Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Oct 2015
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyPractical Dyspnea Assessment: Relationship Between the 0-10 Numerical Rating Scale and the Four-Level Categorical Verbal Descriptor Scale of Dyspnea Intensity.
Measurement of dyspnea is important for clinical care and research. ⋯ There is strong correlation between VDS and NRS measures for dyspnea. Proposed practical cutpoints for the relationship between the dyspnea VDS and NRS are 0 for none, 1-4 for mild, 5-8 for moderate, and 9-10 for severe.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Oct 2015
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyThe Complementary Nature of Patient-Reported Outcomes and Adverse Event Reporting in Cooperative Group Oncology Clinical Trials: A Pooled Analysis (NCCTG N0591).
Clinical trials use clinician-graded adverse events (AEs) and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) to describe symptoms. ⋯ These results support previous work and an a priori hypothesis that AEs and PROs measure differing aspects of the disease experience and are complementary.
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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
Multicenter StudyMedical Oncology Patients: Are They Offered Help and Does It Provide Relief?
Identifying modifiable gaps in the symptom management pathway, as perceived by patients, is the first step to relieving patient suffering. ⋯ Quality improvement initiatives must focus primarily on improving providers' awareness of their patients' symptoms and ensuring that patients are subsequently offered help.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Oct 2015
Characteristics of Hospice Programs With Problematic Live Discharges.
Little is known about how hospice live discharges vary by hospice providers' tax status and chain affiliation. ⋯ Problematic patterns of live discharges are higher among for-profit providers, especially those not affiliated with a hospice chain.