Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine

Palliative Chemotherapy High Impact Factor Journals

Most medical treatments are judged to be effective if they are proven to prolong life or to reduce the risk of adverse health events or functional impairments. Good end-of-life care can only be defined by its ability to promote a “good death,” or good dying experience for patients. As the potential for medical treatment to improve function and survival diminishes, patient- and family-cantered outcomes become paramount. An expert consensus panel convened by the national Institute of Medicine has defined a good death as “one that is free from avoidable distress and suffering for patients, families, and caregivers; in general accord with patients’ and families’ wishes; and reasonably consistent with clinical, cultural, and ethical standards.” Several well-designed studies explore domains defined as important to seriously ill and dying patients and their professional and family caregivers Dying patients and those who provide their care consistently value: (a) relief from pain and other physical symptoms, (b) attention to emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs, (c) compassionate communication, (d) involvement in critical healthcare decisions, (e) affirmation of personhood and dignity, (f) support for family caregivers, and (g) coordination and continuity of care. Public demand for appropriate care at the end of life emerged in the controversy surrounding dramatic “right-to-die” court cases. It has been fuelled by the debate over assisted suicide, and by descriptive studies of pain and suffering experienced by dying patients and their families. These problems are well defined and new approaches to the delivery of medical care to seriously ill and dying patients are beginning to improve care.  

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