International journal of palliative nursing最新文献

Background: Loss of appetite is a prevalent issue in palliative care, often diminishing people's quality of life and emotional wellbeing. Virtual reality (VR) presents new avenues for delivering emotionally meaningful and multisensory experiences that may help address this challenge.

Aim: This pilot study examined the feasibility and emotional effects of a VR-based gastronomic tourism intervention, with a focus on appetite stimulation, food enjoyment and perceived sensory enhancement. The study aimed to explore its potential application in clinical trials involving patients receiving end-of-life care.

Methods: Six healthy university students took part in this preliminary study to evaluate the intervention protocol prior to clinical implementation. Each participant recorded a first-person video of a personalised noodle meal and 1 week later, they re-experienced their own dining footage via a head-mounted VR display while consuming an instant version of the same meal. Appetite and emotional responses were assessed using self-report questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Qualitative data were analysed thematically.

Results: Participants generally reported enhanced appetite, greater enjoyment of food and immersive engagement during the VR session. Thematic analysis revealed two consistent patterns: (1) heightened sensory perception, including perceived increases in flavour intensity and temperature, and (2) mixed usability experiences, with some participants noting minor discomfort such as dizziness or reduced food visibility. No adverse physiological reactions were observed.

Conclusion: Findings suggest that VR-based gastronomic tourism experiences are feasible and may enhance both the sensory and emotional dimensions of eating. Although responses varied between individuals, the intervention holds promise for future application in clinical or palliative care contexts, particularly with adjustments to improve usability and personalisation.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditional hospice care, prompting the use of telehospice to deliver end-of-life services remotely while maintaining quality and continuity of care.

Aim: This integrative review examines the feasibility, effectiveness and challenges of telehospice during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on patient outcomes and caregiver experiences.

Method: An integrative review approach was used to analyse 12 peer-reviewed studies published between January 2020 and June 2023.

Findings: Telehospice enhanced access to care in rural and underserved areas, enabled timely symptom management and strengthened interdisciplinary collaboration. Families reported improved communication, emotional support and involvement in decision-making. However, challenges to telehospice care such as limited internet access, digital literacy gaps and difficulties replicating the intimacy of in-person care were frequently noted.

Conclusion: Telehospice is a feasible and acceptable model for end-of-life care. Ongoing investment in infrastructure, training and equitable access is essential for long-term integration.

Background: Supportive care needs may increase in women with metastatic breast cancers concerning disease burden. The study's purpose was to determine the supportive care needs of women with metastatic breast cancer. The study was conducted in a cross-sectional design between January and December 2022. The sample of the study consisted of 92 women with metastatic breast cancer who met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected using the Individual Descriptive Information Form and the Supportive Care Needs Scale. A significant majority of the women with metastatic breast cancer reported having supportive care needs. The participants' supportive care needs were as follows: 93.5% for physical and daily life, 88% for spiritual/psychological needs, 86% for healthcare system and information, 56.5% for sexuality and 43.5% for patient care and support. This study determined the supportive care needs of women with metastatic breast cancer and revealed that the majority of patients have support needs related to physical, psychological, access to information, sexuality and patient care. The findings emphasise the necessity for individualised care processes and the importance of nurses taking an active role in symptom management, psychological support and information services. The effectiveness of digital health solutions and multidisciplinary care approaches should be investigated to ensure the creation of evidence-based health policies. It is recommended that future studies evaluate the changing care needs of patients in the long term, thereby contributing to the development of evidence-based health policies.

Background: Globally, engaging in advance care planning (ACP) conversations to arrange end-of-life preferences is advocated as a public health issue. Most research on this issue has focused on the general public rather than distinct diaspora/migrant groups. There is evidence to suggest poor end-of-life outcomes are experienced by the Chinese diaspora, but there is a lack of research on their understanding and engagement with ACP.

