Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Dec 2012
Review Meta AnalysisComing to your senses: detecting taste and smell alterations in chemotherapy patients. A systematic review.
Taste alterations (TAs) and smell alterations (SAs) are frequently observed, yet understudied side effects in chemotherapy patients, considerably affecting patients' quality of life. ⋯ Current research results do not allow firm conclusions concerning the occurrence, severity, and quality of TAs and SAs under different chemotherapy regimens. Patient information on TAs and SAs, therefore, largely is based on the clinician's experience. In the palliative care setting, TAs and SAs need further investigation in the light of their importance in preventing food-related problems and maintaining a reasonable quality of life.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Dec 2012
ReviewEnhancing patient-professional communication about end-of-life issues in life-limiting conditions: a critical review of the literature.
The End of Life Care Strategy for England highlights effective communication between patients and professionals as key to facilitating patient involvement in advance care planning. The strategy emphasizes that, currently, communication in patients with noncancer life-limiting conditions is likely to be inadequate, and research has identified that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure have a poor understanding of their condition. ⋯ Although limited, evidence relating to the development and evaluation of communication interventions for patients with life-limiting illnesses would suggest that a successful intervention should include combined components of training, patient discussion, and education. In a context of limited resources and an increasing number of patients living and dying with chronic life-limiting conditions, the need for appropriate and effective communication strategies should be seen as a priority for both research and policy.