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Palliative Care in Neurology: Integrating a Palliative Approach to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Care
Citation
Hogden, A and Aoun, SM and Silbert, PL, Palliative Care in Neurology: Integrating a Palliative Approach to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Care, European Medical Journal pp. 68-76. ISSN 0963-6056 (2018) [Refereed Article]
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Official URL: https://www.emjreviews.com/neurology/article/palli...
Abstract
This narrative review examines connections between neurology, specialist palliative care, and
an integrated palliative approach to care for people living with neurodegenerative conditions.
To illustrate the complexities of including palliative care in the management of neurodegenerative
conditions, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is used as a case study. Challenges to co-ordinated
ALS care and smooth care transitions between multiple services and healthcare professionals are
discussed, including the timing of palliative care delivery in ALS; the education and training needs
of healthcare professionals; and misperceptions of palliative care held by healthcare professionals,
patients, and families. The benefits of adopting an integrated palliative approach to care for
patients, families, and healthcare professionals are clarified. To enhance this, a family perspective
is given on experiences of ALS neurology and palliative services, the challenges they faced, and aspects of care that facilitated the patient’s preferences for the time they had left. This review
concludes that a palliative approach integrated into the care plan of people with ALS from the time
of diagnosis can optimise quality of life by relieving symptoms; providing emotional, psychological,
and spiritual support pre-bereavement; minimising barriers to a comfortable end of life; and
supporting the family post-bereavement. These outcomes can only be achieved if palliative care
knowledge and expertise are extended beyond the domain of specialist palliative care services to
include the full scope of health and community-based care. These challenges and potential actions
are common for several neurodegenerative pathologies, and recommendations are made for
enhancing the training of neurology health professionals within the wider community.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Refereed Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | integrated care, interdisciplinary care |
| Research Division: | Biomedical and Clinical Sciences |
| Research Group: | Neurosciences |
| Research Field: | Neurology and neuromuscular diseases |
| Objective Division: | Health |
| Objective Group: | Provision of health and support services |
| Objective Field: | Palliative care |
| UTAS Author: | Hogden, A (Dr Anne Hogden) |
| ID Code: | 135920 |
| Year Published: | 2018 |
| Deposited By: | Australian Institute of Health Service Management |
| Deposited On: | 2019-11-20 |
| Last Modified: | 2019-12-12 |
| Downloads: | 16 View Download Statistics |
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