J Palliat Care
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It is difficult to provide optimal care to people with advanced cancer presenting to emergency departments (EDs). Recent data suggest that the ED environment, the skills and priorities of treating staff, and the lack of clear communication related to goals of care contribute to the difficulty. By exploring the views of emergency, palliative care (PC), and oncology clinicians on the care of these patients, this study aimed to describe potential solutions. ⋯ The provision of care to patients with advanced cancer in the ED occurs across sites, across disciplines, and across teams. To make improvements to care, we must address these complexities. The improvements suggested in this study place the patient (and the patient's family) at the centre of care.
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Comparative Study
Is performance status associated with symptom scores? A population-based longitudinal study among cancer outpatients.
Symptom scores and performance status are both important measures for patients with cancer. However, since performance status is not often part of routinely collected data, there is interest in exploring whether it can be calculated from symptom scores. ⋯ Performance status is an important measurement that cannot be substituted or captured with symptom scores; it is important for healthcare providers to record performance scores on a regular basis.
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By examining clinical parameters associated with survival time and analyzing patients' survival times using prognostic scores, this study aimed to provide helpful information related to the treatment of terminal cancer patients. ⋯ Performance decline is a major factor affecting survival time. The PaP is the most useful tool for predicting four-week survival, with an optimal value of over 10.