Seminars in oncology nursing
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To provide a review of the development and impact of palliative care; to discuss quality of lie as a framework for guiding clinical practice and research in palliative care; and to identify future trends that are likely to affect palliative care services. ⋯ Incorporation of palliative care principles across the cancer illness trajectory requires an attitude shift by all members of the multidisciplinary team.
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To examine the issues and methods in measuring the cost-effectiveness of palliative care for incurable cancer. ⋯ Nurses influence both the cost and the effectiveness of palliative care. Cost of nursing services is often factored into the numerator of the cost-effective equation. Effectiveness of nursing care should be factored into the denominator and can be measured in multiple ways, including the impact on patients' quality of life. Nurses can play an active role in assessing and advocating for the cost-effectiveness of palliative interventions.