J Palliat Care
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To identify changes in distress as reported by patients in a home palliative care program over a 2-week period. ⋯ The DT is a useful tool for screening severity and changes in psychological distress as well as sources of distress. The DT detected change in self-reported distress within a short treatment period, indicating success or failure of the palliative care treatment approaches.
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Care for palliative care patients is often provided by unpaid caregivers (eg, family members) who take care of the patient's daily needs (eg, bathing, dressing). Family members of palliative care patients are involved in numerous ways. These tasks and responsibilities can make them feel burdened and even overburdened. ⋯ Findings in the palliative care patients' medical records are inasmuch important, as they point at the health-care staff's awareness of possible weights and tasks that might be burdensome for patients and their families. Attention should be drawn to the documentation of medical records in order to identify recurrent difficulties and to help discuss these.