Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jul 2017
Multicenter StudyImpact of Undertreatment of Cancer Pain with Analgesic Drugs on Patient Outcomes: A Nationwide Survey of Outpatient Cancer Patient Care in Taiwan.
Undertreatment of cancer pain among outpatient cancer patients needs to be addressed to enhance care and improve patients' quality of life (QoL). ⋯ One-third of Taiwanese outpatients experienced pain because of undertreatment. Awareness of the prevalence of undertreatment of cancer pain and identification of the vulnerable subjects may assist in enhancing patient care and improving patient's QoL.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jun 2017
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyComparing the palliative care needs of those with cancer to those with common non-cancer serious illness.
Historically, palliative care has been focused on those with cancer. Although these ties persist, palliative care is rapidly integrating into the care of patients with common, non-cancer serious illnesses. Despite this, the bulk of literature informing palliative care practices stems from the care of cancer patients. ⋯ Patients with COPD, ESRD, and HF were less functional and more likely to be hospitalized at time of referral to palliative care than cancer patients. These findings may be reflective of the slower and more varied trajectory of non-cancer serious illness. One aim of palliative care for those with non-cancer severe illness should be directed toward improving and assisting with functionality and decreasing frequency of hospital admissions. These interventions could take place in the palliative care office, but could also be integrated into hospital discharge plans.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Apr 2017
Multicenter StudyImplementation and Impact of Patient Lay Navigator-led Advance Care Planning Conversations.
Advance care planning (ACP) improves alignment between patient preferences for life-sustaining treatment and care received at end of life (EOL). ⋯ A navigator-led ACP program was feasible and may be associated with lower rates of resource utilization near EOL.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Apr 2017
Multicenter StudyCognitive Interview-based Validation of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE) in Adolescents with Cancer.
The National Cancer Institute created the Patient-Reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE) to allow direct input on symptomatic adverse events (AEs) from adult patients in oncology trials. ⋯ This study extends use of the adult PRO-CTCAE for adolescents as young as 16 years and proposes new questions for seven new symptomatic AEs and a parent-proxy version of PRO-CTCAE. Additional testing of the new questions and alternative language for more challenging PRO-CTCAE items is recommended in adults.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Apr 2017
Multicenter StudyMeasuring Advance Care Planning: Optimizing the Advance Care Planning Engagement Survey.
A validated 82-item Advance Care Planning (ACP) Engagement Survey measures a broad range of behaviors. However, concise surveys are needed. ⋯ Shorter versions of the ACP Engagement Survey are valid, internally consistent, and able to detect change across a broad range of ACP behaviors for English and Spanish speakers. Shorter ACP surveys can efficiently measure broad ACP behaviors in research and clinical settings.