Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
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Support Care Cancer · Jan 2011
How do non-physician clinicians respond to advanced cancer patients' negative expressions of emotions?
Patients with advanced cancer often experience negative emotion; clinicians' empathic responses can alleviate patient distress. Much is known about how physicians respond to patient emotion; less is known about non-physician clinicians. Given that oncology care is increasingly provided by an interdisciplinary team, it is important to know more about how patients with advanced cancer express emotions to non-physician clinicians (NPCs) and how NPCs respond to those empathic opportunities. ⋯ Patients expressed emotional concerns to NPCs typically in the form of anger; most emotions were moderately severe, with no statistical differences among types of NPC. On average, NPCs responded to patient emotion with empathic language only 30% of the time. A better understanding of NPC-patient interactions can contribute to improved communication training for NPCs and, ultimately, to higher quality patient care in cancer.
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Support Care Cancer · Jan 2011
Determination of malnourishment in the head and neck cancer patient: assessment tools and nutrition education of radiation oncologists.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate current assessment practices of malnourishment by radiation oncologists among the head and neck cancer patient population. ⋯ Assessment or screening for malnourishment in the head and neck cancer patient should be a routine part of the initial consultation. Radiation oncologists and their medical team, including nutritionists, should use an appropriate nutrition screening and assessment tool in addition to the body weight as an indicator of malnourishment. Nutrition education provided to radiation oncologists should be improved to better communicate the positive effects of nutrition interventions on prognosis.
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Support Care Cancer · Dec 2010
Pharmaceutical interventions facilitate premedication and prevent opioid-induced constipation and emesis in cancer patients.
Opioid analgesics possess a number of side effects, among which constipation and nausea/vomiting occur most frequently. Although pretreatment with laxatives and antiemetics for the prophylaxis of opioid-induced constipation and nausea/vomiting, respectively, is recommended, such side effects are still a matter of concern in clinical setting. ⋯ Intervention to promote prophylactic medication was highly effective in reducing the risk of opioid-induced constipation and nausea/vomiting.
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Support Care Cancer · Nov 2010
Multicenter StudyClinical use of oral laxatives in palliative care services in Spain.
This study was aimed at evaluating the clinical use of laxatives in palliative care treatment, their overall effectiveness, and their relationship to opioid treatment. ⋯ The clinical practice of the use of oral laxatives in palliative care in our environment differs widely from that recommended in the literature. Further studies are required to confirm if a revision of clinical guidelines are required.
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Support Care Cancer · Nov 2010
Preference of place for end-of-life cancer care and death among bereaved Japanese families who experienced home hospice care and death of a loved one.
The aim of this study was to clarify factors related to the preference of place for end-of-life cancer care and death, from the perspective of the bereaved family. ⋯ Home hospice services need to be developed in Japan so that family support programs can be initiated early enough to support the family burden of household maintenance and caring for the patient. Quality improvement of home hospice services will support patients and families through end-of-life care and facilitate a good death at home.