BMC Palliat Care. 2025 Dec 12;24(1):302. doi: 10.1186/s12904-025-01940-x.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Caring for palliative patients imposes a significant burden, as caregivers must provide physical, psychological, social, and spiritual support. Identifying ways to support informal caregivers is essential for improving their quality of life as well as that of the patients. This study aims to assess the prevalence and determinants of social support and psychological distress, and to explore their relationship among family caregivers of patients receiving palliative care at Nkhoma Mission Hospital and Neno District Hospital in rural Malawi.METHODS: A total of 308 adult caregivers of adult palliative patients attending services at Nkhoma…
Origen: Social support and psychological distress among family caregivers of palliative patients at two rural hospitals in Malawi: a cross-sectional study – PubMed

BMJ Open. 2025 Dec 11;15(12):e111717. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-111717.ABSTRACTINTRODUCTION: Approximately 53 million family caregivers (FCGs) support and provide home-based care for patients with chronic and life-limiting conditions. Caregiving at the end of life is an emotionally, cognitively and physically demanding role, and FCGs are often unpaid and receive little training. FCGs in remote, rural areas experience adverse social determinants of health (SDOHs), such as limited access to healthcare services and are often financially vulnerable, affecting their healthcare coverage, placing them at higher risk for poor emotional health. Adequate health literacy, a key SDOH, may be a protective factor. The purpose is to…
Origen: Evaluation of social determinants of health and emotional symptoms among rural family caregivers providing palliative and end-of-life care: An explanatory sequential mixed methods study protocol – PubMed

Rev Med Suisse. 2025 Dec 10;21(943):2214-2217. doi: 10.53738/REVMED.2025.21.943.48074.ABSTRACTLGBTIQ+ individuals (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, +) frequently encounter issues specific to them in their healthcare journey, including various forms of discrimination. However, healthcare professionals often lack knowledge or awareness of these issues. The palliative phase of an illness is naturally a period of increased vulnerability. A better understanding of these issues is necessary in order to provide individualized support to LGBTIQ+ patients in palliative care and their loved ones. This article discusses ways to improve this support.PMID:41376308 | DOI:10.53738/REVMED.2025.21.943.48074
Origen: Rainbow until the end of life : LGBTIQ+ individuals and palliative care – PubMed

Rev Med Suisse. 2025 Dec 10;21(943):2222-2225. doi: 10.53738/REVMED.2025.21.943.48047.ABSTRACTPruritus is a symptom frequently encountered in the elderly people or those with advanced illnesses. It is therefore a common complaint in palliative care. Approximately 35 % of palliative care patients report experiencing itchiness, although this incidence varies depending on the underlying condition. This symptom significantly affects quality of life, notably by disrupting sleep, increasing fatigue, and contributing to the development of skin lesions, which can sometimes become superinfected. The etiologies are numerous, and identifying an appropriate treatment can be challenging. This article provides an overview of the main therapeutic options available for…
Origen: Managing pruritus in palliative care – PubMed

Rev Med Suisse. 2025 Dec 10;21(943):2218-2221. doi: 10.53738/REVMED.2025.21.943.48031.ABSTRACTPalliative care is now integrated at an early stage in the treatment of advanced diseases. In a culture where autonomy and independence are core values, maintaining them is a key component of quality of life for certain people. Palliative care rehabilitation is an interprofessional approach that is essential in the care of patients with advanced incurable diseases who cannot undergo conventional rehabilitation. Indeed, structured interprofessional care focused on the realistic goals of each patient can reduce symptoms and maintain the desired autonomy for as long as possible. This article describes and illustrates this…
Origen: Palliative care rehabilitation : an essential lever for preserving quality of life – PubMed