Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Mar 2024
Questionnaires about the End of Life for Cancer Patients - Is the Response Burden Acceptable?
Research about the end of life with the help of patient-reported outcomes in vulnerable populations such as cancer patients is needed but is potentially burdensome and can therefore raise concerns. ⋯ The reported response burden seems acceptable since it was generally low. However, a subgroup did report some burden. Minimising burden and enhancing participants' benefits without compromising the research quality should further influence study designs in this field.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Mar 2024
Case ReportsThe Complex Ethical and Moral Experience of Left Ventricular Assist Device Deactivation.
The left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a fully implantable cardiac replacement device that can complicate the process of dying. We present a case of a patient who attempted to deactivate the LVAD without the support of his medical team. ⋯ We then explore the experience of clinicians and the public encountering this unique technology across clinical contexts. We herein present a novel and possibly controversial analysis of the moral complexities of LVAD deactivation and suggest that clinicians be transparent about these complexities with patients and families.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Mar 2024
Review Meta AnalysisUnmet supportive care needs among cancer patients in Sub-Saharan African countries: a mixed method systematic review and meta-analysis.
Supportive cancer care is vital to reducing the current disparities in cancer outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), including poor survival and low quality of life, and ultimately achieving equity in cancer care. This is the first review aimed to evaluate the extent of unmet supportive care needs and identify their contributing factors among patients with cancer in SSA. ⋯ In SSA, optimal cancer care provision was low, up to two-thirds of patients reported unmet needs for one or more domains. Strengthening efforts to develop comprehensive and integrated systems for supportive care services are keys to improving the clinical outcome, survival, and quality of life of cancer patients in SSA.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Mar 2024
Pilot Implementation of the Responding to Urgency of Need in Palliative Care (RUN-PC) Triage Tool.
Specialist palliative care services must balance provision of needs-based care within resource restraints. The Responding to Urgency of Need in Palliative Care (RUN-PC) Triage Tool is a novel, evidence-based, 7-item prioritization tool, with recommended response times for any given score. ⋯ The RUN-PC Triage Tool is feasible to implement, with high clinician acceptability and virtually no additional time required. The recommended response times are feasible and highlight target areas for improvement. Implementation of the tool enables palliative care services to better characterize their referral population and, in turn, improve transparency around access to care.