The Hospice journal
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The Hospice journal · Jan 1990
Cancer pain intensity measurement: concurrent validity of three tools--finger dynamometer, pain intensity number scale, visual analogue scale.
Although the visual analogue scale (VAS) and number scales are known to be valid and sensitive measures of pain intensity, some older individuals are unable to use them. For individuals who lack the ability to use these scales, valid alternative measures of pain intensity would be useful for research and clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to examine the concurrent validity of a new measure of pain intensity, the Finger Dynamometer (FD), in a sample of 15 adults with advanced stage cancer pain. ⋯ Strong correlation was found between the VAS and the PINS (gamma = .77 to .89; p less than .001). Findings support the concurrent validity of the VAS and the PINS but indicate that further research is necessary to establish the psychometric properties of the FD as a measure of pain intensity in chronic pain models, such as cancer pain. Recommendations are made regarding important variables to be considered in further research with the FD.
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Two complementary studies examined social structural dimensions of discussions and decisions to enter hospice care. In Study 1, intensive interviews were conducted with caregivers, patients, "other" decision makers, and physicians for 150 hospice cases. In Study 2, survivors of cancer deaths were surveyed by mail. ⋯ Data from Study 2 showed the importance of the timing of communications about hospice. Both studies revealed high levels of awareness of hospice care, as well as how social networks, particularly friends and relatives, serve to communicate information about hospice. Implications for the timing of communications related to hospice care, as well as for future research and models of decision-making are discussed.