• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.149-159
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• 2023

The Spiritual Care Guide in HospiceㆍPalliative Care is evidence-based and focuses on the universal and integral aspects of human spirituality-such as meaning and purpose, interconnectedness, and transcendence-which go beyond any specific religion. This guide was crafted to improve the spiritual well-being of adult patients aged 19 and older, as well as their families, who are receiving end-of-life care. The provision of spiritual care in hospice and palliative settings aims to assist patients and their families in finding life's meaning and purpose, restoring love and relationships, and helping them come to terms with death while maintaining hope. It is recommended that spiritual needs and the interventions provided are periodically reassessed and evaluated, with the findings recorded. Additionally, hospice and palliative care teams are encouraged to pursue ongoing education and training in spiritual care. Although challenges exist in universally applying this guide across all hospice and palliative care organizations in Korea-due to varying resources and the specific environments of medical institutions-it is significant that the Korean Society for Hospice and Palliative Care has introduced a spiritual care guide poised to enhance the spiritual well-being and quality of care for hospice and palliative care patients.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.160-170
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• 2023

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of death anxiety and perceived end-of-life care competencies on the fear of terminal care among clinical nurses. Methods: This correlational study was conducted from June to July 2021. The study included 149 clinical nurses employed at a tertiary hospital and seven other hospitals. The measurement tools used in this study were the Thanatophobia Scale (Cronbach's α=0.87), the Death Anxiety Scale (Cronbach's α=0.80), and the Scale of End-of-life Care Competencies (Cronbach's α=0.94). These instruments were chosen to assess the levels of fear of terminal care, death-related anxiety, and competencies in end-of-life care. Results: The mean score for fear of terminal care was 3.32±1.32. Differences in fear of terminal care were observed based on the working unit, position, number of patients requiring terminal care, and experience with end-of-life care education. Fear of terminal care was significantly positively correlated with death anxiety and significantly negatively correlated with end-of-life care competencies. In multiple regression analysis, the factors influencing fear of terminal care were attitudes toward end-of-life care competencies (𝛽=-0.39, P<0.001), death anxiety (𝛽=0.24, P<0.001), knowledge of end-of-life care competencies (𝛽=-0.22, P=0.005), and behaviors related to end-of-life care competencies (𝛽=-0.16, P=0.021). These factors explained 64.6% of the total variance (F=25.54, P<0.001). Conclusion: This study suggests that developing nurses' end-of-life care competencies and reducing death anxiety are crucial for managing the fear of terminal care. Therefore, providing end-of-life care education and psychological support programs is important.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.185-189
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• 2023

Purpose: Limited research has been conducted on the prevalence of non-medical opioid use (NMOU) in Korean cancer patients who have received prescription opioids (PO). This study aimed to identify the potential proportion of NMOU in cancer patients who had been prescribed opioids in Korea. Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted on 14,728 patients who underwent cancer-related treatment between January 2009 and December 2019, using electronically collected data from a tertiary hospital in Korea. Information regarding the type and duration of opioid use was gathered. A detailed review of medical charts was carried out, focusing on patients who had been prescribed opioids for over 60 days beyond a 12-month period following the completion of their cancer treatment (long-term PO users). Results: Out of the 5,587 patients who were prescribed PO and followed up for at least 12 months, 13 cases of NMOU were identified, representing 0.23% of the patient population. Among the 204 long-term PO users, the rate was 6.37% (13/204). The most commonly misused opioids were oxycodone and fentanyl. For the group confirmed to have NMOU, the median duration of prescription was 1,327 days in total. Of the 13 patients diagnosed with NMOU, 9 reported withdrawal symptoms, 3 exhibited craving behavior for opioids, and 1 experienced both symptoms. Conclusion: This study found that 0.23% of cancer patients who had been prescribed opioids in Korea demonstrated NMOU. Despite this relatively low rate, careful monitoring is necessary to minimize the risk of NMOU in this population, especially among long-term PO users.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.64-76
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• 2024

