The aim of this study was to offer an understanding of the ways in which terminally ill patients may face discrimination due to their visibly altered body. An ethnographic approach was adopted and fieldwork was conducted over 10 months in 2 inpatient hospice units in Portugal. Participant observation was complemented by 50 in-depth interviews with terminally ill patients, family members, and hospice staff. The stigma experienced by terminally ill patients derived mostly from the behavior of peers, extended family members, and friends toward their visibly altered body. There was no evidence that these patients were discredited by their immediate family when they became visibly unwell; unlike what has been reported in previous studies. This finding could be related to the strong familial culture of Portuguese society.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15524256.2016.1247770 | DOI Listing |
Medicina (Kaunas)
January 2025
SONEV Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain.
In the context of palliative care, the aim is to alleviate suffering and improve quality of life, with particular attention to PUs, which have a significant impact on quality of life and survival. This study examines the relationship between perilesional skin condition and survival in terminally ill patients with pressure ulcers (PUs). A descriptive and observational study was conducted in two hospitals in Valencia with a sample of 100 terminally ill patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGeriatrics (Basel)
January 2025
Department of Pain Medicine and Palliative Care, Amphia Hospital, 4818 CK Breda, The Netherlands.
: Spinal Phenol IN Glycerol (SPING) block is a novel palliative pain treatment for the non-operative management of proximal femur fractures (PFFs) in older adults living with frailty. Effective pain management that aligns with patient preferences and minimizes opioid use is critical in this setting. This study evaluated the patient, safety, and process outcomes of SPING block in this population.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPalliat Support Care
January 2025
Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra, Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
One of the most crucial stages of palliative care is the last days and hours of life, which require special attention and knowledgeable identification of clinical signs described as signs of impending death (SID). Our case series of 11 patients receiving home palliative care describes bilateral hypoactive, stereotyped upper arm movements (scratching of the head, forehead, and nose) that were previously unknown or described, often accompanied by SID.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Psychiatry
January 2025
The Centre for Health Ethics, Law and History, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Health Sciences, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
Background: The topic of end-of-life decisions is important due to aging populations and the rising number of terminal illnesses like cancer. As more people experience suffering, the ethical, medical, and legal debates of these decisions become significant to healthcare policy. Understanding medical professionals' attitudes is critical for shaping responsible practices and legislation surrounding end-of-life care.
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