Palliative Care Commons^™

Spirituality And Psychological Well-Being Among Als Caregivers: Hope And Perceived Stress As Mediators, Bridget R. Jeter

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The empirical study of the salutary relationship between spirituality/religiousness and psychological well-being is burgeoning. However, mechanisms of this association have received less empirical attention. Theory suggests that spirituality/religiousness may lead to positive psychological characteristics such as hope, which may function as a means of coping in the context of a significant stressor or stressful situation. The perceived burden and stress associated with caring for individuals with chronic illnesses such as ALS is significant, and caregivers may be at risk for increased symptoms of depression, symptoms of anxiety, somatic symptoms, and other deleterious psychological well-being related outcomes. Within the context of …

Promoting Completion Of Advance Directives In A Hispanic Religious Congregation: An Evidence-Based Practice Project, Luis Daniel San Miguel, Mary Jo Clark

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Background: Hispanics utilize more aggressive medical treatment at the end of life and are less likely to receive end-of-life care consistent with their wishes than nonHispanic Whites. Hispanics are less likely than nonHispanic Whites to have an advance directive (AD). Increasing AD completion among Hispanics can promote end-of-life care consistent with their wishes, diminish healthcare disparities, and eliminate unnecessary healthcare spending. Objectives: To promote completion of advance directives by increasing knowledge, positive attitudes, and comfort with advance care planning (ACP) among Hispanics through culturally sensitive interventions. Intervention: The project was conducted in Spanish and implemented among a …

Choices Related To Maximizing Quality Of Life At End Of Life, Theresa Lynn

Dissertations

Humans, including those residing in the United States, can live in denial of their own mortality. Because of this, futile care is sometimes provided, often at great monetary expense and for little or no return in terms of quality or length of life. At least two opportunities exist for making choices regarding care at the end of life in the U.S.: completing advance directives and choosing hospice care. This dissertation consists of three studies related to this topic. The first is a quantitative study about advance directives and attitude toward death. The advance directive completion rate among adults in the …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Primary Care, Priti Patel

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

The Capstone Project is focused on communicating, influencing and educating other health care professionals regarding the role of occupational therapy in the future model of primary care delivery initiated by the adoption of the Affordable Care Act and the Triple Aim Initiative. Currently, primary care, the largest health care platform in United States, is not inclusive of occupational therapy services. Occupational therapists have the scope, knowledge and understanding to be part of the redesigned team model of primary care. Educating those currently working in primary care about adding occupational therapy services can have a significant impact on the profession of …

Americans' Attitudes Toward Euthanasia And Physician-Assisted Suicide, 1936-2002, Jen Allen, Sonia Chavez, Sara Desimone, Debbie Howard, Keadron Johnson, Lucinda Lapierr, Darrel Montero, Jerry Sanders

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Public opinion polls conducted from 1936 to 2002 found that Americans support both euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. Although public opinion regarding end-oflife decisions appears to have been influenced by the events of the times, Americans have consistently favored the freedom to end one's life when the perceived quality of life has significantly diminished, either by one's own hand or with the assistance of a physician. This paper indicates that existing policy regarding euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide conflicts with the American public's attitudes regarding the matter, as well as examines implications for social workers who serve clients facing end-of-life decisions.

Ua35/11 Student Honors Research Bulletin, Wku Honors Program

WKU Administration Documents

The WKU Student Honors Research Bulletin is dedicated to scholarly involvement and student research. These papers are representative of work done by students from throughout the university.

• Garvin, Catherine. The Recognition of Anticipatory Grieving and Associated Needs of the Family of a Critically Ill Patient
• Parks, Barbara. Energy Properties of Textiles
• Martin, Lanna. A Historical Approach to the Understanding of Civil Disobedience
• Atwood, Tammy. The Computer Manufacturing Industry and the Burroughs Corporation
• Allen, Christopher. The Battle of Marathon: Athens' Magnificent Triumph
• Martin, Lanna. Melville's Creation of Captain Vere as Pontius Pilate in Billy Budd
• Boles, Barbara. Emerson's Uriel and the …

Changing Physician Ideologies On The Care Of The Dying: Themes And Possible Explanations, John Macdougall

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

An analysis of changing physician ideologies regarding the care of elderly dying patients, as expressed in technical journals read by American physicians. Markedly more titles concerning terminal care are found in Index Medicus in 1968- 78 than in 1960-67. In one journal, physicians are only after 1964 urged to tell patients openly about their condition and after 1969, to improve cooperation within professional teams. Two explanations of these data are tentatively explored: 1) a Parsonian explanation, whereby medical ideologies reflect professional autonomy and the influence of internalized moral norms; 2) a Marxist explanation, whereby medical ideologies reflect physicians' transformation from …