Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Oct 2015
Caregiver Expectations: Predictors of a Worse Than Expected Caregiving Experience at the End of Life.
The gap between informal caregivers' expectations of caregiving at the end of life and their actual caregiving experience has important affective and behavioral consequences. ⋯ Caregiver expectations represent a novel and important focus for investigation into the caregiver experience. Explicitly eliciting expectations may in future lead to ways of better supporting caregivers.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Oct 2015
A Quantitative Study of Triggered Palliative Care Consultation for Hospitalized Patients With Advanced Cancer.
Unplanned cancer-related hospital admissions often herald entry into the final phase of life. Hospitalized patients with advanced cancer have a high symptom burden and a short life expectancy, which may warrant palliative care intervention. ⋯ Although TPCC was viewed favorably, implementation was logistically challenging because of short stays, high-acuity symptoms, and individual provider resistance. TPCC improved patients' understanding of their cancer. This population demonstrates high palliative care needs, warranting further research into how best to deliver care.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Oct 2015
Multicenter Study Comparative Study Observational StudyAccuracy of a Diagnostic Algorithm to Diagnose Breakthrough Cancer Pain as Compared with Clinical Assessment.
Breakthrough cancer pain (BTCP) is a heterogeneous condition, and there are no internationally agreed standardized criteria to diagnose it. There are published algorithms to assist with diagnosis, but these differ in content. There are no comparative data to support use. ⋯ The diagnostic breakthrough pain algorithm had a good positive predictive value but limited sensitivity using a cutoff score of "mild" to define controlled background pain. When the cutoff level was changed to moderate, the sensitivity increased, but specificity reduced. A comprehensive clinical assessment remains the preferred method to diagnose BTCP.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Oct 2015
Multicenter StudyUse of the Preparedness for Caregiving Scale in Palliative Care: A Rasch Evaluation Study.
Studies have shown that family carers who feel more prepared for the caregiver role tend to have more favorable experiences. Valid and reliable methods are needed to identify family carers who may be less prepared for the role of supporting a person who needs palliative care. ⋯ The PCS is valid for use among family carers in palliative care. Data provide support for its use across age and gender groups as well as across the two language versions.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Oct 2015
Religion, Spirituality, and the Hidden Curriculum: Medical Student and Faculty Reflections.
Religion and spirituality play an important role in physicians' medical practice, but little research has examined their influence within the socialization of medical trainees and the hidden curriculum. ⋯ Religion/spirituality has a largely unstudied but possibly influential role in medical student socialization. Future study is needed to characterize its function within the hidden curriculum.