Purpose: End-of-life (EOL) care is a vulnerable period in an individual's life. Healthcare professionals (HPs) strive to balance the preservation of human life with respect for the patient's wishes. The aims of our study were to assess HPs' knowledge and perceptions of EOL care and to propose areas of improvement to improve the quality of care. Methods: We conducted a single-center, cross-sectional study involving HPs from a university hospital who encountered EOL care situations. We used a questionnaire divided into four sections: knowledge, practice, perception, and training. We calculated the rate of correct answers and the collective competence index. Results: Eighty-six questionnaires were analyzed, with 82.5% (71/86) completed by medical respondents and 17.5% (15/86) by paramedical respondents. Most of the respondents, 71.8% (51/71), were interns and residents. The study focused on palliative care, medical assistance in dying, aggressive medical treatment, and euthanasia, finding adequate knowledge in the first three areas. Respondents assigned to the intensive care unit and those with more than 8 years of experience had significantly higher correct answer rates than their counterparts. Seventy-five percent of respondents (65/86) reported feeling that they had little or no mastery of EOL care, primarily attributing this to insufficient training and the unavailability of trainers. Conclusion: Based on the findings of our study, which we believe to be the first of its kind in Tunisia, we can conclude that HPs possess an acceptable level of knowledge regarding EOL care. However, they require more exposure and training to develop expertise in this area.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.1-10
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• 2024

This article underscores the importance of integrating comprehensive palliative care for noncancer patients who are undergoing hemodialysis, with an emphasis on the aging populations in Asian nations such as Taiwan, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and China. As the global demographic landscape shifts towards an aging society and healthcare continues to advance, a marked increase has been observed in patients undergoing hemodialysis who require palliative care. This necessitates an immediate paradigm shift to incorporate this care, addressing the intricate physical, psychosocial, and spiritual challenges faced by these individuals and their families. Numerous challenges impede the provision of effective palliative care, including difficulties in prognosis, delayed referrals, cultural misconceptions, lack of clinician confidence, and insufficient collaboration among healthcare professionals. The article proposes potential solutions, such as targeted training for clinicians, the use of telemedicine to facilitate shared decision-making, and the introduction of time-limited trials for dialysis to overcome these obstacles. The integration of palliative care into routine renal treatment and the promotion of transparent communication among healthcare professionals represent key strategies to enhance the quality of life and end-of-life care for people on hemodialysis. By embracing innovative strategies and fostering collaboration, healthcare providers can deliver more patient-centered, holistic care that meets the complex needs of seriously ill patients within an aging population undergoing hemodialysis.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.11-20
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• 2024

Purpose: Advance directives (ADs) are legal documents that outline a person's preferences or decisions regarding end-of-life care ahead of time. In Korea, there is insufficient awareness and knowledge about ADs among patients undergoing hemodialysis. This study explored the relationship between perceptions of a good death, knowledge about ADs, and attitudes toward ADs in this patient population. Methods: This cross-sectional survey enrolled 119 hemodialysis patients from a secondary hospital in 2021. The participants completed a self-administered questionnaire, and the data were analyzed using the t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficients, Spearman rank correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis. Results: The average score for perceptions of a good death among hemodialysis patients was 2.80 out of 4, with clinical symptoms identified as the most critical factor. The average scores for knowledge about ADs and attitudes toward ADs were 5.69 out of 9 and 2.79 out of 4, respectively. There was a positive correlation between perceptions of a good death and attitudes toward ADs (r=0.34, P<0.001), as well as between knowledge about Ads and attitudes toward ADs (r=0.19, P=0.037). Factors influencing attitudes toward Ads included employment status (β=0.22, P=0.011), education level (β=0.22, P=0.013), and perceptions of a good death (β=0.29, P=0.001), which accounted for 24.8% of the variance in attitudes toward ADs. Conclusion: A positive perception of a good death among patients undergoing hemodialysis was associated with a positive attitude toward ADs. Educational programs are needed to improve individuals' understanding of a good death and encourage the development of end-of-life care plans.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.175-182
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• 2013

