The Relationship among Attitudes toward the Withdrawal of Life-sustaining Treatment, Death Anxiety, and Death Acceptance among Hospitalized Elderly Cancer Patients

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between attitudes toward the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment, death anxiety and death acceptance among hospitalized cancer patients who were at least 65 years old. METHODS: This study adopted a descriptive study design. Data were collected from 128 patients diagnosed with cancer. The instruments used were the Attitudes toward Life-sustaining Treatment Scale, Death Anxiety Scale and modified versions of the Death Attitude Profile-Revised (DAP-R) questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean score for the subjects' attitudes toward the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment was 3.48±0.50 out of 5. Death anxiety was reported at 2.53±0.54 out of 4. Death acceptance was reported at 4.10±1.20 out of 7. There was a significant negative correlation between the subjects' attitudes toward the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment and death anxiety (r=−.21, p=.018), however there was no statistically significant correlation between the subjects' attitude towards the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment and death acceptance (r=−.07, p=.462) CONCLUSION: The more positive elderly cancer patients are about the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment, the lower their death anxiety is. This finding can help nurses with patient care towards the end of life by considering the relationship between death anxiety and their attitudes toward the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment.

Reflections on end-of-life dialysis / Reflexões sobre a diálise no fim da vida

ABSTRACT The world population is aging and diseases such as diabetes mellitus and systemic arterial hypertension are increasing the risk of patients developing chronic kidney disease, leading to an increase in the prevalence of patients on dialysis. The expansion of health services has made it possible to offer dialysis treatment to an increasing number of patients. At the same time, dialysis survival has increased considerably in the last two decades. Thus, patients on dialysis are becoming more numerous, older and with greater number of comorbidities. Although dialysis maintains hydroelectrolytic and metabolic balance, in several patients this is not associated with an improvement in quality of life. Therefore, despite the high social and financial cost of dialysis, patient recovery may be only partial. In these conditions, it is necessary to evaluate the patient individually in relation to the dialysis treatment. This implies reflections on initiating, maintaining or discontinuing treatment. The multidisciplinary team involved in the care of these patients should be familiar with these aspects in order to approach the patient and his/her relatives in an ethical and humanitarian way. In this study, we discuss dialysis in the final phase of life and present a systematic way to address this dilemma.

RESUMO A população mundial está envelhecendo, e doenças como diabetes mellitus e hipertensão arterial sistêmica estão aumentando o risco de doença renal crônica, com consequente elevação na prevalência de pacientes em diálise. A expansão dos serviços de saúde permitiu oferecer tratamento dialítico para um número cada vez maior de pacientes. Paralelamente, a sobrevida em diálise aumentou consideravelmente nas últimas duas décadas. Dessa maneira, os pacientes em diálise são cada vez mais numerosos, mais idosos e com maior número de comorbidades. Embora a diálise mantenha o equilíbrio hidroeletrolítico e metabólico, em diversos pacientes isso não está associado à melhora da qualidade de vida. Então, apesar do elevado custo social e financeiro da diálise, a recuperação do paciente pode ser apenas parcial. Nessas condições, é necessário avaliar individualmente o paciente em relação ao tratamento dialítico, o que implica reflexões sobre iniciar, manter ou suspender o tratamento. A equipe multidisciplinar envolvida no cuidado desses pacientes deve estar familiarizada com esses aspectos para abordar o paciente e seus familiares de forma ética e humanitária. Neste estudo, foi discutido o tratamento dialítico na fase final da vida e apresentada uma maneira sistemática para enfrentar esse dilema.

