1.The Effectiveness of Dignity Therapy as Applied to End-of-Life Patients with Cancer in Taiwan: A Quasi-Experimental Study
Yu-Chi LI ; Yin-Hsun FENG ; Hui-Ying CHIANG ; Shu-Ching MA ; Hsiu-Hung WANG
Asian Nursing Research 2020;14(4):189-195
Purpose:
The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of dignity therapy for end-of-life patients with cancer.
Methods:
This study used a quasi-experimental study design with a nonrandomized controlled trial.Dignity therapy was used as an intervention in the experimental group, and general visit was used in the control group. Thirty end-of-life patients with cancer were recruited, with 16 in the experimental group and 14 in the control group. Outcome variables were the participants' dignity, demoralization, and depression. Measurements were taken at the following time points: pre-test (before intervention), posttest 1 (the 7th day), and post-test 2 (the 14th day). The effectiveness of the intervention in the two groups was analyzed using the generalized estimating equation, with the p value set to be less than .05.
Results:
After dignity therapy, the end-of-life patients with cancer reflected increased dignity signifi-cantly [β= -37.08, standard error (SE) = 7.43, Wald x2= 24.94, p < .001], whereas demoralization (β= -39.55, SE = 6.42, Wald x2= 37.95, p < .001) and depression (β= -12.01, SE = 2.17, x2= 30.71, p< 001) were both reduced significantly.
Conclusion
Clinical nurses could be adopting dignity therapy to relieve psychological distress and improve spiritual need in end-of-life patients with cancer. Future studies might be expanded to looking at patients vis-a -vis end-of-life patients without cancer to improve their psychological distress. These results provide reference data for the care of end-of-life patients with cancer for nursing professionals.
2.The Effectiveness of Dignity Therapy as Applied to End-of-Life Patients with Cancer in Taiwan: A Quasi-Experimental Study
Yu-Chi LI ; Yin-Hsun FENG ; Hui-Ying CHIANG ; Shu-Ching MA ; Hsiu-Hung WANG
Asian Nursing Research 2020;14(4):189-195
Purpose:
The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of dignity therapy for end-of-life patients with cancer.
Methods:
This study used a quasi-experimental study design with a nonrandomized controlled trial.Dignity therapy was used as an intervention in the experimental group, and general visit was used in the control group. Thirty end-of-life patients with cancer were recruited, with 16 in the experimental group and 14 in the control group. Outcome variables were the participants' dignity, demoralization, and depression. Measurements were taken at the following time points: pre-test (before intervention), posttest 1 (the 7th day), and post-test 2 (the 14th day). The effectiveness of the intervention in the two groups was analyzed using the generalized estimating equation, with the p value set to be less than .05.
Results:
After dignity therapy, the end-of-life patients with cancer reflected increased dignity signifi-cantly [β= -37.08, standard error (SE) = 7.43, Wald x2= 24.94, p < .001], whereas demoralization (β= -39.55, SE = 6.42, Wald x2= 37.95, p < .001) and depression (β= -12.01, SE = 2.17, x2= 30.71, p< 001) were both reduced significantly.
Conclusion
Clinical nurses could be adopting dignity therapy to relieve psychological distress and improve spiritual need in end-of-life patients with cancer. Future studies might be expanded to looking at patients vis-a -vis end-of-life patients without cancer to improve their psychological distress. These results provide reference data for the care of end-of-life patients with cancer for nursing professionals.
3.Perception of the factors contributing to family happiness among caregivers of stroke survivors in a suburban community in Thailand: A qualitative study
Piyarat Chaknum ; Teeranut Harniratisai ; Chomchuen Somprasert ; Li-Chi Chiang
Malaysian Family Physician 2023;18(All Issues):1-8
Introduction:
Caring for stroke survivors in primary care settings substantially impacts family life and health. Caregivers of stroke survivors have different challenging experiences in providing care in relation to family happiness. This study aimed to explore family happiness and its contributing factors among family members caring for stroke survivors in suburban Thailand.
Methods:
Qualitative semi-structured interviews and observations were conducted among 54 family caregivers in suburban Thailand communities from January to July 2020. Interviews and focus group discussions were digitally recorded, independently transcribed and analysed using ATLAS.ti 8.0. Qualitative data analysis method was used.
Results:
Family happiness was found to help a family function and be satisfied with caring. The analysis revealed three themes for achieving family happiness: 1) ideal caregiver characteristics: virtue, love and gratitude, experience in caring, good health and self-care ability, good management of emotions and freedom to manage problems and obstacles; 2) family function: family structure, roles and duties, relationships and management of family problems; and 3) resource support: financial, health and environmental supports.
Conclusion
The findings demonstrate how life adaptations can improve family happiness within families of stroke survivors. Understanding caregivers’ perceptions of their experiences in caring for stroke survivors is a challenge for healthcare providers; overcoming this could transform an unpleasant life into caregiving happiness. Appropriate and practical support from healthcare authorities could empower families of stroke survivors to succeed in caregiving and achieve family happiness.
Perception
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Stroke
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Caregivers
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Happiness
4.Taiwan Association for the Study of the Liver-Taiwan Society of Cardiology Taiwan position statement for the management of metabolic dysfunction- associated fatty liver disease and cardiovascular diseases
Pin-Nan CHENG ; Wen-Jone CHEN ; Charles Jia-Yin HOU ; Chih-Lin LIN ; Ming-Ling CHANG ; Chia-Chi WANG ; Wei-Ting CHANG ; Chao-Yung WANG ; Chun-Yen LIN ; Chung-Lieh HUNG ; Cheng-Yuan PENG ; Ming-Lung YU ; Ting-Hsing CHAO ; Jee-Fu HUANG ; Yi-Hsiang HUANG ; Chi-Yi CHEN ; Chern-En CHIANG ; Han-Chieh LIN ; Yi-Heng LI ; Tsung-Hsien LIN ; Jia-Horng KAO ; Tzung-Dau WANG ; Ping-Yen LIU ; Yen-Wen WU ; Chun-Jen LIU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2024;30(1):16-36
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is an increasingly common liver disease worldwide. MAFLD is diagnosed based on the presence of steatosis on images, histological findings, or serum marker levels as well as the presence of at least one of the three metabolic features: overweight/obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and metabolic risk factors. MAFLD is not only a liver disease but also a factor contributing to or related to cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which is the major etiology responsible for morbidity and mortality in patients with MAFLD. Hence, understanding the association between MAFLD and CVD, surveillance and risk stratification of MAFLD in patients with CVD, and assessment of the current status of MAFLD management are urgent requirements for both hepatologists and cardiologists. This Taiwan position statement reviews the literature and provides suggestions regarding the epidemiology, etiology, risk factors, risk stratification, nonpharmacological interventions, and potential drug treatments of MAFLD, focusing on its association with CVD.