• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.188-192
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• 2012

Palliative medicine has shown demonstrated benefit for patients with serious illness, their families, and hospital systems. As such, the demand for palliative care services is growing at a fast pace, and health care facilities frequently struggle to develop and implement effective and sustainable methods of providing this care. As with any new system, challenges and barriers naturally exist to instituting palliative care. Undertaking careful assessment, planning, and resource allocation can provide the greatest likelihood of success when developing these novel yet much needed models of care. This summary paper offers a qualitative overview of the potential benefits and the rationale to implement robust palliative care systems. We briefly review the history of palliative medicine in the broadest sense and address several seminal works from the US palliative care literature. Core practices to establish and advance palliative medicine are suggested. Commentary is provided on some of the particular barriers to palliative system development that may need to be addressed in the context of Korean medical culture. Collectively, we hope this overview can contribute to a framework within which such research and development can occur, leading to increasingly effective and sustainable palliative medicine in Korea.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.45-49
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• 2024

Purpose: This study investigated palliative care physicians' attitudes regarding social issues related to opioid use. Methods: An email survey was sent to 674 physicians who were members of the Korean Society for Hospice and Palliative Care (KSHPC). Results: Data from 66 physicians were analyzed (response rate, 9.8%). About 70% of participants stated that their prescribing patterns were not influenced by social issues related to opioid use, and 90% of participants thought that additional regulations should be limited to non-cancer pain. Under the current circumstances, pain education for physicians is urgently needed, as well as increased awareness among the public. Half of the respondents identified the KSHPC as the primary organization responsible for providing pain education. Conclusion: Palliative care physicians' prescribing patterns were not influenced by social issues related to opioid use, and these issues also should not affect cancer pain control.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.1-6
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• 2023

This paper aimed to summarize the current situation of prognostication for patients with an expected survival of weeks or months, and to clarify future research priorities. Prognostic information is essential for patients, their families, and medical professionals to make end-of-life decisions. The clinician's prediction of survival is often used, but this may be inaccurate and optimistic. Many prognostic tools, such as the Palliative Performance Scale, Palliative Prognostic Index, Palliative Prognostic Score, and Prognosis in Palliative Care Study, have been developed and validated to reduce the inaccuracy of the clinician's prediction of survival. To date, there is no consensus on the most appropriate method of comparing tools that use different formats to predict survival. Therefore, the feasibility of using prognostic scales in clinical practice and the information wanted by the end users can determine the appropriate prognostic tool to use. We propose four major themes for further prognostication research: (1) functional prognosis, (2) outcomes of prognostic communication, (3) artificial intelligence, and (4) education for clinicians.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.166-173
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• 2019

목적: 높은 수준의 호스피스 및 완화의료 교육은 한국 의과대학 교육과정에 필요하다. 하지만 이와 연관된 연구는 많지 않은 실정이며 이에 본 연구는 호스피스와 완화의료 교육 과정을 마친 의과 대학생의 호스피스와 완화의료에 대한 인지 및 태도 변화를 연구하기 위해 수행 되었다. 또한 의과대학의 기본 교육 과정 안에서 호스피스 교육과정의 역할에 대해서도 탐구하고자 한다. 방법: 호스피스와 완화의학에 대한 통합적인 교육과정을 마친 총 76명의 의학과 4학년 학생이 자기 기입 형태의 설문조사에 참여 하였다. 교육 과정을 마친 후 수업 전과 비교하여 수업 후의 후의 호스피스 및 완화의료에 대한 지식과 태도를 조사하였다. 결과: 교육 과정을 이수한 이후 가장 큰 변화는 호스피스 및 완화의료 세팅에서 적절한 마약성 진통제를 사용할 수 있는가 하는 부분에서 나타났다(3.50점 vs 5.32 점; P≤0.001). 수업 전과 비교하여 수업 이후 호스피스와 완화의료에 대한 태도를 나타내는 질문인 "나는 호스피스와 완화의료의 목표와 역할을 바르게 알고 있다"고 답한 학생은 17명(22.4%)에서 65명(85.6%)으로 증가하였다. 또한 "예비의사로서 나는 호스피스와 완화의료의 바른 적용 시점을 알고 있다"고 답한 학생은 수업 전의 22명(28.9%)과 비교하여 65명(85.6%)으로 증가하였다. 결론: 통합적인 호스피스 완화의료 교육과정은 의과 대학생의 호스피스 및 완화의료에 대한 인식과 태도를 긍정적인 방향으로 변화시킬 수 있다.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.70-75
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• 2016

