Latest news with #Ghent
Medscape
15 hours ago
- Health
- Medscape
Doctors' End-of-Life Choices Break the Norm
A new survey revealed that most doctors would decline aggressive treatments, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), ventilation, or tube feeding for themselves if faced with advanced cancer or Alzheimer's disease, choosing instead symptom relief and, in many cases, assisted dying. 'Globally, people are living longer than they were 50 years ago. However, higher rates of chronic disease and extended illness trajectories have made end-of-life care the need for improved end-of-life care an issue of growing clinical and societal importance,' the authors, led by Sarah Mroz, PhD, a doctoral researcher with the End‑of‑Life Care Research Group at Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Ghent University, based in Brussels and Ghent, Belgium, wrote. Physicians play a critical role in initiating and conducting conversations about end-of-life care with patients, whose deaths are often preceded by decisions regarding end-of-life practices. These decisions may include choosing to forgo life-prolonging therapies or opting for treatments that could hasten death. Such choices have a significant impact on individuals, families, and the healthcare system. 'Since physicians have a significant influence on patients' end-of-life care, it is important to better understand their personal perspectives on such care and its associated ethical implications. However, existing studies on physicians' preferences for end-of-life practices are outdated and/or focus on a narrow range of end-of-life practices. Additionally, knowledge on whether physicians would consider assisted dying for themselves is limited, and no international comparative studies have been conducted,' the authors wrote. To address this gap, the researchers conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1157 physicians, including general practitioners, palliative care specialists, and other clinicians from Belgium, Italy, Canada, the US, and Australia. Physician Choices Physicians were surveyed regarding their end-of-life care preferences in cases of advanced cancer and end-stage Alzheimer's disease. Over 90% preferred symptom-relief medication, and more than 95% declined CPR, mechanical ventilation, or tube feeding. Only 0.5% would choose CPR for cancer and 0.2% for Alzheimer's disease. Around 50%-54% supported euthanasia in both cases. Support for euthanasia varied by country, from 80.8% in Belgium to 37.9% in Italy for cancer and from 67.4% in Belgium to 37.4% in Georgia, US, for Alzheimer's disease. 'Physicians practicing in jurisdictions where both euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide are legal were more likely to consider euthanasia a (very) good option for both cancer (OR [odds ratio], 3.1) and Alzheimer's disease (OR, 1.9),' the researchers noted. The results show how laws and culture shape end-of-life choices. Practice Gap The article highlights a striking disconnect: While most doctors would refuse aggressive interventions for themselves at the end of life, such treatments are still commonly administered to patients. What explains this gap? 'The gap between doctors' preference for comfort-focused care for themselves and the aggressive treatments they often provide to patients highlights a deeper conflict between personal understanding and professional obligation,' said Andrea Bovero, psychologist at the University Hospital Città della Salute e della Scienza and faculty member in the Department of Neurosciences at the University of Turin, both in Turin, Italy, in an interview with Univadis Italy , a Medscape Network platform. Physicians, he explained, understand the limits of medical interventions and their real impact on quality of life due to their training and experience. 'When they become patients themselves or must make decisions for loved ones, they tend to choose less invasive options — prioritizing quality of life over simply extending it,' he added. However, the situation changes when treating patients. Doctors operate within a system that rewards intervention, action, and a 'fight the disease' mindset — often under pressure from families who want every possible option pursued and from the fear of appearing negligent to the patient. 'There's also the fear of legal consequences,' Bovero said. 'This drives a defensive approach to medicine, where taking action feels safer than choosing not to intervene.' According to Bovero, who was not involved in the study, bridging the gap between what doctors would choose for themselves and what they offer their patients requires a broader rethinking of the healthcare system. 'We need new cultural models, medical education that centers on the individual and the ethics of boundaries, and a healthcare system that prioritizes listening and support,' he said. Rethinking the Role of Death Deeper cultural factors influence the choice of end-of-life care. 