Existential Loneliness and end-of-life care: A Systematic Review

Contains fulltext : 88662.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)Patients with a life-threatening illness can be confronted with various types of loneliness, one of which is existential loneliness (EL). Since the experience of EL is extremely disruptive, the issue of EL is relevant for the practice of end-of-life care. Still, the literature on EL has generated little discussion and empirical substantiation and has never been systematically reviewed. In order to systematically review the literature, we (1) identified the existential loneliness literature; (2) established an organising framework for the review; (3) conducted a conceptual analysis of existential loneliness; and (4) discussed its relevance for end-of-life care. We found that the EL concept is profoundly unclear. Distinguishing between three dimensions of EL-as a condition, as an experience, and as a process of inner growth-leads to some conceptual clarification. Analysis of these dimensions on the basis of their respective key notions-everpresent, feeling, defence; death, awareness, difficult communication; and inner growth, giving meaning, authenticity-further clarifies the concept. Although none of the key notions are unambiguous, they may function as a starting point for the development of care strategies on EL at the end of life.1 april 201

To All Members

Two years ago, after much debate and discussion, the board of the Canadian Thoracic Society (CTS) decided to combine our annual meeting with the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP). There has been ongoing discussion as to whether this was the best course of action. Many members have raised the question of why we did not meet with the American Thoracic Society (ATS) or why we did not develop a stand-alone, made-in-Canada meeting

The Use of Noninvasive Mechanical Ventilation for the Treatment of Acute Exacerbations of Copd in Canada

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The Current Status of Autotitrating Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Systems in the Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

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