October 31st, 2011 by RyanDuBosar in Research
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Providing information of imminent death to cancer patients does not increase pain or anxiety, but is associated with improved care and to increase the likelihood of fulfilling the principles of a good death, a Swedish study found.
Informed patients significantly more often had parenteral drugs prescribed as needed, died in his or her preferred place, and had an informed family who were offered bereavement support. There was no difference between informed and uninformed patients in control of pain, anxiety, nausea, and respiratory tract secretions, although there was a difference in management of confusion. Results appeared in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Since 2000, there has been an increasing focus on palliative care in Sweden, the study authors wrote. In 2001, the Swedish Government identified breakpoints for Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at ACP Hospitalist*
October 2nd, 2009 by KevinMD in Better Health Network, Opinion
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“Psychiatrists may be the last batch of physicians who are still granted a luxurious amount of time with patients.”
So says Maria, a psychiatrist who blogs over at intueri.
And because time is so undervalued in our health system, some doctors are relying on psychiatrists to counsel patients in the hospital. She cites an example with surgeons, saying that “it is entirely unfair to both the patient and the psychiatrist for the surgeon to completely emotionally ‘turf’ the patient.”
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*This blog post was originally published at KevinMD.com*
April 6th, 2009 by Dr. Val Jones in Humor, True Stories
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The prospect of standing in a small booth on a cement floor for 5 days led my husband and me on a quest for cushioned shoes. We found a local department store near our hotel and proceeded to purchase what we hoped would protect us from inevetable foot and back pain.
Since I chose flat dress shoes, I also needed some knee-high stockings to prevent blisters. Hubby exhibited all of the normal male signs of discomfort as I asked him to join me in the hosiery department. He listened quietly as the sales lady walked me through the stocking “decision tree” – color, thickness, pattern, price were all part of choosing the appropriate stocking.
I navigated my way towards a sheer option without too much difficulty and was about to check out when my husband whispered quizzically in my ear,
“What’s a rain forest stocking?”
My mental cogs and wheels turned furiously as I tried to determine the correct answer.
“Honey, I have no idea what that is. Why do you ask?”
“Well, the sales lady kept asking you if you wanted sheer or rain forest stockings…”
I burst out laughing.
“Um… she was saying, ‘sheer’ or ‘reinforced’ toe stockings, I think.”
I suspect my husband will never accompany me to the hosiery department again.