'In many Western societies, death is still seen as a failure — even in medicine,' Bovero said. This mindset, he explained, contributes to the avoidance of honest conversations about dying and a preference for treatments that delay or deny death. As a result, physicians are often caught between what they know is clinically appropriate and what social or institutional norms they are expected to follow. 'Regulatory frameworks play a major role in defining what is considered possible or acceptable in end-of-life care,' Bovero said. He emphasized that clear, shared laws on practices, such as deep palliative sedation or euthanasia, could give physicians greater freedom to express and follow care decisions focused on patient comfort and relief. 'In countries where the law explicitly supports patients' rights to palliative care, informed consent, and advance directives, physicians are better positioned to align care with patient values,' Bovero noted. For example, Italy's legislation ensures access to palliative care and upholds the right to refuse treatment or plan future care, which promotes dignity and autonomy at the end of life. Individualized Care Good care doesn't always mean curative treatment; it often means focusing on quality of life,' Bovero said. He noted that this mindset becomes evident when healthcare professionals, as patients, opt for palliative care. However, he cautioned that physicians' personal preferences shouldn't be applied as a universal standard, because 'every patient has unique values, priorities, experiences, and goals that must be acknowledged and respected.' Placing the individual at the center of care is fundamental. Bovero emphasized that good clinical practice involves tailoring medical knowledge, evidence, and even a clinician's personal insights into the specific needs of each patient. Good communication between doctors and patients is key to providing thoughtful care to patients. From the beginning, there should be open, honest discussions between healthcare providers, patients, and families. It is not enough to list treatment options; doctors need to understand what truly matters to the patient, including their fears, desires, and values. This kind of communication requires time, empathy, and real listening qualities that are often overlooked in health systems prioritizing efficiency and technical fixes. 'When doctors and patients connect not only on a medical level but also around personal meaning and existential priorities, care becomes truly personalized,' Bovero said. His research, published in the Journal of Health Psychology , highlights the importance of addressing patients' spiritual needs and encouraging providers to reflect on their own spirituality to improve support for people at the end of life.
New York Times
17 hours ago
- Health
- New York Times
We Love Our Dogs and Cats. But Are They Bad for the Environment?
Our dogs and cats provide all kinds of benefits. They improve physical health, reduce stress and can fend off loneliness. Research shows that interacting with pets can lower blood pressure. Dogs need walks and playtime, which helps people stay active. And both dogs and cats can form deep bonds with humans. Basically, the enrich our lives. 'There's a whole body of literature supporting that,' said Pieter De Frenne, a bioscience engineer at Ghent University in Belgium. Yet for all the good, pets come with environmental costs. Cats and dogs eat a lot of meat, for example. They also kill wildlife. So, how can you get all those tangible and intangible benefits and keep the environmental, um, pawprint, as low as possible? Here's what the experts had to say. A whole lot of meat Gregory Okin, a geographer at the University of California, Los Angeles, calculated in a 2017 study that the estimated 163 million cats and dogs in the United States consume a whopping quarter of the country's animal-derived calories. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Science
- South China Morning Post
How artists and scientists brought a prehistoric woman back to life
With her clear blue eyes and slightly nervous gaze, the reconstructed bust of Mos'anne – a woman who lived about 10,500 years ago – is uncannily lifelike. Reborn via a close partnership between science and art, Mos'anne's bust was created at Belgium's Ghent University as part of a project to explore how the region's last hunter-gatherers lived during the Mesolithic era. 'Part of the project is also understanding the genetics of these people, figuring out their kinship and so on, and to be able to really translate the science that we do to a wider audience,' said the project's lead researcher, Isabelle de Groote. Scientists chose the skull of Mos'anne – named by public vote in reference to Belgium's Meuse Valley – for reconstruction, as it was exceptionally well-preserved. The bones held a large amount of preserved DNA, making it possible to reconstruct the woman – aged between 35 and 60 at her death – with remarkable realism. 'We also know that in the Mesolithic times, she is genetically part of the Western hunter-gatherer group,' de Groote said.
