Effect of leaflet-based intervention on family members of terminally ill patients with cancer having delirium: historical control study.

Objective: We aimed to assess leaflet-based intervention effects on family-perceived distress, the need for improvements in professional care for delirium, and family knowledge of delirium causes.

Methods: Leaflet-based intervention effects were assessed by comparing responses of family members given in the leaflet with those of a historical control group not receiving it.

Results: Knowledge of delirium causes was significantly more likely to be correct in the intervention group, while there were no significant differences in family-perceived distress or need for improvements in professional care for delirium between the 2 groups.

Usefulness of the leaflet-based intervention for family members of terminally ill cancer patients with delirium.

Background And Objective: Delirium in terminally ill cancer patients causes considerable distress to family members. The aim was to determine the family-perceived usefulness of a leaflet about delirium in terminally ill cancer patients.

Methods: Family members received a leaflet about delirium designed for this study as a part of routine practice.

Perceptions of specialized inpatient palliative care: a population-based survey in Japan.

This study aimed to clarify and compare the awareness and perceptions of the specialized inpatient palliative care service. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was performed on the general population selected by stratified two-stage random sampling (n=2,548) and bereaved families who actually received specialized inpatient palliative care at 12 palliative care units (PCUs) in Japan (n=513). The respondents reported their awareness and perceptions of PCUs.

Terminal delirium: recommendations from bereaved families' experiences.

Although delirium is a common complication in terminally ill cancer patients and can cause considerable distress for family members, little is known about effective care strategies for terminal delirium. The primary aims of this study were 1) to clarify the distress levels of bereaved families and their perceived necessity of care; and 2) to explore the association between these levels and family-reported professional care practice, family-reported patient behavior, and their interpretation of the causes of delirium. A multicenter questionnaire survey was conducted on 560 bereaved family members of cancer patients who developed delirium during their final two weeks in eight certified palliative care units across Japan.

Knowledge and beliefs about end-of-life care and the effects of specialized palliative care: a population-based survey in Japan.

To clarify the knowledge and beliefs of the Japanese general population related to legal options, pain medications, communication with physicians, and hydration/nutrition in end-of-life care, and to explore the associations between end-of-life care they had experienced and these beliefs, a questionnaire survey was conducted on two target populations: 5000 general population subjects and 866 bereaved family members of cancer patents who died in 12 palliative care units in Japan. The respondents were requested to report the legal knowledge about end-of-life options, pain-related beliefs, communication-related beliefs, and hydration/nutrition-related beliefs, and their experiences with end-of-life care. A total of 3061 responses were analyzed (effective response rate, 54%).

Efficacy and safety of palliative sedation therapy: a multicenter, prospective, observational study conducted on specialized palliative care units in Japan.

Although palliative sedation therapy is often required in terminally ill cancer patients, its efficacy and safety are not sufficiently understood. The primary aims of this multicenter observational study were to 1) explore the efficacy and safety of palliative sedation therapy, and 2) identify the factors contributing to inadequate symptom relief and complications, using a prospective study design, clearly defined measurement methods, and a consecutive sample from 21 specialized palliative care units in Japan. A sample of 102 consecutive adult cancer patients who received continuous deep sedation were enrolled.

Ethical validity of palliative sedation therapy: a multicenter, prospective, observational study conducted on specialized palliative care units in Japan.

Although palliative sedation therapy is often required in terminally ill cancer patients to achieve acceptable symptom relief, empirical data supporting the ethical validity of this approach are lacking. The primary aim of this study was to systematically investigate whether empirical evidence supports the ethical validity of sedation. This was a multicenter, prospective, observational study, which was conducted by 21 specialized palliative care units in Japan.

Late referrals to specialized palliative care service in Japan.

Purpose: To clarify the bereaved family's perceptions about the appropriateness of timing when physicians first referred patients to palliative care units, and to identify the factors contributing to family-perceived late referrals.

Subjects And Methods: A multicenter questionnaire survey was conducted on 630 bereaved family members of cancer patents who were admitted to palliative care units in Japan. A total of 318 responses were analyzed (effective response rate, 62%).