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Terminal Prognosis (terminal + prognosis)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	75%

Selected Abstracts

Difficulty Accepting a Terminal Prognosis Linked with Depression, Anxiety, and Suffering

CA: A CANCER JOURNAL FOR CLINICIANS, Issue 2 2010
John Henry Dreyfuss
No abstract is available for this article. [source]

Senior house officers' experience of a six month post in a hospice

MEDICAL EDUCATION, Issue 1 2002
M Lloyd Williams
Background Hospices provide care for patients with a terminal prognosis , a very small number of hospices employ Senior House Officers. Method A survey was carried out to determine the experiences of SHOs working in hospices and their perceptions of the learning opportunities available. Perceived stress was measured by a Visual Analogue scale and psychological distress by the GHQ 12. Results Of the 38 posts identified 23 SHOs (60%) responded and the majority had qualified during the last five years. Formal teaching was limited, but experiential teaching was very positively described. Many SHOs described their posts as stressful and cited staff conflict and caring for young patients as particularly stressful. Median stress scores as measured on the VAS was 55 mm (range 0,98 mm). Five respondents 22% scored for identifiable psychological distress on the GHQ 12. Conclusion Conclusions include the need to acknowledge the important learning opportunities provided within hospices but also the need for consultant staff to be aware of the sources of stress for SHOs and their need for support. [source]

Sustaining hope when communicating with terminally ill patients and their families: a systematic review

PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 7 2008
Josephine M. Clayton
Abstract The aim of this systematic review was to examine studies that have investigated sustaining hope during prognostic and end-of-life issues discussions with terminally ill patients and their families. A comprehensive search of databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) and handsearching, from 1985 to June 2006, identified 27 studies. This review suggests that the issues surrounding hope in this context are complex. Despite the lack of unanimity among researchers regarding the definition of hope, findings suggest that balancing hope with honesty is an important skill for health professionals (HPs). Many patients seem to be able to maintain a sense of hope despite acknowledging the terminal nature of their illness. Patients and caregivers mostly preferred honest and accurate information, provided with empathy and understanding. Many different sources of hope were identified in this context in broad aspects of life, not just the medical situation. HPs need to recognize this spectrum of hope and appreciate that patients may simultaneously hope for ,cure' while acknowledging the terminal nature of their illness. HPs may help patients to cope with their terminal prognosis by exploring and fostering realistic forms of hope that are meaningful for the particular patient and their family. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

,Hitting you over the head': Oncologists' disclosure of prognosis to advanced cancer patients

BIOETHICS, Issue 2 2003
Elisa J. Gordon
The disclosure of prognosis to terminally ill patients has emerged as a recent concern given greater demands for patient involvement in medical decision-making in the United States. As part of the informed consent process, American physicians are legally and ethically obligated to provide information to such patients about the risks, benefits, and alternatives of all available treatment options including the use of experimental therapies. Although not legally required, the disclosure of a terminal prognosis is ethically justified because it upholds the principle of self-determination and enables patients to make treatment decisions consistent with their life goals. To understand oncologists' attitudes about disclosing prognostic information to cancer patients with advanced disease, we interviewed fourteen oncologists and conducted one focus group of medical fellows. Although oncologists reported to disclose prognosis in terms of cancer not being curable, they tend to avoid using percentages to convey prognosis. Oncologists' reported reluctance to disclosing prognosis was conveyed through the use of metaphors depicting the perceived violent impact of such information on patients. Oncologists' reluctance to disclose prognosis and preserve patient hope are held in check by their need to ensure that patients have ,realistic expectations' about therapy. We discuss these data in light of the cultural, ethical, and legal dimensions of prognosis disclosure, patient hope and the doctor,patient relationship, and recommend ways to enhance the communication process. [source]