Good care of the dying patient
Article Abstract:
The Council on Scientific Affairs of the American Medical Association recommends that more research be done on the needs of people who are dying and that insurance companies reimburse end-of-life care. Symptoms experienced at the end of life include pain, depression, a decline in intellectual ability, skin breakdown, constipation, nausea and itching. Dying people are also concerned about losing control and being a burden to their families. There is little research on the needs of the dying and how they can best be cared for. With the exception of Medicare, most insurers do not cover end-of-life treatments such as pain management, spiritual counseling and family support. Evaluating end-of-life treatments means dying people will have to be enrolled in clinical trials, which could present great difficulties. It is likely that proper care of the dying will require fundamental changes in the present health care system.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1996
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How Gravely Ill Becomes Dying: A Key to End-of-Life Care
Article Abstract:
Many seriously ill patients naturally do not want to die but it may be difficult for doctors to estimate their prognosis. A 1999 study found that several models that supposedly predict which patients would die within 6 months were not accurate. Patients whose likelihood of surviving 6 months was estimated to be 10% or less had an actual 6-month survival of 41%. In other words, the sickest patients are not always the first to die. Doctors can give their best guess at the patient's prognosis and focus on providing palliative treatment.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1999
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