","pages":"1449-1457"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142456527","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cristiane Decat Bergerot, Paulo Gustavo Bergerot, Julia Maues, Barbara Segarra-Vazquez, Max Senna Mano, Paolo Tarantino
{"title":"Understanding the intent of our narrative review on psychological challenges in breast cancer survivorship.","authors":"Cristiane Decat Bergerot, Paulo Gustavo Bergerot, Julia Maues, Barbara Segarra-Vazquez, Max Senna Mano, Paolo Tarantino","doi":"10.21037/apm-24-140","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21037/apm-24-140","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7956,"journal":{"name":"Annals of palliative medicine","volume":"13 6","pages":"1550-1551"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142778752","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Top reviewers for Annals of Palliative Medicine from 2023.","authors":"Charles B Simone","doi":"10.21037/apm-24-160","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21037/apm-24-160","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7956,"journal":{"name":"Annals of palliative medicine","volume":"13 6","pages":"1315-1316"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142778751","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Hair loss: alopecia fears and realities for survivors of breast cancer-a narrative review.","authors":"Malika Peera, Lucy Rose, Lily Kaufman, Elwyn Zhang, Muna Alkhaifi, Brittany Dulmage","doi":"10.21037/apm-24-69","DOIUrl":"10.21037/apm-24-69","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objective: </strong>Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer among women, with over 2.3 million women being diagnosed in 2022. In addition to the emotional and physical toll that comes with a new cancer diagnosis, treatments such as chemotherapies, endocrine therapies, and radiation therapies may cause undesirable side effects. Side effects from cancer treatments can be detrimental to the quality of life of patients and their support systems. This narrative review consolidates current research on the impacts of alopecia on breast cancer survivors and provides a comprehensive overview of the various preventative options and treatments available.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Current literature on alopecia and breast cancer was searched using PubMed and Google Scholar. The search strategy utilized a combination of keywords related to breast cancer, alopecia, body image, and alopecia prevention and treatment. Retrievable and English articles from January 2000 to April 2024 were included in the review.</p><p><strong>Key content and findings: </strong>Women with breast cancer cited alopecia, or hair loss, as the third-most undesirable side effect from chemotherapy, only trailing behind nausea and vomiting. Other studies have further supported this notion, expressing that alopecia negatively impacts patients' body image, social functioning, and sense of self. Further research has indicated that alopecia could hinder individuals from accessing essential cancer therapies. Breast cancer patients use a variety of coping strategies for cancer treatment-induced alopecia, including preventive measures, treatments to accelerate hair regrowth, camouflaging tools, and psychosocial supports.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Alopecia, as a result of cancer treatment, has many significant and distressing effects on breast cancer patients. Customized interventions may help breast cancer patients feel more comfortable about themselves, after experiencing chemotherapy-induced alopecia. These findings indicate the need for further research on preventative options and treatments for cancer treatment-induced alopecia.</p>","PeriodicalId":7956,"journal":{"name":"Annals of palliative medicine","volume":" ","pages":"1235-1245"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141915967","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cristiane Bergerot, Paulo Gustavo Bergerot, Julia Maués, Barbara Segarra-Vazquez, Max Senna Mano, Paolo Tarantino
{"title":"Is cancer back?-psychological issues faced by survivors of breast cancer.","authors":"Cristiane Bergerot, Paulo Gustavo Bergerot, Julia Maués, Barbara Segarra-Vazquez, Max Senna Mano, Paolo Tarantino","doi":"10.21037/apm-24-54","DOIUrl":"10.21037/apm-24-54","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Breast cancer survival rates have shown notable improvements over the years thanks to advancements in detection, treatment modalities, and supportive care. However, survivors often encounter challenges when reintegrating into daily life and managing persistent physical and psychological concerns. This review article aims to delve into the multifaceted emotional complexities faced by survivors, encompassing a spectrum of issues from fear of recurrence to body image insecurities, thus emphasizing the imperative for comprehensive support. Articles were reviewed through searches of PubMed and through searches of the author's own file. We will examine not only the risk factors contributing to heightened psychological distress but also the periods of vulnerability and the most common unmet needs encountered by these individuals. Additionally, we will discuss various psychological interventions and strategies designed to promote resilience and enhance the quality of life post-diagnosis. Furthermore, we will underscore the pressing need for ongoing, specific research endeavors aimed at addressing the long-term psychological impacts of cancer recurrence on survivorship. By shedding light on these critical aspects, we aim not only to provide insight into the challenges faced by survivors but also to advocate for the importance of integrating comprehensive psychological support into survivorship care. Through this thorough exploration, we seek to empower both survivors and healthcare professionals alike, facilitating a deeper understanding of the complexities inherent in the breast cancer survivorship journey. Ultimately, our aim is to highlight the crucial aspects that must be considered by healthcare professionals in providing holistic care to breast cancer survivors.</p>","PeriodicalId":7956,"journal":{"name":"Annals of palliative medicine","volume":" ","pages":"1229-1234"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142016163","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Samantha K F Kennedy, Selena Mekhaeil, Elwyn Zhang, Niusha Aghadavoudi Jolfaei, Henry C Y Wong, Adrian W Chan, Shing Fung Lee, Darren Haywood, Deborah Kirk, Aalaa M Abdou, Ragisha Gopalakrishnan, Helena Guedes, Chia Jie Tan, Carla Thamm, Muna Alkhaifi
