Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2011
Methylnaltrexone in the treatment of opioid-induced constipation in cancer patients receiving palliative care: willingness-to-pay and cost-benefit analysis.
When laxative regimens have failed, methylnaltrexone may be indicated for the relief of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in patients with advanced illness receiving palliative care. ⋯ The present CBA provides pharmacoeconomic evidence for the adoption of methylnaltrexone for treating OIC in terminally ill cancer patients.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2011
Coping profiles common to older African American cancer survivors: relationships with quality of life.
Cancer survivors use distinct sets of coping behaviors that vary in their associations with psychological health and quality of life. However, existing research has largely focused on Caucasian and middle-class subjects. ⋯ The findings from this study lend support for examining coping profiles and health outcomes among African American cancer survivors. This research also suggests that these profiles vary on cultural factors. This information should prove useful to researchers as they develop culturally appropriate interventions for this underserved population.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2011
Nurse practitioner-based models of specialist palliative care at home: sustainability and evaluation of feasibility.
Patients with serious medical problems who live at home may not be able to access specialist-level palliative care when the need develops. Nurse practitioner (NP)-based models may be able to increase the availability of specialist care in the community. ⋯ This experience suggests that a PHCT-NP-SW model is not sustainable in this urban environment through reimbursement-based revenue, whereas a Hospice-NP model for hospice can be sustainable based on the growth of hospice census. The PHCT-NP-SW model appears to offer benefits, and additional efforts are needed to establish the funding mechanisms to sustain such programs, create mixed models of hospice and nonhospice funding, or provide a basis for sustainability through cost reduction.