In this study done at Dana-Farber Cancer institute, patient/caregiver pairs were those of interest. The hospital and a home hospice setting were compared. The doctors that conducted this study were interested in the patients' level of pain, distress, and comfort, as well as that of their caregivers, before and after death. They found that the patients who stayed in the hospital their last days had a lower quality of life in the end. The families and caregivers of the cancer patients in the hospital also had higher levels of distress over the death, and were significantly more likely to develop PTSD or PGD (prolonged grief disorder). Information gathered from this study is not surpising to me, considering the foundation and intent of hospice care. The findings merely validate what I believe, and how I view end of life issues.
It seems reasonable that many of us would like to carry out the last of our days in comfort, surrounded by loved ones, and most likely at home. That is the exact ideal that hospice provides. The palliative care given is to ensure the utmost peace of the dying; it also provides support and understanding for the family. This alternative to aggressive, curative measures is becoming more widespread and accepted in our society. However, there are still patients and families that don't want to stop potentially curative treatment until the very end. Of course I can't blame them; who wants to "give up" on surviving, or trying to save a loved one. However, what this study found really speaks to the benefits of hospice care. The patient is surrounded by love and familiarity, and they, as well as the family, have time to come to terms with death. It provides a sort of closure for all involved. This is turn, as noted by the study, is beneficial to the family members' mental state and the process of coming to terms and moving on. My hope is, for the benefit of the patient and the family, that hospice care will be available and utilized when the time comes.
http://www.dana-farber.org/abo/news/press/2010/death-at-home-less-distressing-for-cancer-patients-and-families.html
Monday, October 18, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
experimenting with mushrooms-- medically?
A study was published in the Archives of General Psychiatry in which psilpcybin, the chemical that takes mushrooms to "magic mushrooms," was given to a test group. The test group consisted of cancer patients in the advanced stages of their disease. The purpose of the study was to see whether this schedule I, hallucinagenic drug had any effect on the anxiety these patients felt in regards to their terminal condition.
These patients, all of whom were guided through their trips, reported feeling significantly less depressed, and some even connected with their disease from a different perspective, and felt closer to family members. I am not surprised by this, seeing as these are usual reportings of the effects of the chemical, regardless of physical health. I am surprised in regards to this study, however. I believe that, so long as this group of people feel happier, more accepting, or optimistic toward their illness, then they were benefitted. I also understand the need for exploration of treatments, especially mental health treatments in terminally ill. But I am taken aback by this study for a few reasons.
1) there is still such a great debate as the the benefits/risks (physically, socially, financially, you name it) towards medical marijuana. So the timing of studying this chemical, with longer, more lasting effects surprises me. 2) Though we know how this group was positively effected, what is the plan in terms of the "dose?" Would it be intended to be given every day? A one time dose (though the treatment group went through two six-hour sessions)? Once a month for a cleansing? Are we going to just numb the patients into a permanent state of Wonderland? I think the long-term plan was not necessarily thought through.
The findings of this study fascinate me. The notion that alternative drugs / treatments are being tested is great; it also speaks to the attitudes of drugs in general, and looking at possible positives they can offer. I am happy for each individual that reported finding more peace. However, the idea of where this study will go from here, I'm not too sure about.
http://www.takepart.com/news/2010/09/16/study-finds-magic-treatment-for-terminally-ill-patients
These patients, all of whom were guided through their trips, reported feeling significantly less depressed, and some even connected with their disease from a different perspective, and felt closer to family members. I am not surprised by this, seeing as these are usual reportings of the effects of the chemical, regardless of physical health. I am surprised in regards to this study, however. I believe that, so long as this group of people feel happier, more accepting, or optimistic toward their illness, then they were benefitted. I also understand the need for exploration of treatments, especially mental health treatments in terminally ill. But I am taken aback by this study for a few reasons.
1) there is still such a great debate as the the benefits/risks (physically, socially, financially, you name it) towards medical marijuana. So the timing of studying this chemical, with longer, more lasting effects surprises me. 2) Though we know how this group was positively effected, what is the plan in terms of the "dose?" Would it be intended to be given every day? A one time dose (though the treatment group went through two six-hour sessions)? Once a month for a cleansing? Are we going to just numb the patients into a permanent state of Wonderland? I think the long-term plan was not necessarily thought through.
The findings of this study fascinate me. The notion that alternative drugs / treatments are being tested is great; it also speaks to the attitudes of drugs in general, and looking at possible positives they can offer. I am happy for each individual that reported finding more peace. However, the idea of where this study will go from here, I'm not too sure about.
http://www.takepart.com/news/2010/09/16/study-finds-magic-treatment-for-terminally-ill-patients
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