Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Feb 2016
Validation of the Modified Glasgow Prognostic Score in Advanced Cancer Patients Receiving Palliative Care.
The modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) is a well-known marker of systemic inflammatory response previously associated with poor prognoses in cancer. ⋯ Systemic inflammatory response is associated with a low functional status, primary lung cancers, and tumors with hepatic metastasis. When starting PC, an mGPS definition may have clinical utility implications, by identifying three groups of patients with advanced cancer patients with distinct survival outcomes.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Feb 2016
Multicenter StudyQuality of Care and Satisfaction with Care on Palliative Care Units.
There is little research on quality of care specific to palliative care units (PCUs). ⋯ The elements identified support the delivery of quality care. They may act as a guide for those planning to develop PCUs and form the basis for measures of satisfaction with care.
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Compassion is frequently referenced as a hallmark of quality care by patients, health care providers, health care administrators, and policy makers. Despite its putative centrality, including its institution in recent health care reform, an empirical understanding based on the perspectives of patients, the recipients of compassion, is lacking-making compassion one of the most referenced yet poorly understood elements of quality care. ⋯ The components of the compassion model provide insight into how patients understand and experience compassion, providing the necessary empirical foundation to develop future research, measures, training, and clinical care based on this vital feature of quality care.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Feb 2016
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyBlinded Patient Preference for Morphine Compared to Placebo in the Setting of Chronic Refractory Breathlessness - An Exploratory Study.
Patients' preference for morphine therapy has received little attention in the setting of chronic refractory breathlessness. However, this is one important factor in considering longer term therapy. ⋯ Participants preferred morphine over placebo for the relief of chronic refractory breathlessness. Morphine offers clinically important improvement, but net benefit can be easily outweighed by side effects, reducing net benefits. Side effects require aggressive management to allow more patients to realize benefits.