Planificación anticipada de las decisiones en el distrito sanitario Córdoba y Guadalquivir, España / Advance planning decisions at Cordoba and Gualdaquivir Health District, Spain / Planejamento antecipado das decisões no distrito de saúde de Córdoba e Guadalquivir, Espanha

Resumen: Objetivo: Determinar el conocimiento, actitud y planificación de la voluntad vital anticipada (VVA) en Atención Primaria, e identificar factores asociados. Material/Métodos: Estudio observacional descriptivo transversal. Población diana: médicos y enfermeros adscritos a 15 Unidades de Gestión Clínica del Distrito Sanitario Córdoba-Guadalquivir (España). Muestreo: Multietápico cuya N=269. Instrumento: Cuestionario validado. Análisis estadístico: Descriptivo y bivariante de los datos obtenidos. Resultados: Edad media de los profesionales 51 años (Dt. 8,2) siendo mujeres el 60,9%. El 55,8% fueron médicos y el 79,3% propietarios. La puntuación media años de servicio fue 23,5 (Dt. 9,4). El 50,9% trabajaba en ámbito rural. La puntuación media del conocimiento fue 5,1 (Dt. 2,09). El 98,4 % considera que la VVA está regulada en Andalucía. El 56,9% no ha leído su documento y el 78,1% no ha leído la guía de planificación. El 65,6 no ubica el registro de VVA. El 89,3% no planifica en el último año; quien planifica lo hace <3 veces. El p-valor de la planificación es: (p=0,838) respecto del sexo; (p=0,521) edad; (p=0,841) ámbito de trabajo, (p=0,543) categoría profesional; (p=0,934) años de servicio; (p=0,210) tipo de contrato. Conclusiones: Pocos profesionales sanitarios planifican con el paciente la VVA, no identificándose factores independientes asociados al estudio.

Abstract: Objectives: Determine the knowledge, attitude and advance care planning in primary care and to identify associated factors. Material /Methods: Type of study: Cross-sectional multicentric study. Study population: Physicians and nurses of 15 Clinical Management Units at Cordoba-Guadalquivir Health District (Spain). Sampling: Multistage with N=269. Tools: Validated questionnaire. Analysis: Descriptive and bivariate statistical analyses were done. Results: Mean age of 51 years professional (SD 8.2) and 60.9% of them were women. About 55.8% of participants were physicians and 79.3% had permanent posts. Mean working years was 23.5 (SD 9.4) and about 50.9% of participants worked at rural areas. Mean knowledge score was 5.1 (SD 2.09). 98.4% believe early vital will is regulated in Andalusia. About 56.9% have not read the regulatory document and 78.1% have not read the planning guidebook. More than 65% don't know the corresponding registry office. 89.3% do not plan in the last year; who planned did that <3 times. The p value of planning is: (p = 0.838) about sex; (p = 0.521) age; (p = 0.841) scope of work, (p = 0.543) professional category; (p = 0.934) years of service; (p = 0.210) type of contract. Conclusions: Few medical practitioners plan with the patient. No independent study identifies factors.

Resumo: Objetivo: determinar o conhecimento, atitude e o planejamento da vontade vital antecipada (VVA) na atenção primária à saúde, e identificar fatores associados. Materiais /métodos: Estudo observacional descritivo transversal. População-alvo: médicos e enfermeiros pertencentes a 15 unidades de Gestão Clínica de Saúde do Distrito Sanitário Cordoba-Guadalquivir (Espanha). Amostragem: Multistage cujo N = 269. Instrumento: Questionário validado. Análise estatística: descritiva e bivariante dos dados obtidos. Resultados: a idade média dos profissionais é de 51 anos (DT. 8.2) sendo 60,9% a representação de mulheres. 55,8% foram médicos e 79.3% proprietários. A pontuação média foi de anos de serviço foi de 23,5 (DT. 9.4). 50,9% trabalhavam nas zonas rurais. A pontuação média de conhecimento foi de 5.1 (DT. 2.09). 98.4% considera que a VVA está regulamentada na Andaluzia. 56,9% não leu seu documento e 78,1% não leu o guia de planejamento. Os 65,6% não localizam o registro da VVA. 89,3% não planejam no último ano; quem planeja, o faz < 3 vezes. O p-valor do planejamento é: (p = 0, 838) em relação ao sexo; (p = 0, 521) idade; (p = 0, 841) âmbito de trabalho, (p = 0, 543) categoria profissional; (p = 0, 934) anos de serviço; (p = 0, 210) tipo de contrato. Conclusões: Poucos profissionais de saúde planejam a VVA com o paciente, não identificando fatores independentes associados com o estudo.

