Journal of palliative medicine
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Internationally, use of lidocaine infusions to treat cancer pain varies by center. Existing systematic reviews do not adequately inform use of lidocaine in cancer pain. ⋯ Based on the current available evidence, lidocaine infusion could be considered in refractory cancer pain where agents with level 1 evidence are ineffective. Further research is necessary to understand the protocol and population in which lidocaine may improve cancer pain and capitalize on the promising opportunities identified.
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The use of medical cannabis is increasing significantly throughout the United States in spite of limited and sometimes contradictory data about its effectiveness. Palliative care providers are being asked to consider cannabis as part of symptom-directed treatment regimens although many providers have limited experience recommending medical cannabis and were trained before it was commercially available. This article seeks to dispel myths about medical cannabis and provides a balanced view of the benefits and burdens of this therapeutic option, providing evidence where it exists and offering practicing clinicians guidance on conditions in which medical cannabis is likely to be helpful or burdensome.
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Most seriously ill older adults visit the emergency department (ED) near the end of life, yet no feasible method exists to empower them to formulate their care goals in this setting. ⋯ An intervention to empower seriously ill older adults to understand the importance of future care planning in the ED was developed, and they found it acceptable.
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Many of the leading causes of infant mortality are diagnosed prenatally, presenting providers with the ability to present perinatal palliative care planning as an option. ⋯ The authors used their experience with the health care system to draw implications for practice from the focus group and interview data, which care can serve to promote women feeling cared for and cared about, as well as promote opportunities for hope during a fragile pregnancy.