The need for palliative care for patients with non-cancer diseases: a review of the evidence.

The palliative care needs of patients with cancer are understood and managed well by specialist palliative care services. Patients dying of non-cancer diseases are rarely offered these services. A literature review was conducted to determine the physical and psychosocial problems of patients dying from non-cancer diseases.

Newly registered elderly patients: who are they and why such delay in the transfer of their medical records?

The time taken to transfer the records of elderly patients registering with a new general practice was investigated. Thirty five (5%) of a total of 671 patients aged 75 and over were entered as new patients on to the age-sex register of an urban group practice during one year. Twenty nine had moved into the area and six had changed their general practitioner for personal and other reasons.

Changes in the population aged over 75 of an urban general practice: implications for screening.

In an urban group practice of six principals 545 (4.2%) of 13 100 patients were over 75 years of age. Although 54 of these patients died during one year, there were 72 "urban migrants" (42 removed from the district and were replaced by 30 new registrations) and 58 age transfers within the age-sex register.

Dying as a diagnosis: difficulties of communication and management in elderly patients.

91 responses to a standard interview from medical and nursing staff who had cared for 24 elderly patients who died were assessed to determine whether staff and patients knew that dying was part of the diagnosis. 45% of respondents had concluded that their patients knew the clinical diagnosis and 42% that their patients knew death was imminent. Only 18% of respondents had discussed the diagnosis with patients and only 14% had discussed impending death.

Can readmissions to a geriatric medical unit be prevented?

During the year ending April 2, 1982, 153 patients readmitted to a geriatric medical unit within twelve months of their previous discharge from any hospital in the district accounted for 24.8% of the 617 patients admitted. Readmission of the 153 patients was due to unavoidable clinical deterioration (32%), inadequate medical management (21%), non-compliance of patient (20.