Living with Dying - Tutorial 5 Flashcards
Historically, in what setting did death normally occur in?
Institutional setting
What accounted for 1 in 3 deaths in the mid 19th century?
Infectious disease
What are the most common causes of death now?
Cancer and IHD
Since 1995 cancer has outstripped IHF
In the young, what percentage of deaths are accounted for by accidents?
38% of deaths in boys
23% of deaths in girls
What is the main cause of death in men aged 15-34?
Suicide
Since 1861, what has the life expectancy in Scotland increased by?
32.3 years for men and 34.1 years for women
What are the effects of unexpected death?
Causes a profound sense of shock, no chance to say goodbye or take back hasty words
Accidents might be compounded by multiple deaths, legal involvement or press coverage
Deaths of children carry an even more profound sense of shock e.g. SIDS has no definite diagnosis and may carry the stigma of parental blame
What is the last phase of care when a patient’s condition is deteriorating and death is close?
Terminal care
Often misleadingly only associated with cancer
What is a more helpful term for the management of conditions until the terminal phase is reached?
Palliative care
What is palliative care?
A philosophy of care that emphasises quality of life
Performed by a MDT - communication between members is essential
Where is most palliative care provided?
Most provided in primary care with support from specialist practitioners and specialist palliative care units (or hospices)
GPs can act as companions for patients undergoing palliative care
The WHO state that palliative care
improves the quality of life of patients and families who face life-threatening illness, by providing pain and symptom relief, spirit and psychosocial support.. from diagnosis to the end of life and bereavement
In 2008, the Scottish Government developed a national action plan for palliative and end of life care, what is this called?
Living and Dying Well
Living and Dying well states that “palliative care is not just about care in the last months, days and hours of a person’s life, but about
ensuring quality of life for both patients and families at every stage of the disease process from diagnosis onwards… palliative care focuses on the person, not the disease and applies a holistic approach to meeting the physical, practical, functional, social, emotional and spiritual needs of patients and carers facing progressive illness and bereavement”
What does palliative care encompass?
End of life care, regardless of cause of illness
What are doctors encouraged to do in relation to palliative care?
Consider which patients would benefit from palliative planning and treatment from early on in their illness