Related Experiment Videos
The effect of palliative care on patient functioning
Donald H Taylor1, Janet Bull, Xiaoyin Zhong
11 Duke Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University , Durham, North Carolina.
Journal of Palliative Medicine
|September 12, 2013
Summary
Increased palliative care visits correlate with better patient functioning, though initial patient status remains the strongest predictor. Early palliative care can positively impact quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Palliative Care Medicine
- Quality of Life Research
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Palliative care is increasingly recognized beyond end-of-life stages.
- The impact of early palliative care on patient functioning requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if increased palliative care utilization is associated with improved patient functioning.
- To test the hypothesis that early palliative care enhances patient functioning.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Carolinas Palliative Care Database Consortium.
- Analyzed palliative care encounter data and patient functioning metrics.
- Employed an area under the curve (AUC) approach to measure functioning changes.
Main Results:
- Each additional palliative care visit in the first month correlated with a statistically significant increase in patient functioning (0.008 per visit, p=0.01).
- Initial patient functioning status was a much stronger predictor of subsequent functioning (0.52, p<0.001) than visit frequency.
- The association between palliative care visits and improved functioning was observed across all initial functioning levels.
Conclusions:
- Increased palliative care use is linked to enhanced patient functioning.
- Initial patient functioning status is the most significant determinant of future functioning.
- Precisely isolating the impact of palliative care on functioning is challenging due to patient-specific factors.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Continuing Care
Continuing care describes the variety of health, personal, and social services provided over a prolonged period. The need for continuing care is increasing because people are living longer. Many people do not have families or others to care for them. Continuing care is mainly for patients who are disabled, functionally dependent, or suffering from a terminal disease. It is available within institutional settings or in homes. Examples include nursing centers or facilities, assisted living,...
01:13Patient-centered Care
Patient-centered care involves delivering care beyond inpatient hospitalization. Reflective practice can enhance a patient-centered approach. Reflective practice is a process of reasoning that considers all aspects of the present situation, including practicalities, learning from personal practice, and consideration of patient needs. Patients appreciate care decisions made while considering their input. Involving the patient in their care provides the patient with a sense of contribution rather...
01:27Ethical Issues
Nurses are essential in patient care, upholding the ethical principles of their profession and effectively navigating ethical dilemmas. Neglecting ethical issues can lead to inadequate patient care, compromised therapeutic relationships, and moral distress among healthcare workers.
Ethical Concerns in Healthcare:
Ethical Concerns in Healthcare:
01:21Planning Nursing Care I
The planning phase of the nursing process helps nurses set priorities, outline patient-centered goals and expected outcomes, and tailor nursing interventions to align with the aligned care plan. Through the planning phase, the nurse applies critical thinking skills to align and develop interventions according to the patient's needs. It provides continuity of care allowing patients to receive the maximum benefit from treatment. It serves as a pilot plan for allocating individual staff to a...
01:19Restorative Care
Restorative care is provided once a patient has been discharged from a healthcare facility and requires additional services. The additional services include home care, rehabilitation programs, and extended care. Restorative care centers help the patient regain their previous level of functioning or acquire a new level of functioning due to the incapacitating effects of a disease or a disability. It aims to assist patients in enhancing their quality of life by encouraging independence,...
01:29Aims Of Nursing
Nursing involves independent, cooperative, person-centered care for people of all ages, families, groups, and communities. Nurses assist the sick or the well person in all settings. Nursing includes promoting health, preventing illness, and caring for ill, disabled, and dying people. Health promotion encourages people to take responsibility for their health. It focuses on the healthy behavior of individuals, families, and the community and the factors that impact their health. Examples of...