Some differences between social work, spiritual care, and psychology: Content variance in end-of-life conversations.

Objectives: Within the multidisciplinary team, there can sometimes be lack of clarity as to the specific different contributions of each of the psycho-social-spiritual professionals: social workers, psychologist, and spiritual caregivers. This study examined the content of their end-of-life conversations with patients.

Methods: A total of 180 patients with terminal cancer received standard multidisciplinary care, including conversations with a social worker, psychologist, and spiritual caregiver.

Associations Between Psycho-Social-Spiritual Interventions, Fewer Aggressive End-of-Life Measures, and Increased Time After Final Oncologic Treatment.

Background: Little is known about the impact of spiritual caregivers, psychologists, and social workers on desired end-of-life (EoL) medical outcomes, such as reduced use of aggressive care in the final 2 weeks of life, having more time between the last active oncological treatment and death, and increased hospice use.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a prospective study of 180 patients with cancer and their families, their interactions with social work, psychology, and spiritual care, and the above three treatment outcomes.

Results: We found that having one or more spiritual care visits (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.

The perception and attitudes of Israeli cancer patients regarding advance care planning.

Objectives: Advance care planning (ACP) allows patients to acknowledge and document their preferences regarding end-of-life care and to ensure their fulfilment. Several factors were found to be related to patients' motivation regarding this process, such as their fear of being a burden on family members; however, the completion rate of the ACP forms is partial. The current study aimed to evaluate the barriers and motives among Israeli cancer patients regarding ACP, including many older adults.

The Effect of Inquiry-Based Stress Reduction on Teacher Burnout: A Controlled Trial.

Burnout is a well-known phenomenon with significant social, biological and economic costs. In particular, teacher burnout is associated with unfavorable mental health outcomes and economic costs due to reduced hours and teacher turnover. This study investigated the effect of an Inquiry-Based Stress Reduction (IBSR) cognitive-reframing program on teacher burnout using a quasi-experimental design.

The perception of Israeli oncology staff members regarding advance care planning.

Background: Advance care planning (ACP) defines end-of-life care in accordance with the patients' preferences. It is highly important during mental and/or physical deterioration, which prevents patients from expressing their wishes. Despite various attempts worldwide to promote the issue, it is not well established, suggesting various challenges in the implementation of the process in the medical system.

The effects of Inquiry-Based Stress Reduction (IBSR) on mental health and well-being among a non-clinical sample.

Background: Mental problems are highly common among the general population. Mind-body interventions were found to be highly effective in treating them. The current study assessed the effect of Inquiry-Based Stress Reduction (IBSR) meditation on psychological parameters in a general population sample.

Cannabis-related cognitive impairment: a prospective evaluation of possible influences on patients with cancer during chemotherapy treatment as a pilot study.

Objectives: In patients with cancer, the use of medical cannabis has increased significantly during the recent years. There is evidence that cannabis consumption may affect cognitive performance; however, this potential effect has not been investigated prospectively in patients with cancer to date. We aimed to evaluate the effect of cannabis consumption on cognitive abilities as well as on symptom relief in patients with cancer during chemotherapy treatment.

Attachment Orientation and Relationships With Physicians and Nurses Among Israeli Patients With Advanced Cancer.

Objectives: To examine the association between attachment orientation and relationships with physicians and nurses among Israeli patients with advanced cancer.

Sample & Setting: 52 patients with advanced cancer during active oncologic treatment.

Methods & Variables: Eligible patients who agreed to participate in the study completed the Experience in Close Relationships Scale, Working Alliance Inventory-Short Revised, and a list of topics, which were defined by the research team as central and common to patients' coping.

Medical students' attitudes towards participating in a palliative medicine course: A new specialty in Israel.

Background: Palliative medicine is a growing field in Israel, and its training program is still in process. The current study aimed to evaluate students' attitudes regarding a course in palliative care established in a division of oncology.

Method: Some 45 medical students in their 5th to 6th years participated in a one-week course on palliative care.

Understanding the Attitudes of Patients with Cancer Toward Complementary and Alternative Therapies.

Background: The high prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among patients with cancer can be explained by reasons such as growing scientific evidence and improved regulation. However, subjective considerations are also relevant for practicing CAM and perceiving its effectiveness. The current study aimed at qualitatively estimating patients' prior beliefs and expectations, as well as their level of satisfaction after the treatment.

Perceptions of the working alliance among medical staff and cancer patients.

Objective: A working alliance (WA) is considered an essential factor in therapeutic relationships, relating to the mutual and interactive aspects of the relationship. In the medical setting, a WA has been found to be related to various positive outcomes; however, it has previously been investigated solely from the patient's perspective. The aim of the current study was to measure the concept from both sides of the patient-medical staff interaction.

The association between the strength of the working alliance and sharing concerns by advanced cancer patients: a pilot study.

Objectives: A strong therapeutic alliance between cancer patients and medical staff is associated with treatment adherence, better health outcomes, and an emotional acceptance of a terminal illness. Given its significant role, the current study investigated the association between the working alliance and sharing concerns by advanced cancer patients.

Methods: Advanced cancer patients completed the Working Alliance Inventory-Short Revised and a checklist of topics in which they rated their degree of concern about the topics and the degree of sharing them with their physician/nurse.

[The effects of "The Work" meditation technique on psychological scales among a non-clinical sample].

Background: "The Work" is a meditative technique developed by Byron Katie in 1986 and is practiced by hundreds of thousands of people in more than 30 countries. The technique trains individuals to identify the thoughts that cause stress and suffering in a systematic and comprehensive way and to meditatively "investigate" these thoughts, thus enabling them to experience a different interpretation of reality.

Goals: The current study aimed to assess the effect of "The Work" meditation on psychological scales among a non-clinical sample.

The effect of complementary and alternative medicine on quality of life, depression, anxiety, and fatigue levels among cancer patients during active oncology treatment: phase II study.

Background: During the past decade, there has been growing interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among cancer patients and it is being integrated more frequently within conventional cancer centers. The long-term effect of mind-body therapies on quality of life (QoL), depression, anxiety, and fatigue was tested prospectively in this study.

Patients And Methods: Cancer patients who received six weekly sessions of CAM during their oncological treatments participated in the study.

The effects of "The Work" meditation (Byron Katie) on psychological symptoms and quality of life--a pilot clinical study.

Objectives: "The Work" is a meditative technique that enables the identification and investigation of thoughts that cause an individual stress and suffering. Its core is comprised of four questions and turnarounds that enable the participant to experience a different interpretation of reality. We assessed the effect of "The Work" meditation on quality of life and psychological symptoms in a non-clinical sample.

Perceptions of a patient-staff-caregiver group among inpatients in a radiotherapy unit.

Objective: Coping with cancer and its treatments has significant psychological implications for patients, and hospitalization can lead to emotional distress. Based on a community meeting (CM), a common therapeutic intervention in psychiatric wards, a unique patient-staff-caregiver group is held weekly on the radiotherapy unit of our hospital. The goals are to strengthen patient coping abilities and prompt open communications.

"Balint group" meetings for oncology residents as a tool to improve therapeutic communication skills and reduce burnout level.

Medical training, particularly residency, may pose many challenges and may lead to burnout. Oncology training may be more stressful, given the prolonged exposure to death and dying. Balint group is an intervention method common in medical training, aimed at improving communication skills and strengthening doctor-patient relationships.