Spirituality among African American and Hispanic women has been associated with a variety of positive health outcomes. The purposes of this commentary are (1) to define spirituality, comparing it with religiosity, and briefly examine the historical, cultural, and contextual roots of spirituality among women of color; (2) to explore research data that support a relationship between spirituality and health, particularly among women of color; and (3) to present several examples of how spirituality may enhance public health interventions designed to promote health and prevention.

Dehydration in terminally ill patients is a common condition and its treatment in an active oncology unit often involves intravenous (IV) hydration programs. The decision to use IV hydration is only partly determined by an objective assessment of the clinical data. The other component is the attitudes of those involved in the decision-making process. This pilot study surveyed the attitudes of patients, family members/friends, nurses and doctors toward IV hydration in this patient population. Although the majority of the conscious patients (95%), family members/friends (81%), and nurses (64%) were not involved in the decision-making process, the expressed attitudes were generally positive. The three most commonly stated reasons for IV therapy were "medication," "giving fluids" and "giving morphine." Interestingly, among the reasons expressed, the amelioration of thirst was never explicitly cited.

No abstract

Evidence-based symptom profiles for different chemotherapy protocols are needed.

With the aging of the world's population, cancer pain will become an increasingly important health issue. The purpose of this study was to describe the cancer pain experience of Americans (n = 60) and Israelis (n = 39) 65 years and older. Outpatients in teaching hospitals in the U.S. and in Israel completed study questionnaires. Thirty percent of the total variance of worst pain was explained by age, symptom severity, and cancer stage, and 40% of the total variance of pain interference was explained by whether they were American or Israeli, symptom severity, and sense of coherence. Israeli patients had significantly higher scores on worst pain and pain interference, and significantly lower pain management index (PMI) and knowledge and attitudes toward pain and pain control scores. Studies with larger samples and across different cultures are needed to confirm these findings in order to develop culturally appropriate interventions.