Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Aug 2011
Assessing attitudes toward and beliefs about pain among Chinese patients with chronic pain: validity and reliability of the Chinese version of the Pain Beliefs and Perceptions Inventory (ChPBPI).
Research consistently has evidenced the reliability and validity of the Pain Beliefs and Perceptions Inventory (PBPI). The instrument, however, has not been tested for its applicability and validity in non-Western populations. ⋯ These findings support the factorial validity of the scales of the ChPBPI, and its reliability and construct validity. Now clinically relevant beliefs about pain can be assessed among Chinese patients with chronic pain.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Aug 2011
Mental health and exposure to patient distress among families of nursing home residents with advanced dementia.
The effect of suffering among patients with advanced dementia on their family members' mental health has not been investigated. ⋯ Family member exposure to distressing symptoms experienced by their loved ones with advanced dementia is not uncommon and is associated with worse mental health.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Aug 2011
Case ReportsChildhood sexual abuse in advanced cancer patients in the palliative care setting.
Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a common, distressing, yet rarely discussed topic in palliative care. The long-term effects of CSA can have a significant impact on patients' quality of life, particularly at the end of life. ⋯ Specifically, we will be discussing 1) the comorbidities, psychological distress, and family distress associated with CSA, 2) its impact on health care delivery, 3) an approach to initiating conversations regarding CSA, and 4) various management strategies. Successful management of CSA necessitates an interprofessional team approach and may help to improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
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Research on decision making suggests that a wide range of spontaneous processes may influence medical judgment. ⋯ When estimating patients' pain intensity, observers are driven by anchoring, a rule of thumb that might have pernicious consequences in terms of unwarranted overreliance on initial impressions and insufficient revision in light of relevant disconfirming evidence. Taking this heuristic into account might foster accurate pain assessment and treatment.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Aug 2011
What is the best practical survey method for the comparative assessment of palliative care services: results from a national quality assessment project in Korea.
There is an increasing need for the comparative assessment of palliative care services; however, few systematic empirical studies have been performed to determine the most feasible, representative, efficient survey method. ⋯ There were significant differences between the three methods. Despite the low response rate, our findings suggest that the bereaved family member survey has strengths in terms of feasibility and efficiency, and could be considered as a practical option for the comparative assessment of palliative care services by an independent body.