Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2021
How to Be a Friend-Who-is-a-Physician Without Being a Physician Friend.
As physicians, we are often asked for advice when loved ones become ill. Sometimes, the request advice is explicit; often, it is more supportive in nature and this may blur the boundary between being a friend and being a physician. Through various excerpts from social medial exchange, this narrative discusses the experience with a friend who was diagnosed with head and neck cancer during my Palliative Medicine Fellowship.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2021
Development of a Novel Communication Liaison Program to Support COVID-19 Patients and their Families.
In the spring of 2020, our hospital faced a surge of critically ill coronavirus disease 2019 patients, with intensive care unit (ICU) occupancy peaking at 204% of the baseline maximum capacity. In anticipation of this surge, we developed a remote communication liaison program to help the ICU and palliative care teams support families of critically ill patients. ⋯ We report here the primary elements needed to reproduce and scale this program in other hospitals facing similar ICU surges, including a checklist for replication (Appendix I). Keys to success include strong logistical support, clinical reference material designed for rapid evolution, and a liaison team structure with peer coaching.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2021
Review Meta AnalysisClinically Significant Depressive Symptoms are Prevalent in People with Extremely Short Prognoses - A Systematic Review.
Currently, systematic evidence of the prevalence of clinically significant depressive symptoms in people with extremely short prognoses is not available to inform its global burden, assessment, and management. ⋯ Clinically, significant depressive symptoms were prevalent in people with advanced life-limiting illnesses and extremely short prognoses. Clinicians need to be proactive in the recognition and assessment of these symptoms to allow for timely intervention.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2021
Review Meta AnalysisPrevalence of Fatigue in Patients with Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Fatigue is a particularly common and troubling symptom that has a negative impact on quality of life throughout all phases of treatment and stages of the illness among patients with cancer. ⋯ This meta-analysis highlights the importance of developing optimal monitoring strategies to reduce fatigue and improve the quality of life of patients with cancer.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2021
Meta AnalysisEfficacy and safety of opioids in treating cancer-related dyspnea: A systematic review and meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials.
Dyspnea is one of the most distressing symptoms encountered by advanced cancer patients. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the role of opioids in the management of cancer-related dyspnea. ⋯ Our systematic review and meta-analysis indicated low quality evidence for a small positive effect of opioids in cancer-related dyspnea. Evidence for safety is insufficient as comprehensive adverse events were not adequately reported in studies.