Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jun 2015
Comparative StudyDifferences in Performance Status Assessment Among Palliative Care Specialists, Nurses, and Medical Oncologists.
The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) is one of the most commonly used assessments in oncology and palliative care (PC). However, the interobserver differences between medical oncologists and PC specialists have never been reported. ⋯ ECOG PS assessments by PC specialists and nurses were significantly higher than those of medical oncologists. Systematic efforts to increase regular interdisciplinary communications may help to bridge this gap.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jun 2015
Self- and Carer-Rated Pain in People With Dementia: Influences of Pain in Carers.
Although pain is frequent in people with dementia (PwD), evidence on the prevalence and factors influencing ratings of pain in dementia is limited. Carer variables are often associated with bias in proxy ratings of pain, but few studies have examined the role of caregiver pain in influencing these ratings. ⋯ Our results indicate that pain is very frequently reported in PwD and that the presence of pain is associated with high levels of anxiety. Caregiver pain affects carers' perceptions of pain in PwD.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jun 2015
Trajectories of Symptom Occurrence and Severity From Before Through Five Months After Lung Cancer Surgery.
Limited information is available about lung cancer patients' symptoms in the pre- and postoperative periods. ⋯ Changes in the occurrence and severity of these seven symptoms were variable. All seven symptoms occurred at relatively high rates and were of moderate severity. Findings can be used to identify patients who are at higher risk for more severe symptoms.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jun 2015
Eliciting Personhood Within Clinical Practice: Effects on Patients, Families, and Health Care Providers.
Failure to acknowledge personhood is often the cause of patient and family dissatisfaction. We developed the Patient Dignity Question (PDQ) as a simple means of inquiring about personhood: "What do I need to know about you as a person to give you the best care possible?" ⋯ The PDQ offers an effective way of eliciting personhood, enhancing patient, family, and HCP experience alike.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jun 2015
The Refusal of Palliative Radiation in Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Its Prognostic Implications.
Patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have limited survival. Population studies have evaluated the impact of radiation refusal in the curative setting; however, no data exist concerning the prognostic impact of radiation refusal in the palliative care setting. ⋯ Patients with metastatic NSCLC who refuse recommended palliative radiation have a poor survival. Radiation refusal or the recommendation against treatment can serve as a trigger for integrating palliative care services sooner and contributes greatly to prognostic awareness. Further investigation into this survival difference and the factors behind refusal are warranted.