Reasons for Encounter and Health Problems Using ICPC-2 in a Rural Area with Limited Access to Advanced Care : A Retrospective Open Cohort Study / 日本プライマリ・ケア連合学会誌

<b>Introduction</b> : This study was conducted to estimate actual reasons for encounters and health problems, which is difficult to assess in a free-access system, in an area with limited access to advanced care by using the International Classification of Primary care second edition (ICPC-2).<br><b>Methods</b> : We conducted a retrospective open cohort study on an isolated island in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. We encoded reasons for encounter (RFE) and health problems of all patients using ICPC-2.<br><b>Results</b> : The total number of visits to the clinic was 5682 a year (age 0-14 years, n=862 ; age 15-64 years, n=2205 ; age 65 or older, n=2615). The top 3 RFE classified by organic systems were R (respiratory), S (skin) and L (musculoskeletal). Dementia (ICPC-2 code : P-70) was eighth in the rank of chronic health problem among elderly people. Visits due to health maintenance/prevention (ICPC-2 code : A-98) was third in the rank of new health problem among children.<br><b>Conclusion</b> : In the present study, rankings of major RFE and health problems are similar to those in previous studies. Among elderly people, however, the rank order of dementia among chronic health problems was higher than that in previous studies. In addition, among children, the rank order of health maintenance/prevention among new health problems was higher than that in previous studies.

Tecnología en un centro de quimioterapia ambulatoria y cuidado avanzado de enfermería: estudio observacional / Technology in an outpatient chemotherapy center and advanced practice nursing: observational study

Antecedentes: los cuidados de enfermería avanzados (CEA) requieren que la enfermera apoye sus conocimientos teóricos y experiencia clínica en un modelo de atención de enfermería con el objetivo de entregar cuidados holísticos e integrales según las necesidades de cada paciente. Objetivos: identificar las herramientas tecnológicas que la enfermera dispone en una unidad de quimioterapia, seleccionar una de las tecnologías específicas que utiliza y generar una propuesta para que a partir de ella, se pueda establecer cuidado avanzado. Metodología: para la recolección de datos se utilizó el método de observación no participante aplicado en un centro de quimioterapia ambulatoria de adultos. Resultados: se observó que las enfermeras utilizan correctamente las tecnologías duras disponibles en su unidad. En relación a tecnologías blandas-duras, si bien hay un conocimiento especializado en oncología, no existe un marco teórico de la disciplina asociado a los cuidados de enfermería brindados. En cuanto al uso de tecnologías blandas, éstas parecen relacionarse más a características personales que a una intervención estructurada y consciente. Conclusiones: las tecnologías son una herramienta que, junto a su expertise, permiten a la enfermera entregar cuidados seguros y eficaces. La unidad de quimioterapia es un centro donde se podrían hacer CEA. Se propone fortalecer los momentos de cuidado frente al paciente, con conocimientos propios de la disciplina a través de tres modelos de enfermería sugeridos, para poder decir que se están entregando cuidados avanzados en pacientes sometidos a quimioterapia ambulatoria.

Background. Advanced practice nursing (APN) requires nurses to support their knowledge and clinical experience in a nursing care model that delivers holistic and comprehensive care adjusted to the needs of each patient. Objetives. To identify the technological tools available to nurses in a chemotherapy unit, to select one of the specific technologies used and to generate a proposal that can be used in advanced practice. Methods. Data was collected using non-participant observation in an adult outpatient chemotherapy unit. Results. It was observed that nurses properly used hard technologies in their unit. In so far as hard-soft technologies, although there is a specialized knowledge in oncology, there is no theoretical framework associated to the nursing care provided. With regards to the use of soft technologies, their use seems to be related more with personal characteristics that a structured and conscious intervention. Conclusions. Technologies are tools that, coupled with nursing expertise, allow nurses to provide safe and effective care. The chemotherapy unit is a center where APN could be conducted. This study proposes enhancing patient-oriented care based on the knowledge of the discipline as expressed in three different models that are suggested, thus making it possible to state that advanced practice nursing is being provided to patients undergoing ambulatory chemotherapy.