Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jun 2015
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyFeasibility of Conducting a Palliative Care Randomized Controlled Trial in Children With Advanced Cancer: Assessment of the PediQUEST Study.
Pediatric palliative care randomized controlled trials (PPC-RCTs) are uncommon. ⋯ A PPC-RCT in children with advanced cancer was feasible, post-inclusion retention adequate; many families participated for altruistic reasons. Strategies that may further PPC-RCT feasibility include: increasing target population through large multicenter studies, approaching sicker patients, preventing exclusion of certain patient groups, and improving data collection at end of life.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jun 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialAdvance Care Planning Does Not Adversely Affect Hope or Anxiety Among Patients With Advanced Cancer.
Many physicians avoid advance care planning (ACP) discussions because they worry such conversations will lead to psychological distress. ⋯ Engaging in ACP with online planning tools increases knowledge without diminishing hope, increasing hopelessness, or inducing anxiety in patients with advanced cancer. Physicians need not avoid ACP out of concern for adversely affecting patients' psychological well-being.