Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Mar 2020
Missed Opportunities when Communicating with Limited English Proficient Patients during End of Life Conversations: Insights from Spanish and Chinese Speaking Medical Interpreters.
Research has shown that using medical interpreters in language-discordant patient-provider encounters improves outcomes. There is limited research evaluating the views of medical interpreters on best interpreter practices when they are used to break bad news or participate in end-of-life (EOL) conversations. ⋯ Medical interpreters provide literal interpretation of the spoken word. Because of cultural nuances in Chinese-speaking and Spanish-speaking patients/family members during EOL conversations, medical interpreters can translate the meaning of the message within a specific cultural context. Conducting premeetings and debriefings after the encounter are potentially important strategies to maximize communication during EOL conversations.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Mar 2020
Healthcare Utilization and End of Life Care Outcomes for Patients with Decompensated Cirrhosis based on Transplant Candidacy: End of Life Care for Patients with Cirrhosis.
Patients with decompensated cirrhosis have high rates of health care utilization at end of life (EOL). However, the impact of transplant candidacy on intensity of EOL care is currently unknown. ⋯ Patients with decompensated cirrhosis had intensive health care utilization during their last year of life regardless of transplant candidacy. Further work is needed to optimize their EOL care, particularly for patients who are ineligible for transplantation.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Mar 2020
Psychometric Properties of the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory MFI-20, Derived from Seven Samples.
Fatigue is a frequent symptom in patients suffering from chronic diseases. The Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20) is often used to measure fatigue. The aim of this article was to test the scale structure of the questionnaire. ⋯ The factorial validity of the MFI-20 is insufficient, an issue which is due, at least in part, to the inclusion of positively and negatively oriented items. Nevertheless, we recommend maintaining the scale structure of the MFI-20 and not searching for alternative structures.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Mar 2020
When patients take charge of opioids: Self-management concerns and practices among cancer outpatients in the context of opioid crisis.
With concerns about opioid prescribing practices prominent in the professional and lay literature, there is less focus on patients' self-management of opioids for cancer pain and potential safety risks. ⋯ Risks related to self-management of opioids among cancer outpatients, including potential overdose risks, need urgent attention. Interventions are needed for improving clinician-patient communication, patient education, safety, and access to effective nonopioid alternatives.