완치가 불가능한 진행성 암환자에게 시행되는 완화적 항암치료의 목표는 생명연장과 삶의 질 향상이다. 그러나 완화적 항암치료는 상당한 독성을 가질 수도 있기 때문에 의사는 항암제 투여의 중단시점에 대해, 특히 생의 마지막 몇 달 내 기간에는, 항상 지속적으로 평가해야 한다. 완화적 항암치료를 중단하는 분명한 권고안은 없지만 진행성 암환자 돌봄의 질 향상을 위해 해결해야 할 쟁점이다. 저자는 완화적 항암치료를 투여 받았던 진행성 대장암, 비소세포 폐암 환자 두 증례를 기술하였다. 두 증례 모두 완화적 항암치료의 중단에 대한 공동 결정 하에 현재까지 최대한의 증상 치료를 시행하고 있다. 두 증례와 최근까지의 문헌고찰을 통해 국내 호스피스 완화의료가 확립 되어가는 시점에서, 항암치료의 중단 시점과 결정에 대해 부각시키는 바이다.

• 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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• 제9권1호
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• pp.35-39
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• 2006

진행된 암에서 발생하는 범복막염은 치료하지 않으면 탈수와 패혈증으로 사망할 것이 예측되고 수술적 치료 또한 높은 사망률과 합병증을 가져오며, 적극적인 수액요법과 비위관삽입, 항생제 치료 등도 아직까지 효과가 불분명하고 오히려 증상의 악화도 가져오는 것으로 알려져 있다. 이에 대한가정의학과 완화의학 연구회 세미나에서는 77세 여자 환자로 진행된 위암과 암종증으로 완화의료를 받던 중 발생한 범복막염을 수술적 치료 대신 통증조절 및 증상 완화 위중의 치료를 하여 범복막염 발생 4일 후 평화롭게 임종을 맞이하였던 증례를 보고하였고, 이 증례를 계기로 암환자에서 발생한 복막염의 치료 및 관리에 대한 문헌 고찰과 토론을 통해 다음과 같은 결론을 제시하고자 한다. 먼저 환자의 여명, 환자의 임상적 상태, 수술적 위험성 등을 고려 한 후 비수술적 완화요법을 선택할 수 있다. 통증조절을 위해서는 비경구용 진통제를 사용할 수 있고, 필요한 경우 일시적인 비위 영양관을 삽입할 수 있고 분비물이 적어지면 제거한다. 초기에 충분한 양의 비경구 수액요법이 시도될 수 있으나, 환자의 상태가 호전되지 않으면, 오히려 이로 인한 부종과 호흡곤란 등의 부작용을 최소화하기 위해 최소한의 용량을 사용하는 것을 권장한다. 항생제 사용 및 중단 여부는 환자의 자기의사결정 및 보호자와의 논의 후 임상 상태와 여명을 고려하여 결정할 수 있다.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.198-203
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• 2022

Purpose: To grasp public opinion accurately, we conducted an opinion poll on beliefs and attitudes toward physician-assisted suicide (PAS). Methods: A randomized telephone survey ensuring a representative sample was conducted, 1,007 participants aged 18 years or older (response rate, 9.5%). Results: The main results are as follows: i) 61.1% of participants thought that the current social support system for terminally ill patients and their families is insufficient; ii) 60% of participants did not recognize the term "hospice and palliative care"; iii) 81.7% of participants would not like to receive life-sustaining treatment if there is no possibility of recovery; iv) 58.4% of participants would like to receive hospice and palliative care if they are diagnosed with a terminal illness; v) the priorities for dignified dying were preparing a support system to reduce the burden of care (28.6%), economic support including reduction of medical expenses (26.7%), expansion of hospice and palliative care services (25.4%), and legalization of PAS (13.6%); and vi) 58.3% of participants agreed that the expansion of hospice and palliative care should precede the legalization of PAS. Conclusion: Koreans currently want other efforts, including expansion of hospice and palliative care services, instead of the legalization of PAS.

• The Korean journal of internal medicine
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• 제33권6호
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• pp.1039-1049
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• 2018

The populations of Asian countries are expected to age rapidly in the near future, with a dramatic increase in the number of heart failure (HF) patients also anticipated. The need for palliative and end-of-life care for elderly patients with advanced HF is currently recognized in aging societies. However, palliative care and active treatment for HF are not mutually exclusive, and palliative care should be provided to reduce suffering occurring at any stage of symptomatic HF after the point of diagnosis. HF patients are at high risk of sudden cardiac death from the early stages of the disease onwards. The decision of whether to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the event of an emergency is challenging, especially in elderly HF patients, because of the difficulty in accurately predicting the prognosis of the condition. Furthermore, advanced HF patients are often fitted with a device, and device deactivation at the end of life is a complicated process. Treatment strategies should thus be discussed by multi-disciplinary teams, including palliative experts, and should consider patient directives to address the problems discussed above. Open communication with the HF patient regarding the expected prognosis, course, and treatment options will serve to support the patient and aid in future planning.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• 제10권3호
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• pp.109-119
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• 2007