Dignidad en pacientes al final de la vida en urgencias: perspectiva de la familia / Dignity in patients at the end of their life in Emergencies: the family perspective

Objetivo: explorar y describir las experiencias de los familiares de pacientes de cuidados paliativos con respecto a la conservación y pérdida de la dignidad en la atención y cuidados al final de la vida en el Servicio de Urgencias Hospitalarias. Método: estudio cualitativo de tipo fenomenológico hermenéutico, llevado a cabo entre febrero y mayo de 2018. La población de estudio estuvo constituida por familiares de primer grado de pacientes con enfermedad terminal que habían acudido en los últimos seis meses a algún Servicio de Urgencias Hospitalarias, y que estaban siendo atendidos en el momento de realizar el estudio. Se llevaron a cabo entrevistas semiestructuradas. Muestreo intencional hasta saturación del discurso. Se realizó un análisis de contenido mediante el uso del software Atlas.ti para identificar temas emergentes. Resultados: se realizaron 12 entrevistas con familiares. El discurso giró en torno a la pérdida de dignidad. Se identificaron dos temas principales sobre la pérdida de la dignidad en la atención al final de la vida en el servicio de urgencias: problemas relacionados con el propio servicio y problemas relacionados con los profesionales del servicio. Conclusión: la dignidad de las personas en programas de cuidados paliativos que se encuentran en el servicio de urgencias se ve socavada por las propias características del servicio y por las actitudes de los profesionales en relación al trato que prestan a los pacientes. Los familiares no suelen exigir un trato diferenciado para sus seres queridos por el hecho de ser enfermos terminales, pero se quejan por la pérdida de la dignidad

Objective: to explore and describe the experiences of relatives of palliative care patients regarding the maintenance and loss of dignity in end-of-life care at the Hospital Emergency Unit. Method: a qualitative phenomenologic-hermeneutic study, conducted between February and May, 2018. The study population consisted in first-degree relatives of patients with terminal conditions who had attended some Hospital Emergency Unit during the last six months, and who were receiving care at the time of conducting the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, with intentional sampling until saturation of discourse. Content analysis was conducted using the Atlas.ti software in order to identify any emerging issues. Results: twelve (12) interviews were conducted with relatives; the discourse revolved around loss of dignity. Two main issues were identified regarding loss of dignity at end-of-life care in the Emergency Unit: problems associated with the Hospital Unit, and problems associated with the Hospital Unit professionals. Conclusion: the dignity of persons in palliative care programs using the Emergency Unit was undermined by the specific characteristics of said unit, and by the attitudes of professionals regarding care provided to patients. Relatives won't usually demand any differentiated care for their loved ones due to the fact of being terminal patients, but complain about loss of dignity

Benefits of Olive Oil Phenolic Compounds in Disease Prevention.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The preventive effects of olive oil against different diseases have been attributed to its high phenolic compound content. The objective of this study was to examine available scientific evidence on the beneficial effects against chronic diseases of olive oil phenolic compounds. METHOD: This article examines recently published data on olive oil phenolic compounds and their potential benefits in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurodegenerative disease, and osteoporosis. RESULTS: The antioxidant, anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory activities of olive oil phenolic compounds have preventive effects against heart disease and cancer. These compounds also exert neuroprotective and neuromodulator effects against neurodegenerative disease, inhibiting the development of amyloid plaques. Finally, they are known to protect against osteoporosis, favoring bone regeneration. CONCLUSION: Dietary intake of olive oil can be recommended by healthcare professionals as an important source of phenolic compounds that play a role in the prevention of chronic disease and the consequent improvement in quality of life.