Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2025
Implementing the WHO Indicators for assessing palliative care development in three countries: a Do-It-Yourself approach.
Palliative care is an essential health service, with over 56.8 million people needing it yearly, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The World Health Assembly has recognized palliative care as an ethical responsibility and called for comprehensive primary health care. The World Health Organization has published a technical report titled "Assessing the Development of Palliative Care Worldwide," as a crucial first step in addressing palliative care. The report includes 14 indicators to help decision-makers identify service provision gaps and inform health priorities, piloted by WHO's ATLANTES in Benin, Morocco, and Uruguay as part of a global assessment. ⋯ The WHO approach has proven effective in identifying health system deficiencies and disseminating information about palliative care evaluation processes. The report provides a 'Do-it-yourself' approach, encouraging self-management without expert guidance.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2025
Review Meta AnalysisEfficacy and Safety of Pregabalin and Gabapentin for Pruritus: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Limited data existed on the efficacy and safety of novel antiepileptic drugs (pregabalin and gabapentin) in treating pruritus. ⋯ The novel antiepileptic drugs pregabalin and gabapentin demonstrated significant therapeutic value in the treatment of pruritus, with a favorable safety profile. Compared to commonly used pruritus treatments such as antihistamines and antidepressants, these medications offered a promising alternative.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2025
ReviewPalliative Care in Hematology: A Systematic Review of the Components, Effectiveness, and Implementation.
While the evidence supporting the benefits of integration of palliative care into cancer care for patients and informal caregivers is growing, it poses challenges for hematological cancer patients due to rapidly changing disease trajectories, uncertain prognosis, and diverse care needs. ⋯ While palliative care interventions are found to improve patient outcomes, future research is needed on the effectiveness of secondary palliative care interventions, integrating primary palliative care, and more reliable and frequent implementation measurements. More focus on informal caregivers and resource allocation based on patient needs is warranted.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2025
Discussion of Spirituality in Family Conferences of Infants with Neurologic Conditions.
Spirituality serves as a mechanism to understand and cope with serious illness, yet little is known about how families and clinicians incorporate spirituality in pediatric family conferences. ⋯ Spirituality was discussed in approximately one-third of family conferences. Clinician engagement with spirituality discussion was variable. These findings highlight a need for training on when and how to discuss spirituality in conversations with families of seriously ill infants.