Spirituality is a difficult concept to define, one that is often understood differently by different cultures and religious communities. Illness constitutes a dramatic change in the ongoing flow and norms of a person’s life, raising questions of the value or meaning of life, questions of self-worth, and questions of forgiveness, to ourselves and others. The …
Everyone has spiritual resources that generally serve them well, and in times of struggle, part of people’s suffering is spiritual. Tending to patients’ “whole pain” must include their spiritual pain. Studies from Israel and worldwide found that approximately one-third of advanced cancer patients suffer spiritual distress. In addition, over half of cancer patients attach great …
Do we have medical measures that attest to the effect of spiritual care in time of illness? לקריאה »
A flowering plant of variegated ingredients and psychoactive qualities, cannabis has long been used for medicinal and recreational purposes. Currently, cannabis is approved in several countries for indications of symptomatic alleviation. However, limited knowledge on the benefits and risks precludes inclusion of cannabis in standard treatment guidelines. This review provides a summary of the available …
Cannabis use in palliative oncology: a review of the evidence for popular indications. לקריאה »
Stemmer Background: In the last decade, a number of integrative oncology programs have been established within leading oncology departments in Israel aiming to provide consultations that address patients’ concerns and improve their quality of life (QOL). Objective: To identify Arab cancer patients’ attitudes, needs and expectations concerning integration of complementary and traditional medicine (CTM) in their supportive …
Faced with a serious, incurable illness, disability, and other symptoms, both physical and mental, some patients find themselves wondering about the meaning of their Lives. They need the help of a professional who can perceive their mental turmoil and identify their spiritual needs, and who knows how to help them find meaning in their uncertain …
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are rare mesenchymal tumors, with specific histological characteristics. These tumors are resistant to conventional radiation and chemotherapy treatment and therefore, patients with unresectable or metastatic GIST have a poor prognosis. Imatinib, a c-kit tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has recently been found to be highly effective for patients with advanced GIST. We report …
Mistletoe (viscum album) preparations: An optional drug for cancer patients? לקריאה »
Context: Pain is a common complaint in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients yet is often inadequately assessed and undertreated. Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, characteristics, intensity, and impact of pain in MHD patients. Methods: In a cross-sectional study conducted between 2013 and 2015, 336 MHD patients from five hemodialysis units in hospitals owned …
Pain in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients: A Multicenter Study לקריאה »