목적: 말기암환자의 영성은 호스피스완화의료에서 중요하게 고려되어야 할 영역이지만 아직 이에 대한 연구자료가 부족하다. 따라서 이번 연구에서는 호스피스 병동에 입원해 있는 말기 암환자들을 대상으로 영적 안녕과 통증, 불안 및 우울과의 연관성에 대하여 살펴보았다. 방법: 서울소재 일개 대학병원에 입원해 있는 환자를 대상으로 연구자와 연구간호사가 연구에 동의한 50명의 환자에게 자기 기입식 설문지를 배부하는 방법으로 설문을 시행하였다. 영적 안녕지수의 측정은 Functional Assessment of Chronic-Illness Therapy-Spirituality (FACIT-Sp)의 영적 상태 12문항을 이용하였으며 병원 우울불안지수는 Hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), 통증지수의 측정은 BPI-K를 이용하였다. 수집된 자료는 Spearmans' rank test, T-test, univariate and multivariate regression analysis를 이용하여 분석하였다. 결과: 영적 안녕은 평균 통증 강도(r=-0.283, P<0.05), 불안 하부척도(HADS-A)(r=-0.613, P<0.05), 우울 하부척도(HADS-D)(r=-0.526, P<0.05)와 상관관계를 보였다. 다른 변수들의 영향을 보정한 뒤에도 영적 안녕은 종교유무(OR=9.193, 95% CI=4.158~14.229, P<0.001)와 불안하부척도(OR=-1.03, 95% CI=-1.657~-0.403, P=0.002)와 유의한 상관관계를 보였다. 결론: 말기암환자의 영적 안녕감은 통증, 우울, 불안 점수와 유의한 상관관계를 가졌으며 종교가 있고 우울지수가 낮은 경우 영적 안녕감의 증가와 유의한 상관관계를 가졌다. 추후 전향적 연구를 통한 영적 말기암환자의 영적 중재 및 영적 지지에 대한 노력이 필요할 것으로 생각된다.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• 제10권3호
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• pp.145-153
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• 2007

목적: 본 연구는 약 15년간의 우리나라 호스피스 연구의 총체적인 주제와 경향을 확인함으로써 추후 호스피스 연구의 방향을 제시하고자 실시되었다. 방법: 1991년 1월부터 2004년 7월까지의 우리나라 박사학위논문 7편, 석사학위논문 44편과 호스피스와 관련된 논문이 주로 수록되는 분야별 간호학회지, 의학회지, 호스피스 학회지, 호스피스 협회 학술지, 호스피스 연구소 논문집의 논문에서 호스피스와 관련된 개념이 제시된 논문 59편으로 총 110편을 목록화하여 분석하였다. 분석은 연구 발표년도, 연구설계, 연구대상, 상관관계 연구, 조사연구, 실험연구, 질적 연구, 측정도구 별로 분류하여 분석하였다. 결과: 2000년 이후의 논문이 52편으로 2000년 이후부터 본격적으로 호스피스 논문이 증가하였음을 알 수 있다. 학회지에 발표한 논문으로는 한국 호스피스 완화 의료학회지가 16편으로 가장 많았고, 질적 연구는 13편으로 다소 적은 편수였다. 연구대상별로 살펴보면, 사람을 대상으로 한 연구가 98편으로 가장 많았고, 이 중 말기환자를 대상으로 한 연구가 44편으로 나타났다. 결론: 분석 결과 향후에는 호스피스 간호이론의 기초 정립을 위한 양적방법론에 근거한 서술적 연구와 질적 연구가 더욱 많이 행해져야 할 것이며, 호스피스 간호 중재의 효과를 확인하는 실험연구를 통하여 간호중재의 효율성을 입증하는 연구도 필요한 것으로 생각된다.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.28-33
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• 2011

