Palliative medicine
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Palliative medicine · Jun 2021
Disparities in access to palliative care facilities for patients with and without cancer: A retrospective review.
To date, little is known about the characteristics of patients who are admitted to a palliative care bed for end-of-life care. Previous data suggest that there are disparities in access to palliative care services based on age, sex, diagnosis, and socioeconomic status, but it is unclear whether these differences impact access to a palliative care bed. ⋯ Patients without cancer have reduced access to palliative care facilities at end-of-life compared to patients with cancer; at the time of their application and admission, they are "sicker" with very low performance status and poorer prognoses. Further studies investigating disease-specific clinical variables and support requirements may provide more insights into these observed disparities.
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Palliative medicine · May 2021
Review Case ReportsImmunotherapy associated pain crisis and the haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis syndrome in advanced melanoma: Case report and review of the literature.
Immunotherapy is increasingly used in the management of early and advanced malignancy. There is limited data regarding the associations between immunotherapy, malignancy, pain and haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. ⋯ There is laboratory evidence suggesting an association between immunotherapy, malignancy, pain and haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Further clinical evidence is required in order to understand these intersecting phenomena.
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Palliative medicine · May 2021
Randomized Controlled TrialCaregiver-guided pain coping skills training for patients with advanced cancer: Results from a randomized clinical trial.
Pain is a major concern among patients with advanced cancer and their family caregivers. Evidence suggests that pain coping skills training interventions can improve outcomes, however they have rarely been tested in this population. ⋯ This is the first study to test a pain coping skills intervention targeted to patients and caregivers facing advanced cancer. Findings suggest that pain education provides benefits for patients and caregivers, and coping skills training may be beneficial for caregivers. Further research is needed to optimize the benefits of education and pain coping skills training for improving cancer pain outcomes.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02430467, Caregiver-Guided Pain Management Training in Palliative Care.
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Palliative medicine · May 2021
Mutual support between patients and family caregivers in palliative care: A systematic review and narrative synthesis.
Patients in palliative care are usually conceptualised as recipients of support from family caregivers. Family caregivers in palliative care are typically defined as providers of support to patients. Little is known about reciprocal dimensions of support provision between patients and family caregivers in palliative care. ⋯ Few studies have focused in whole or in part, on reciprocal dimensions of support provision between patients with advancing non-curable conditions, and their family caregivers in palliative care. Further research is required to identify key domains of mutual support between patients and family caregivers in palliative care.