Date of Award
5-1-2019
Document Type
Open Access Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Medical Science (MMSc)
First Advisor
Kathleen Akgün, MD
Abstract
Dementia is a chronic, progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease with no curative treatment options. The number of Americans living with dementia is expected to triple between 2018 and 2050. Access to palliative care for patients living with dementia and other chronic diseases like cancer improves quality of life and may even prolong life. However, the optimal timing for a palliative care consult is not yet clear. This study seeks to determine whether early initiation of palliative care in dementia patients admitted to the hospital with acute illness benefits patient clinical outcomes (non-institutionalized days at home, readmissions, location of death) and psychological distress of surrogate decision makers. We propose a randomized controlled trial of early, proactive palliative care in hospitalized advanced dementia patients. These results may help to improve care for the growing population of older Americans and provide insights into alleviating the suffering of those living with dementia.
Recommended Citation
Viveen, Tori, "Early, Proactive Palliative Care in Hospitalized Patients with Advanced Dementia: A Research Proposal" (2019). Yale School of Medicine Physician Associate Program Theses. 55.
https://elischolar.library.yale.edu/ysmpa_theses/55
