ABSTRACT
The aim of this study is to clarify the diet and complementary and alternative medicine among terminal cancer patients followed at home. A cross-sectional survey of bereaved families of 200 cancer patients who were received home care by 5 palliative care clinics in Kobe in 2014. The response rate was 66％. The average age of the patients was 74 years old. The family members received the information about diets from books, magazines, and newspaper（48％）and medical staff（46％）. The patients actively took in tea（64％）, dairy（62％）, and soy（60％）. The patient avoided alcohol（49％）, fat（31％）, and salt（31％）. The question asking the complementary and alternative medicine（CAM）, 32％ respondents answered using CAM, of which 28％ took mineral supplements, and vitamins. Due to the paucity of the evidence about the diet and CAM for cancer patients, the patient and family tend to practice the general diet therapy.
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to investigate the end of life care provided by long-term care facilities and nursing homes. A cross-sectional survey of all long-term care facilities and nursing homes in Kobe was performed in July 2013. Questionnaires were sent to 350 facilities with an 89.7％ response rate. In total, 121（39％）of respondents stated that end of life care was available, and 151（48％）responded that facilities were willing to provide end of life care for terminally ill residents. One hundred fifty-two（48％）and 183（58％）of respondents answered that facilities were available for managing residents with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, and transfusion, respectively. Seventy-two（23％）of respondents reported that facilities for managing the use of narcotics were available. In conclusion, a minority of long-term care facilities and nursing homes ware available for providing end of life care for residents, though approximately 50％ were willing to do so.
ABSTRACT
<b>Objective：</b>The aim of this study was to investigate the current status of home care provided by hospitals and clinics in Kobe City. <b>Methods：</b>In July 2013 a survey was mailed to a cross-section of all clinics and hospitals in Kobe City.<b> Results：</b>Questionnaires were sent to 1,589 clinics and hospitals and 899（57％）responded. Regular and urgent home visits by doctors were provided by 50％ and 65％ of respondents, respectively. End-of-life care for dying patients at home and in nursing homes was provided by 31％ and 18％ of respondents, respectively. The average time spent on home visits was 2.3±1.7 days per week. Care for cancer patients, participation in national palliative care lectures, and holding a discussion at the admitting hospital before discharge for home care, were performed by 23％, 7.0％, and 6.9％ of respondents, respectively. <b>Conclusion：</b>The majority of hospitals and clinics in Kobe City provided home care.
ABSTRACT
<b>Objective</b>: The aim of this study is to explore the factors associated with the burden of home care for doctors. <b>Methods</b>: In July 2013 a survey was mailed to a cross-section of clinics and hospitals in Kobe City. <b>Results</b>: Questionnaires were sent to 1,589 clinics and hospitals and 899 (57%) responded. Of these, data from 807 respondents were available for analysis. The burden of home care was felt to be considerable for 30% and slight for 31% of respondents. Determinants associated with the burden of home care were; 80 years and older doctors (<i>P</i>=0.05), particular medical measures (<i>P</i>=0.036), building links with other medical facility or care staff (<i>P</i>=0.002), and ensuring the sufficient time and staff (<i>P</i><0.001). <b>Conclusion</b>: The majority of doctors reported a burden associated with home care.