European journal of cancer care
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Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) · Sep 2001
The knowledge and attitudes of surgical staff towards the use of opioids in cancer pain management: can the Hospital Palliative Care Team make a difference?
The principles of cancer pain management are well established, but evidence suggests that these are not incorporated into daily practice and patients are still in pain. Deficiencies in knowledge and inappropriate attitudes towards the use of opioids may partially explain why the management of cancer pain is still such a widespread problem. This study assessed the knowledge and attitudes of 135 nursing and medical staff working in a surgical unit, before and after working with a newly established Hospital Palliative Care Team. ⋯ Results of the follow-up survey indicated that the knowledge and attitudes of doctors and nurses had improved after working with the team, but that this probably occurred as a result of good working relationships and case discussions rather than through formal teaching. The study provided a useful method of identifying deficiencies in knowledge and attitude among staff, and helped to raise awareness of the problem of cancer pain management. Our challenge now is to work with staff to ensure that positive changes in knowledge and attitudes are translated into the everyday practice of hospital nurses and doctors caring for patients with cancer.
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Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) · Mar 2001
ReviewScreening for depression in palliative care patients: a review.
Depression is a significant symptom for 25% of patients admitted to a palliative care unit, but many of these symptoms are not identified and therefore not treated. Reasons for failure to diagnose depression are misconceptions regarding low mood as being a normal part of a terminal illness and also the patients' reluctance to disclose their thoughts and feelings. ⋯ In an effort to improve the detection of depression, many professionals are using rating scales or tools in order to improve the diagnosis and treatment. This review discusses the complex issues of diagnosis of depression and highlights why certain tools may not be so useful or applicable in the palliative care population.
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Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) · Dec 2000
Case ReportsMetastatic breast cancer in pregnancy: first case of chemotherapy with docetaxel.
The focus of this paper is a case study of a woman in the first trimester of pregnancy who presented with metastatic breast cancer. The bony spread of the metastases was rapid and it was necessary to treat the patient as soon as possible after the period of organogenesis (days 18-60 of human gestation). This stage is the phase of greatest sensitivity of teratogens and the malformations are observed most often. ⋯ The woman finished her treatment in puerperium and she received three cycles of docetaxel. The patient has been receiving vinorelbine (one cycle every 2 weeks) for 2 years; her last follow-up was good and showed that the progression of the metastases had stopped. The daughter's psychophysical development was normal.