Maria Wysocka

Bio: Maria Wysocka is an academic researcher from Medical University of Warsaw. The author has contributed to research in topics: Palliative care & Meaning of life. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 3 publications receiving 5 citations. Previous affiliations of Maria Wysocka include University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

Cancer patients and their caregivers in the face of opioid analgesic treatment — opportunities and threats to the treatment process

Abstract: Failure to alleviate cancer pain may deteriorate mental functioning, increase depression symptoms, result in the clinical diagnosis of demoralization syndrome nonadherence of treatment, functioning discipline, which together, may precipitate desire for euthanasia. Increased incidence of pain in patients with advanced or terminal disease has been reported to range from 39% to 66.4% depending on the stage of the cancer being experienced. Further, the progressive aging of societies and increased life expectancy in cancer patients has changed the dynamics of modern treatment processes. Despite their efficacy, the use of opioids as an analgesic treatment during terminal disease has been affected by the quality, availability, and negative reputation of these scheduled drugs. This review aims to describe the specific factors and limitations of opioid pain management from the perspective of patients and their caregivers. Further, we aim to identify and discuss the key factors which determine the success or failure of opioid use for the treatment of pain with links to internationally recognized recommendations and current research.

Is There a Connection Between Spiritual Transcendence and Quality of Life? A Cross-Sectional Survey Study in Patients Under the End-of-Life Care.

Abstract: Background: There is limited data available on the spiritual dimension of palliative care in Eastern Europe. In countries such as Poland, investigating spirituality and its essential aspects is further complicated because in a predominantly Catholic country, spirituality is mistakenly thought to be identical to religiousness. Aim: This study investigated the connection between spiritual transcendence, meaning in life, altruism, and the quality of life of cancer patients in end-of-life care in an Eastern Europe Country (Poland). Design: This cross-sectional study was based on 4 surveys. The Quality of Life Questionnaire MQOL-R, the Scale of Spiritual Transcendence, the Purpose in Life Questionnaire PIL-6, and the Altruism Scale were used. Setting/Participants: Data from 41 oncology patients receiving end-of-life care at home and in a stationary hospice was obtained. Results: Results indicate that there is a significant positive correlation between transcendence, spiritual growth, and global quality of life. There is also a positive correlation between altruism and the meaning of life, as well as between the meaning of life, spirituality and quality of life, while altruism is positively associated exclusively with spirituality. Conclusion: This study revealed that spiritual transcendence can be understood, according to Piedmont's theory, as a personality trait that allows the patients to cross the boundaries of their existence and identify subjectively important values in their life. It can be examined and developed not only in the context of the need but also as a predisposition and a resource of personhood.

Barriers to Effective Cancer Pain Management: A Survey of Hospitalized Cancer Patients in Australia

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine attitudinal barriers to effective pain management in a consecutively recruited cohort of 114 cancer patients from four Australian hospitals. When surveyed, 48% of this sample reported experiencing pain within the previous 24 hours. Of these, 56% reported this pain to be "distressing, horrible or excruciating," with large proportions indicating that this pain had affected their movement, sleep and emotional well-being. Three factors were identified as potentially impacting on patients' responses to pain—poor levels of patient knowledge about pain, low perceived control over pain, and a deficit in communication about pain. A trend for older patients to experience more severe pain was also identified. These older patients reported being more willing to tolerate pain and perceive less control over their pain. Suggestions are made for developing patient education programs and further research using concepts drawn from broader social and behavioral models.

Recommendations for assessment and management of pain in cancer patients

Abstract: 1Chair and Department of Palliative Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan 2Department of Quality of Life Research, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk 3Department of Interdisciplinary Intensive Therapy, Jagiellonian University — Collegium Medicum in Krakow 4Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy, Postgraduate Education Medical Centre in Warsaw 5Department of Palliative Care, Ludwik Rydygier Memorial, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz 6Department of Pain Assessment and Management, Jagiellonian University — Collegium Medicum in Krakow 7Department of Palliative Care, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Institute — Oncology Center in Warsaw 8Department of Gastrointestinal Tract Cancers, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Institute — Oncology Center in Warsaw 9Department of Lungs and Thoracic Cancers, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Centre and Institute in Warsaw

Impact of Cannabis Knowledge and Attitudes on Real-World Practice: An International Survey of Allergists.

