Letter to the Editor
Knowledge, attitudes and readiness of final-year medical students towards clinical goals-of-care discussion
Dear Editor,
In a rapidly ageing global population,1 there is increasing recognition of the importance of clinical goals-of-care (GOC) discussions aimed at understanding patients’ goals, wishes and care preferences in the event of serious illness or end-of-life situations,2 in order to affirm patient-centred decision-making, improve quality of life and facilitate...
Original Article
Healthcare burden of cognitive impairment: Evidence from a Singapore Chinese health study
Individuals with cognitive impairment (CI) are predisposed to injuries, infections and treatment complications,1 have poorer treatment compliance, and face greater difficulties with post-discharge care.2 These challenges, exacerbated by comorbidities,3-6 lead to poorer ambulatory care management, reduced contacts with primary and outpatient care providers, and greater use of emergency department...
Letter to the Editor
Palliative dialysis in hospice: A paradox or promising answer?
Dear Editor,
End-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients have higher mortality, hospital admissions and invasive procedures towards the end of life.1 However, many of them (82%) prioritise minimising suffering over life prolongation. Although twice as many patients prefer dying at home and inpatient hospice (65%) compared to hospital (27%), hospice utilisation...
Commentary
Experience with a Nine-step Policy Dealing with Requests for Medically Inappropriate Interventions for Cancer
Although great strides have been made in treating cancers, a significant number of patients still reach the point at which no curative treatment is available. Physicians then face the difficult task of informing patients that, although palliation is always possible, cure is not.
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Commentary
Amendment of the Human Organ Transplant Act
Kidney transplants have been carried out in Singapore for more than 35 years, with the first cadaveric kidney transplant operation performed on 8 July 1970. However, prior to the commencement of the Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA) in 1988, there was only a small number of kidney transplants; between...
Original Article
How do English-speaking Cancer Patients Conceptualise Personhood?
Understanding the way personhood or “what makes you, you” is conceptualised is pivotal to the practice of medicine. Conceptions of personhood determine the moral and legal status of an individual, is central to the protection of rights and privileges and is pivotal to the maintenance of the distinctiveness of...