A pragmatic 2 x 2 x 2 factorial cluster randomized controlled trial of educational outreach visiting and case conferencing in palliative care-methodology of the Palliative Care Trial [ISRCTN 81117481].

The demand for palliative care is increasing, yet there are few data on the best models of care nor well-validated interventions that translate current evidence into clinical practice. Supporting multidisciplinary patient-centered palliative care while successfully conducting a large clinical trial is a challenge. The Palliative Care Trial (PCT) is a pragmatic 2 x 2 x 2 factorial cluster randomized controlled trial that tests the ability of educational outreach visiting and case conferencing to improve patient-based outcomes such as performance status and pain intensity.

Factors influencing the decision of older people living in independent units to enter the acute care system.

Aims And Objectives: This South Australian-based study explored and described the factors influencing the decision of older people living in the community in independent living units to enter the acute care system.

Background: Community-based older Australians, an increasing population segment, make choices about support needed to optimize health and well-being. This includes when to enter the acute care system.

Making choices: how older people living in independent living units decide to enter the acute care system.

Older people living in independent living units make choices about where they live and the degree of support required to maximize their health and well-being. This can include when to enter the acute care system. Using a multimethod, multistage qualitative approach, this study aims to explore and describe the decision-making process of older people living in independent living units to enter the acute care system.

Ensuring excellence: an investigation of the issues that impact on the registered nurse providing residential care to older Australians.

The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive picture of the issues that impact upon the registered nurse providing residential aged care, in order to contribute to best practice initiatives to enhance both the health and well-being of older Australians and the professional working life of registered nurses working in this sector. The impact of an ageing population is being felt in Australia as in other western countries. In Australia, there is an estimated 12% of the population aged 65 and over, with a projected increase to 18% by 2021.