J Palliat Care
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Compliance with and understanding of advance directives among trainee doctors in the United Kingdom.
To investigate doctors' response to and understanding of the legal status of advance directives. ⋯ Advance directives requesting treatment can increase the level of care provided by the physician, however, most trainees chose a level of care different from that in the advance directive. Confusion exists among doctors about the legal status of advance directives, which limits their usefulness. Medical education needs to be improved to train doctors to deal with advance directives.
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The role of antibiotics in the management of infection-related symptoms in advanced cancer patients.
We prospectively evaluated the effect of antibiotic treatment on infection-related symptoms in patients with advanced cancer, in addition to assessing infection characteristics. ⋯ Antibiotic treatment appears to offer a mild improvement in infection-related symptoms. Patients reported the greatest improvement in dysuria, and physicians, in cough. Despite this symptomatic improvement, one quarter of the patients died within one week of antibiotic administration. Further comparative studies to evaluate symptomatic benefit, patient burden, and cost/benefit of antibiotic therapy in the treatment of infections in advanced cancer patients are required.
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This study sought to assess symptom severity and prevalence in people severely affected by multiple sclerosis (MS). ⋯ Many symptoms in people severely affected by MS are as highly prevalent and severe as those experienced by patients with advanced cancer. Increased disability is associated with increased severity for some symptoms.