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dc.contributor.authorChochinov, H.
dc.contributor.authorMcClement, S.
dc.contributor.authorHack, T.
dc.contributor.authorKristjanson, Linda
dc.contributor.authorHarlos, M.
dc.contributor.authorSinclair, S.
dc.contributor.authorMurray, A.
dc.date.accessioned2017-01-30T11:54:29Z
dc.date.available2017-01-30T11:54:29Z
dc.date.created2009-09-17T20:02:14Z
dc.date.issued2009
dc.identifier.citationChochinov, Harvey and McClement, Susan and Hack, Thomas and Kristjanson, Linda and Harlos, Mike and Sinclair, Shane and Murray, Alison. 2009. The landscape of distress in the terminally ill. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. Article in Press: pp. 1-9.
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/16214
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2009.04.021
dc.description.abstract

Understanding the complexities of distress and knowing who is most vulnerable isfoundational to the provision of quality, palliative end-of-life care. Although prior studieshave examined the prevalence of symptom distress among patients nearing death, thesestudies have tended to largely focus on physical and to a lesser extent, psychologicalchallenges. The aim of this study was to use the Patient Dignity Inventory (PDI), a novel,reliable, and validated measure of end-of-life distress, to describe a broad landscape of distressin patients who are terminally ill. The PDI, a 25-item self-report, was administered to 253patients receiving palliative care. Each PDI item is rated by patients to indicate the degree towhich they experience various kinds of end-of-life distress. Palliative care patients reported anaverage of 5.74 problems (standard deviation, 5.49; range, 0e24), including physical,psychological, existential, and spiritual challenges. Being an inpatient, being educated, andhaving a partner were associated with certain kinds of end-of-life problems, particularlyexistential distress. Spirituality, especially its existential or ??sense of meaning and purpose??dimension was associated with less distress for terminally ill patients. A better appreciationfor the nature of distress is a critical step toward a fuller understanding of the challengesfacing the terminally ill. A clear articulation of the landscape of distress, including insightregarding those who are most at risk, should pave the way toward more effective, dignityconservingend-of-life care.

dc.publisherElsevier
dc.subjectPatient Dignity Inventory
dc.subjectPalliative Care
dc.subjectDistress
dc.titleThe landscape of distress in the terminally ill
dc.typeJournal Article
dcterms.source.volumeArticle in Press
dcterms.source.startPage1
dcterms.source.endPage9
dcterms.source.issn08853924
dcterms.source.titleJournal of Pain and Symptom Management
curtin.note

The link to the journal's home page is: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/505775/description#description

curtin.note

Copyright © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

curtin.accessStatusOpen access
curtin.facultySchool of Nursing and Midwifery
curtin.facultyFaculty of Health Sciences
curtin.facultyWestern Australian Centre for Cancer and Palliative Care (WACCPC)


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