Aims: To explore understanding, experience and views on ACP among members of the Northern Ireland Chinese community.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were held with 17 purposively selected participants connected to voluntary Chinese organisations in Northern Ireland. The interviews were translated and subject to thematic analysis.

Findings: Three primary themes were identified: (1) 'Awareness of ACP', (2) 'Cross-cultural influences', and (3) 'Engagement with ACP'. Findings indicated a low level of Chinese diaspora awareness regarding ACP, with misconceptions commonly reported. Traditional Chinese cultures such as filial piety, the role of authority and links to native country were found to be important factors, that influenced awareness, understanding and engagement in ACP. These findings have implications for nurses engaging in ACP conversations.

Conclusion: Evidence indicates the need for public health interventions to be cognisant of differing diaspora groups within society. Results suggest that cultural influences play a role in the understanding and engagement with ACP. The importance of the diaspora identity should be considered when initiating and engaging in ACP conversations, alongside the need for culturally appropriate approaches to ensure equitable access and engagement with ACP.

Synopses of a selection of recently published research articles of relevance to palliative care.

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly applied to palliative care to enhance symptom management and decision support. However, the breadth and implementation strategies of such technologies remain underexplored.

Aim/objectives: This scoping review aimed to map empirical studies from 2015 to 2025 that used AI for symptom assessment, mortality prediction and care planning in palliative settings.

Methods: The review followed Arksey and O'Malley's five-stage framework for scoping reviews and was reported according to PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Included studies were appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool.

Results: A total of 12 peer-reviewed studies were included, revealing five major themes: (1) Predictive modeling for mortality and referral, enabling early identification of high-risk patients; (2) Automated symptom detection, improving distress surveillance via NLP and decision trees; (3) Wearable and time-series forecasting, allowing real-time physiologic tracking; (4) Workflow integration, demonstrating seamless adoption of AI tools in clinical systems; and (5) Explainability and trust, where interpretable outputs enhanced clinician confidence. These studies showed improved symptom control, timely referrals and interdisciplinary coordination.

Conclusion: AI offers promising solutions to enhance palliative nursing through proactive, data-driven care. Ethical implementation, training, and validation are key to sustainable adoption.

Background: Nursing documentation within electronic medical records (EMRs) is crucial in paediatric palliative care.

Methods: A scoping review was conducted to assess the state of nursing documentation in EMRs following Arksey and O'Malley's framework and Joanna Briggs Institute methodology.

Results: Out of 1723 records, six studies were included. Electronic nursing documentation was used to record basic assessments, medication management, wound care management, catheters and devices management. EMRs should be simple to use, text searchable and have specific places for specific documentation. The participation of end users in development could make the system more efficient and complete.

Conclusion: Electronic nursing documentation in paediatric palliative care signifies a notable evolution from traditional paper methods. Future research is essential to ascertain electronic nursing documentation needs, leverage technology advancements and explore artificial intelligence integration possibilities.

Aim: Assess the impact of an educational programme on nursing students' knowledge and attitudes toward the monkeypox pandemic and the necessity for palliative care.

Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted which involved 250 nursing students at Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University. A standardised, anonymous and closed-ended questionnaire about monkeypox was completed by the participants. Furthermore, a questionnaire to assess nursing students' knowledge of and attitude towards palliative care was also completed.

Results: Overall, the intervention group showed significantly higher scores than the control group in both knowledge of and attitudes towards monkeypox and palliative care. For monkeypox, the control group had a knowledge score of 45.43±6.29, while the intervention group scored 65.03±2.93. Attitude scores were 55.67±19 in the control group and 60.24±1.52 in the intervention group. For palliative care, the control group's knowledge score was 48.62±4.78, compared to 70.65±5.13 in the intervention group, and attitude scores were 34.12±25 versus 46.89±7.8, respectively.

Conclusion: Following implementation of the educational programme, there was an improvement in total knowledge and attitudes scores of the nursing students regarding the monkeypox pandemic and the palliative care required for patients.