Abstract: Increased cannabis consumption worldwide challenges allergists because of an upsurge in cannabis allergy and need to discuss cannabis with patients.To determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding cannabis among allergists and their approach to recognizing and diagnosing suspected cannabis allergy.The International Allergist Canna Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Survey was completed by members from 3 International Allergy Societies. Survey questions included the following: 13 on cannabis attitudes, 7 on cannabis knowledge, and 4 on real-world allergy practices. Knowledge level was dichotomized and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences TwoStep Cluster Analysis grouped participants by attitudes. Multivariate analysis determined the relationship of knowledge and attitude to practice delivery.Of 570 eligible surveys started, 445 (78.1%) were completed. Participants were 49.7% of female sex, 65.9% aged 24 to 56 years, approximately 70% in practice for more than or equal to 10 years, and 29.2% practicing in an area where cannabis use is illegal. Of the respondents, 43.1% reported consulting on patients with suspected cannabis allergy and 54.7% had undertaken skin prick testing, in vitro cannabis testing, or both. Statistically significant differences were found between the 3 societies for most variables analyzed. Analysis of attitudes revealed 3 clusters named Traditional, Progressive, and Unsure. Those with more progressive attitudes toward cannabis and who had more knowledge were more comfortable speaking to patients about cannabis and more often asked patients on how often and how they used cannabis (all P < .001).Varying knowledge and attitudes toward cannabis affecting comfort communicating with patients about cannabis were found in members of 3 allergy societies supporting the need for more cannabis research and education.

Exploring the medical cannabis prescribing behaviours of New Zealand physicians

Abstract: Abstract Introduction Many countries are changing their regulations for prescribing medical cannabis. As gatekeepers, physicians significantly impact patient access to cannabis treatments. It is important to explore how physicians view prescribing cannabis in terms of their existing beliefs, knowledge, possible concerns and personal perceptions. Methods Individual, semi‐structured telephone interviews were undertaken with 14 New Zealand physicians from various specialties. The interviews were thematically analysed using a phenomenological approach. Results The physician–patient relationship was of extreme importance in making prescription decisions, driven largely by trust in the patient. Barriers to prescribing included concern over possible side effects, the quality and standardisation of medication, uncertainty about indications and equity concerns from the high cost for lower socio‐economic patients. Some physicians held concerns over their liability and risks to their reputation if issues arose for patients. Discussion and Conclusion The way physicians regard prescribing medical cannabis is based on their personal beliefs and knowledge built up over their medical career. It is important that these are taken into consideration in the design of future guidelines to help alleviate uncertainties and reduce barriers for informed prescribing. While our research and previous research find that physicians generally will follow clinical guidelines based on institutional logics (i.e. the standardised approach to medicine), we find that physicians often allow their personal construals to determine their perceptions and prescribing behaviour to a considerable extent when they practice medicine. Our findings have implications for Continuing Medical Education, marketing and regulation for medical cannabis, especially about the wording of guideline adherence.

A review of cannabis allergy in the early days of legalization.

Abstract: Cannabis allergy is a burgeoning field; consequently, research is still in its infancy and allergists' knowledge surrounding this topic is limited. As cannabis legalization expands across the world, it is anticipated that there will be an increase in cannabis use. Thus, we hypothesize that a concomitant rise in the incidence of allergy to this plant can be expected. Initiatives aimed at properly educating health care professionals are therefore necessary. This review presents the most up-to-date information on a broad range of topics related to cannabis allergy. Although the clinical features of cannabis allergy are becoming more well described and recognized, the tools available to make a correct diagnosis are meager and often poorly accessible. In addition, research on cannabis allergy is still taking its first steps, and new and potentially groundbreaking findings in this field are expected to occur in the next few years. Finally, although therapeutic approaches are being developed, patient and physician education regarding cannabis allergy is certainly needed.