Articles: palliative-care.
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Health Technol Assess · May 2021
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyPalliative radiotherapy combined with stent insertion to reduce recurrent dysphagia in oesophageal cancer patients: the ROCS RCT.
Most patients with oesophageal cancer present with incurable disease. For those with advanced disease, the mean survival is 3-5 months. Treatment emphasis is therefore on effective palliation, with the majority of patients requiring intervention for dysphagia. Insertion of a self-expanding metal stent provides rapid relief but dysphagia may recur within 3 months owing to tumour progression. Evidence reviews have called for trials of interventions combined with stenting to better maintain the ability to swallow. ⋯ Further studies are required to identify interventions that improve stent efficacy and to address the multidimensional challenges of eating and nutrition in this patient population.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · May 2021
ReviewHuman Connection and Technology Connectivity: A Systematic Review of Available Telehealth Survey Instruments.
The current upsurge in telehealth use in palliative and hospice care warrants consideration of patient, family caregiver, and interdisciplinary palliative perspectives on telehealth modality and communication experiences. Currently, telehealth experiences and encounters are being described but not yet extensively evaluated by palliative care teams. ⋯ Palliative care teams may consider familiarity with telehealth survey instrument as an essential component to progress from description of telehealth use to evaluation of telehealth encounters. Current survey instrument outcome reports do not represent inclusivity or diversity, although telehealth is now being clinically applied across settings.
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Palliative medicine · May 2021
ReviewMissing the human connection: A rapid appraisal of healthcare workers' perceptions and experiences of providing palliative care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During infectious epidemics, healthcare workers are required to deliver traditional care while facing new pressures. Time and resource restrictions, a focus on saving lives and new safety measures can lead to traditional aspects of care delivery being neglected. ⋯ The COVID-19 pandemic prohibited the delivery of traditional care as practical barriers restricted human connections. Staff prioritised communication and comfort orientated tasks to re-establish compassion at end-of-life and displayed resilience by adjusting their goals.
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Palliative medicine · May 2021
Review Case ReportsImmunotherapy associated pain crisis and the haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis syndrome in advanced melanoma: Case report and review of the literature.
Immunotherapy is increasingly used in the management of early and advanced malignancy. There is limited data regarding the associations between immunotherapy, malignancy, pain and haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. ⋯ There is laboratory evidence suggesting an association between immunotherapy, malignancy, pain and haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Further clinical evidence is required in order to understand these intersecting phenomena.