Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Dec 2022
ReviewThe Application of Minimal Clinically Important Differences in Palliative Research: Interpretation of Results of a Systematic Review.
Interpreting clinical meaningfulness of patient reported outcomes (PROs) in palliative care research is key in evidence-based practice. Minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) can help interpret whether changes in PROs are meaningful to patients. ⋯ Incorporating MCIDs affected the interpretation of almost all PROs in the systematic review. MCIDs are important measures of clinical meaningfulness for the interpretation of palliative care research involving PROs. Researchers should consider using instruments with well-established MCIDs and incorporate MCIDs, when available, in study design and interpretation.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Dec 2022
Specialty-Aligned Palliative Care: Responding to the Needs of a Tertiary Care Health System.
Expanding specialty palliative care within complex health systems involves consideration of patients' unmet needs, clinicians' perceptions of palliative care, and the availability of palliative care resources. Prior to this quality improvement (QI) project, palliative care services in our health system primarily served oncology patients. ⋯ Careful needs assessment and stakeholder engagement can result in goal-directed and data-driven expansion of palliative care services within tertiary health care systems.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Dec 2022
DYSPHAGIA IN SOLID TUMORS OUTSIDE THE HEAD, NECK OR UPPER GI TRACT: CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
Dysphagia is common in cancer, but underlying pathophysiology and manifestations within patients are unknown. ⋯ Dysphagia management in those with cancer requires robust assessment to uncover clinically important needs like food texture modification and safe swallowing advice. Better assessment tools should be developed for this purpose. Oral health problems should be routinely screened in this population since they exacerbate dysphagia.