Irish Daily Mirror
19-07-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Plumber who allegedly voiced 'extremist' views in IPAS attack given rally ban
A plumber, who allegedly voiced "extremist" views during an assault and criminal damage at a Tallaght IPAS centre, has been ordered to avoid rallies and social media posts inciting hate or violence. Declan Stubbs, 34, of Bolbrook Drive, Tallaght, Dublin, was told "people have a right to be in the State" by Judge Catherine Ghent at Dublin District Court on Saturday. The warning came at the end of a bail ruling after Mr Stubbs was charged with causing €1,000 worth of criminal damage by kicking the door of St John's House, on High Street, during a drink-fuelled incident on Friday. He also had a connected charge for trespassing at the IPAS centre, a minor assault of a named male there, resisting arrest, using threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour and being intoxicated to the extent of being a danger to himself and others. Garda Gavin Cribbin objected to bail due to the seriousness of the incident, telling the court that Mr Stubbs was accused of assaulting a security guard after he had to be removed from the building and kicked the door. The garda said Mr Stubbs was arrested at the scene, at the IPAS centre, and there was video footage. The court heard claims Mr Stubbs expressed extremist political, anti-immigration views. Garda Cribbin feared the accused would interfere with staff or residents at the centre. His phone had been seized. Defence counsel Kevin McCrave argued that his client could be freed on bail with conditions. The Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin (Image: Getty Images) He told Judge Ghent that the father-of-one had received bad personal news on Friday, was off his medication, and could not remember threatening anyone because he was intoxicated. Counsel added that his client worked full-time for a company and paid rent. Setting bail, Judge Ghent ordered Mr Stubbs not to go within three kilometres of the IPAS centre, except when he has to sign on three days a week at the nearby Garda station. He also has to provide his phone number. She ordered Mr Stubbs to refrain from extremist posts on social media, "for clarity, they are posts that would incite hate and/or violence." The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week The garda did not believe Mr Stubbs attended immigration rallies. However, the judge directed him not to attend rallies or marches reasonably considered as inciting hatred or violence. She let him know that breaking the bail terms would not be tolerated and would put him in a difficult situation. Disclosure of evidence to the defence was ordered. Mr Stubbs spoke only to consult with his barrister and to confirm he understood the judge's order. He was ordered to appear at Tallaght District Court on September 8 to enter a plea. Sign up to the Irish Mirror's Courts and Crime newsletter here and get breaking crime updates and news from the courts direct to your inbox.
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Proposed Ghent truck stop a no-go as courts back county commission decision
GHENT, WV (WVNS) – Local courts chose to concur with the decision of county leadership regarding a proposed truck stop location at the Ghent exit on I-77. Several public meetings were held to discuss the proposed project earlier in the year. Commission members said the community was largely opposed to the addition. Raleigh County Commission President, Greg Duckworth told 59News public outcry played a large role in the decision. DUI checkpoint to be held in Raleigh County 'Public input should weigh very heavy on rezoning, responsible development, and those kinds of things,' said Commissioner Duckworth. 'In this case the outcry, it wasn't even close. It was so lopsided the community just didn't want the truck stop there.' Raleigh County Attorney, Bill Roop said Go-Mart would still have the option to use the property commercially. Raleigh County Circuit Courts backed the commission's decision that the truck stop project is not viable under commercial use.'They did say that the property could be used as a commercial use such as a gas station or a convenient store,' said Roop. 'The problem was just the overnight parking of the tractor trailers.' Circuit courts have indicated the commission acted within its legal authority to block the project, though Roop told 59News that Go-Mart still has the opportunity to appeal the decision through the West Virginia Supreme Court should they choose to do so. Commission members have stated they will continue to support the planning and zoning process as a fair and structured method for consideration of land use and development. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
