Journal of pain and symptom management
-
Nausea and vomiting are symptoms frequently occurring in the presence of cancer. However, a patient with known cancer may also have a benign cause for nausea and vomiting. ⋯ The patient had severe postoperative gastroesophageal reflux and gastroparesis following proximal partial gastrectomy. Ultimately, the nausea and vomiting were totally relieved by completion gastrectomy.
-
J Pain Symptom Manage · Aug 2008
Clinical TrialMeeting the communication and information needs of chronic heart failure patients.
There is a lack of evidence on how best to meet policy guidance in fulfilling the information needs of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and their families. We aimed to generate guidance for appropriate information provision to CHF patients and their families through a cross-sectional qualitative methodology with constant comparison of emergent themes. Participants were 20 CHF patients (New York Heart Association Functional Classification III, III-IV, and IV); 11 family carers; six palliative care staff; and six cardiology staff. ⋯ We identified four types of barriers to the discussion of disease progression: disease-specific; patient-specific; specialism-specific; and staff time and resources. This is the first study to integrate cardiology, palliative care, and patient and family views to develop feasible recommendations on meeting information needs. Three recommendations for hospital-based clinical practice were generated from the data: (1) improved methods of providing information; (2) introduction of mutual education and joint working; and (3) development of care pathways and referral criteria.