Journal of palliative medicine
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Previous studies have reported survival estimates in palliative populations using the Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) (where 100=best status, 0=death). However, little research has examined the association of the PPS with hazard of death in ambulatory populations. ⋯ The PPS was significantly associated with hazard of death in ambulatory cancer patients; the relative hazard of death increased based on lowered PPS scores. Providers should consider broadening its use to include patients throughout their disease trajectory.
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Limited research in Taiwan and Europe suggest that hope is inversely correlated with certain dimensions of the pain experience. However, the relationship between hope and pain among oncology outpatients in the United States has not been evaluated. The aims of this study were to investigate the relationship between hope and cancer pain, after accounting for key psychological, demographic, and clinical characteristics. ⋯ While an association exists between the patients' experience of pain and levels of hope in this study, adjustment for depression and spiritual well being eliminates the relationship initially observed. Although the causal relationships have yet to be determined, in our study hope had a stronger connection to psycho-spiritual factors, than to pain experiences or severity.
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Although many patients enter hospice close to death, some enroll for more than six months. In 2011 the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) required that these long-stay patients receive a face-to-face visit by a physician or nurse practitioner to ensure that they continue to meet eligibility criteria. ⋯ The face-to-face requirement may decrease hospice discharges, contrary to its intention.
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The medical literature encourages primary care pediatricians (PCPs) to play a role in the care of patients who are dying. Actual involvement has not been investigated. ⋯ The interviews suggest limited involvement by PCPs in care at the end of life and subsequent bereavement. Parents overall seem to accept this role. Further research is needed to examine these observations from the perspective of PCPs.