Palliative medicine
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Palliative medicine · Sep 2012
ReviewEvidence for orthopaedic surgery in the treatment of metastatic bone disease of the extremities: a review article.
The decision to offer orthopaedic surgery to patients with metastatic bone disease is often difficult and requires an understanding of the underlying disease, the patient's needs or wishes, the expected outcomes and the principles of surgery. ⋯ Timely and appropriate surgical intervention reliably alleviates pain and improves quality of life and can be undertaken with few complications in most patients. Although most procedures can be undertaken by non-specialists, consultation with other members of the multidisciplinary team is mandatory, and in complex cases, referral to a specialist orthopaedic oncology centre can be helpful.
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Palliative medicine · Sep 2012
Drug interactions in palliative care--it's more than cytochrome P450.
This study aims to identify the combination of substances with high potential for drug interactions in a palliative care setting and to provide concise recommendations for physicians. ⋯ Data on the potential for drug-drug interactions in palliative case is extremely scarce, but drug interactions can be limited if a few facts are considered. A synopsis of the findings of these studies is presented as concise recommendation to minimize drug interactions.
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Palliative medicine · Sep 2012
Motor Neurone Disease family carers' experiences of caring, palliative care and bereavement: an exploratory qualitative study.
Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a neurodegenerative disease with a sudden onset, a rapid progression, a profile of complex disabilities and fatal consequences. Caring for a person with MND is an unremitting commitment, yet little research has examined the experiences and needs of carers for palliative care and bereavement care. ⋯ The study provided a basis for more research into the role palliative care services has in supporting MND carers before and after the death of their spouse and in particular the provision of more tailored respite and bereavement support.