목적: 임박사건(impending event)에 대한 인지는 보호자와의 보다 효과적인 의사소통을 위해 필요할 뿐 아니라, 임종실로 옮기는 시점을 결정하는데 있어서 매우 중요하다. 이 주제에 대한 지금까지의 연구는 대부분 임종 48시간을 전후한 시점에서 이미 '발생되어 있는' 증상의 나열에 불과하였다. 이에 '변화'의 시점에서 사망까지의 시간을 기준으로 하여 임박사건 간 48시간 이내 임종예측도를 비교하였다. 방법: 인천소재 완화의료병동에서 임종을 맞이한 160명의 환자 중 임종 전 일주일 동안의 의무기록이 있는 80명을 대상으로 하였다. 환자 및 보호자가 호소하는 주관적 증상 9가지와 의료인에 의해 관찰되는 객관적 징후 8가지를 선정하고 각 항목에 대한 '의미 있는 변화'의 기준을 사전에 정하였다. 결과: 증상에서는 수면량의 증가(53.8%), 징후에서는 혈압의 감소(87.5%)가 가장 높은 발생빈도를 보였다. 임종까지의 평균시간은 증상의 경우 안정 시 호흡곤란(46.8시간)이, 징후의 경우 산소포화도의 감소(13.6시간)와 혈압의 감소(36.9시간)가 48시간 이내였다. 48시간 임박사건으로서의 예측도는 증상의 경우, 양성예측도는 안정 시 호흡곤란이 가장 높았고(83%) 음성예측도는 안정 시 호흡곤란과 의식혼탁/섬망의 조합이 가장 높았으며(86%), 징후의 경우 양성 예측도는 모두 95% 이상이었고 음성예측도는 혈압의 감소와 산소포화도 감소의 조합에서 가장 높았다(60%). 증상과 징후의 발생양상은 유의한 차이를 보였다. 결론: 증상에서는 안정 시 호흡곤란과 의식혼탁/섬망이, 징후에서는 산소포화도나 혈압의 감소가 임종임박을 예측하는데 가장 유용한 임상지표로 생각된다.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.241-247
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• 2014

목적: 혈청 비타민 C 수치는 체내 항산화상태를 나타내는 지표로서, 암환자에서는 정상인에 비해 감소되어 있다. 하지만, 이 지표가 말기암환자에서 어느 정도 감소되어 있고, 그 감소에 어떤 요인들이 관련되는지에 대한 연구는 매우 드물다. 방법: 두 개 기관의 완화의료병동에 입원했던 암환자 65명을 대상으로 하였다. 환자의 나이, 성별, 암의 종류, 기능상태, 임상증상, 완치 목적의 암 치료력, 그리고 혈청 비타민 C를 포함한 혈액검사 자료를 수집하였다. 혈청 비타민 C 수치의 사분위수를 기준으로 두 군(3사분위수 이하 vs. 4 사분위수)으로 분류한 후 각 군의 차이를 비교하였고, 단계적 다중 로지스틱 회귀분석을 통해 혈청 비타민 C 수치와 관련된 인자를 확인하였다. 결과: 대상자의 혈청 비타민 C의 평균은 $0.44{\mu}g/mL$이었으며, 대상자 전체가 비타민 C 결핍에 해당되었다. 단변량 분석에서는, 비폐암 환자이거나(P=0.041) 발열이 있는 환자(P=0.034)에서 낮은 혈청 비타민 C 수치를 보였다. 폐암, 발열, 삼킴곤란, 호흡곤란, C 반응단백, 그리고 항암화학요법 등의 잠재적인 인자들을 보정한 다변량 분석에서, 낮은 혈청 비타민 C 수치를 나타낼 가능성은 항암화학요법을 받은 군에서 그렇지 않은 군에 비해 3.7배 높았고(P=0.046), 발열이 있는 군에서 그렇지 않은 군에 비해 7.22배 높았다(P=0.020). 결론: 말기암환자에서 비타민 C 부족은 매우 심각하였고, 항암화학요법 치료력과 발열이 관련 있었다.