{"title":"Sexual health after breast cancer: a clinical practice review.","authors":"Samantha K F Kennedy, Selena Mekhaeil, Elwyn Zhang, Niusha Aghadavoudi Jolfaei, Henry C Y Wong, Adrian W Chan, Shing Fung Lee, Darren Haywood, Deborah Kirk, Aalaa M Abdou, Ragisha Gopalakrishnan, Helena Guedes, Chia Jie Tan, Carla Thamm, Muna Alkhaifi","doi":"10.21037/apm-24-77","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21037/apm-24-77","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Breast cancer (BC) diagnoses not only present physical challenges but profoundly affect survivors' psychosocial well-being leading to sexual health challenges. This clinical practice review aimed to discuss the current literature and outline the knowledge gaps related to care for sexual health after BC, including survivors' sexual health concerns, as well as available prospective surveillance programs. Current literature on the sexual health challenges of BC survivors was identified and sorted into contributing factors, treatments and interventions, and practice recommendations. This evidence was then used to identify gaps in the literature and make recommendations for future research. BC survivors experience a variety of physical symptoms, such as pain during sex or dyspareunia, which impair sexual well-being. Additionally, dissatisfaction with sexual function may arise due to psychosocial stressors (e.g., depression or body image concerns) and the inverse may worsen psychological well-being. Treatments can have lasting effects that may impact sexual function, often reciprocally related to physical and psychosocial factors. Current treatments for sexual dysfunction involve topical products for vaginal symptoms (e.g., creams, pH-balanced gels, hyaluronic acid or vitamin E suppositories, natural oils, topical estrogen, or lubricants) and various counseling and educational interventions (e.g., mental health counseling, sex therapy, or couples-based psychotherapy). There is a general lack of research considering the ways in which intersectional concerns can impact sexual health experiences after BC. Existing studies do not often consider potential differences in needs that may arise due to ethnicity, age, or socioeconomic background. To address these limitations a significant paradigm shift in survivorship care. This requires moving beyond disease management towards a more holistic, comprehensive, patient-centered approach prioritizing comfort and sexual well-being.</p>","PeriodicalId":7956,"journal":{"name":"Annals of palliative medicine","volume":"13 5","pages":"1281-1290"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142399186","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Myrna Doumit, Manochehr Samadi, Hassan Khadar Mohamoud, Amal Farah Adan, Gebrekirstos Hagos, Shirin Ahmadnia, Margaret I Fitch, Annie M Young
{"title":"Oncology nursing in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: listening to the workforce.","authors":"Myrna Doumit, Manochehr Samadi, Hassan Khadar Mohamoud, Amal Farah Adan, Gebrekirstos Hagos, Shirin Ahmadnia, Margaret I Fitch, Annie M Young","doi":"10.21037/apm-23-511","DOIUrl":"10.21037/apm-23-511","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Over half the countries in the World Health Organization (WHO) Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) are experiencing conflict or are socially fragile, compromising cancer care. Nonetheless, throughout the EMR, competent nurses are major players in the cancer care team. The aim of this paper is to portray the challenges and opportunities for oncology nursing in the EMR.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This paper draws upon the relevant literature on oncology nursing across EMR with a focus on Afghanistan, Lebanon, Somaliland, and Iran. To enhance the scant nursing literature and obtain real-life experiences, short interviews were undertaken with nine nurses and two doctors, personal contacts of the authors, working in cancer care in those countries.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Against the general background of vast economic constraints in health services, the lack of recognition of oncology nursing as a speciality and high rates of nurse migration, many oncology nurses in EMR are fighting for professional recognition and some are working under unsafe conditions. Undeterred by these circumstances, nurses are making every effort to care compassionately for people with cancer.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The perspectives of the cancer workforce in EMR both foster an appreciation of cultural diversity and provide the evidence and motivation for oncology nurses worldwide to further collaborate via global nursing organisations to strive for country-specific recognition and change in nursing practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":7956,"journal":{"name":"Annals of palliative medicine","volume":" ","pages":"1210-1228"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142016164","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}