Publications by authors named "Po-Shan Ko"
Article Synopsis
- - The study investigates how self-efficacy (SE) among caregivers influences the relationship between their unmet support needs and their health-related quality of life (HRQOL) while caring for palliative cancer patients.
- - Researchers analyzed data from 125 family caregivers and found that unmet support needs negatively impacted mental HRQOL, with caregiving SE specifically in "care for the care recipient" acting as a mediator.
- - The results suggest that improving caregiving SE could be key in helping caregivers better cope with their unmet needs, ultimately enhancing their HRQOL, highlighting the importance of supportive interventions from healthcare providers.
Objective: To analyze the nature and types of community palliative and end-of-life care (PEoLC) services in Hong Kong in order to inform future service development.
Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study systematically searched the eligible websites of service providers concerning community PEoLC services for patients and their family caregivers using the Hong Kong version of the Google Search engine in August 2021. Search terms included different traditional Chinese translations of palliative care, end-of- lifecare, and hospice care.
Article Synopsis
- - The study evaluated the reliability, validity, and acceptability of the Chinese version of the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool (CSNAT) for family caregivers in palliative care in Hong Kong, involving 125 caregivers and 10 healthcare providers.
- - Results showed an impressive content validity index of 0.98, with significant correlations between CSNAT items and measures like caregiver burden and self-efficacy; however, it did not correlate well with social support.
- - Most healthcare professionals found the tool useful, with high acceptability among caregivers, as 89.6% understood it well and 92.9% felt comfortable responding to its questions.
Background: Malnutrition in advanced cancer patients is common but limited and inconclusive data exists on the effectiveness of nutrition interventions. Feasibility and acceptability of a novel family-based nutritional psychosocial intervention were established recently. The aims of this present study were to assess the feasibility of undertaking a randomised controlled trial of the latter intervention, to pilot test outcome measures and to explore preliminary outcomes.
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- The study explored the acceptability of the PIcNIC intervention, which involves nutrition education for cancer patients and their families, to enhance patient outcomes.
- The research included semi-structured interviews with 64 participants from Australia and Hong Kong, focusing on patients, family members, and healthcare professionals to gather insights on the intervention's effectiveness.
- Findings highlighted key areas like the necessity for personalized nutrition plans, the importance of family involvement, and the varying perceptions across different participant groups about the intervention's implementation and resources, suggesting it is a valued approach for cancer care.
Background: Although evidence increasingly demonstrates the effects of advance care planning, the relevant studies are of questionable quality, and lack consensus regarding when and with whom to initiate the conversation.
Objective: To examine the effects of a structured, nurse-led post-discharge advance care planning programme on congruence between the end-of-life care preferences of the patient and family members, decisional conflicts and the documentation of care preferences.
Design: A two-arm parallel-group randomised controlled trial.
Background: Malnutrition is frequent in patients with cancer, particularly those in advanced stages of the disease. The aim of the present study was to test the feasibility of a family-centred nutritional intervention, based on the Family Systems theory and past research.
Methods: This was a single-arm trial assessing feasibility (eligibility, recruitment and retention rates); acceptability by patients, family caregivers and health professionals; intervention fidelity, and energy/protein intake (in one site only).