A Survey on Palliative Care Practices of Healthcare Professionals in an Acute Care Hospital

Objective: This study intended to clarify whether healthcare professionals provide palliative care and the factors associated with such care. Methods: An anonymous self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted of healthcare professionals in in an acute care hospital in order to investigate their practice and understanding of palliative care as well as their personal attributes. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with their palliative care practice. Results: 605 of 955 respondents (response rate: 63%) answered. Twenty-three percent of all respondents answered that they were involved in palliative care practice. A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed understanding the concept and practical components of palliative care, including the functions of palliative care, differences between primary and specialized palliative care, and advance care planning, were factors associated with palliative care practice. Conclusion: Palliative care specialists should provide the educational support for healthcare professionals to enable them to deepen their understanding of palliative care. Such support from the palliative care specialist may promote the health care professionals’ awareness of their own roles in palliative care.

Características faciales y oclusales en niños con hábitos bucales / Occlusal and facial features in childrenwith oral habits

Fueron analizadas asociaciones entre tipos faciales, características oclusales y hábitos bucales. La muestra consistió de 1.923 escolares de 8 a 12 años (959 niñas, 964 niños) de Campo Grande, MS-Brasil. Comparaciones entre las características evaluadas según los hábitos fueron realizadas por testes de proporción e Chi-cuadrado (a = 5%). La prevalencia de hábitos fue de 37,4%. Hubo diferencia entre géneros, 55% (femenino) y 45% (masculino). Las mayores prevalencias fueron verificadas en el grupo de 8 años (32%) y en los colegios particulares (40,9%). Oñicofagia fue el más prevalente (71,7%), seguida por succión digital (9,7%) e interposición lingual (6,4%). En la mayoría de los grupos de hábitos, se observaron elevadas frecuencias de simetría facial (81-100%). En los que hacían succión digital, los tipos dolicofacial (46%) y mesofacial (43%) fueron significativamente más prevalentes, así como en los que presentaban interposición lingual, con respectivos porcentajes de 54% e 39%. De los portadores de hábitos, 76,9% tenían competencia labial. Las prevalencias de perfil convexo fueron significantemente más altas en los grupos de interposición lingual (85%), succión digital (83%) y oñicofagia (77%). En ellos, las prevalencias de overjet (52%) y trepase vertical (45%) normales fueron significativamente elevadas; sin embargo, en los alumnos con interposición lingual, la mordida abierta anterior fue la más prevalente (67%). La mordida cruzada posterior no fue asociada a los hábitos. A pesar del histórico de hábitos en 720 escolares, hubo asociación con simetría facial, tipos dolicofacial y mesofacial, competencia labial y perfil convexo. No se observó el predominio de maloclusiones.

Associations among facial types, occlusal features and oral habits were analyzed. The sample consisted of 1,923 students aged 8 to 12 years old (959 girls, 964 boys) from Campo Grande, MS-Brazil. Comparisons among the studied characteristics, which were evaluated according to the habits, were carried out using ratio and Chi-square tests (a = 5%). The prevalence of oral habits was 37.4%. There was a difference between genders: 55% for females and 45% for males. The highest prevalence was observed in the group of eight-year-olds (32%) and in private schools (40.9%). Nail biting was the most prevalent habit (71.7%), followed by digit-sucking (9.7%) and tongue thrusting (6.4%). In most of the habit groups, high frequencies of facial symmetry were observed (81-100%). In those who had digit-sucking habit, dolichofacial (46%) and mesofacial (43%) patterns were significantly more prevalent, as well as in those which presented tongue thrusting, with percentages of 54% and 39%, respectively. Of the habit holders, 76.9% presented lip competence. The prevalence of convex profile was significantly higher in the groups of tongue thrusting (85%), digit-sucking (83%) and nail biting (77%). In those students, frequencies of normal overjet (52%) and overbite (45%) were significantly great; but, in the group with tongue thrusting, anterior open bite was the most prevalent feature (67%). Posterior crossbite was not associated with the habits. Despite the history of habits in 720 students, there was an association with the facial symmetry, dolichofacial and mesofacial patterns, lip competence and convex profile. Malocclusions predominance was not observed.

Advantages of a shared database on conference and ward round performed by the palliative care team

<b>Purpose</b>: We developed a database that can be shared by the members of our palliative care team (PCT) before the conference and ward round (CR) to make these activities more efficient. <b>Methods</b>: The database was developed using Microsoft Access®. The condition of patients was evaluated using a Japanese version of the Support Team Assessment Schedule (STAS-J). The database allows any member of the team to input patient information. We also developed a form that allows us not only to share the information but to continuously observe the progress of the patients. To evaluate the advantages of the database on CR, we compared the number of patients observed in one CR and the number of CR's per patient before and after the introduction of the database. <b>Results</b>: The number of patients observed in one CR and the number of CR's per patient were significantly increased after the introduction of the database. <b>Conclusion</b>: The database had positive effects on CR by making the patient information available in advance and by allowing continuous evaluation of patients. Palliat Care Res 2011; 6(1): 209-215