Journal of pain and symptom management
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Fever is an important sign of inflammation recognized by health care practitioners and family caregivers. However, few empirical data obtained directly from patients exist to support many of the long-standing assumptions about the symptoms of fever. Many of the literature-cited symptoms, including chills, diaphoresis, and malaise, have limited scientific bases, yet they often represent a major justification for antipyretic administration. ⋯ Our data not only confirm long-standing symptoms of fever but also suggest new symptoms and a level of variability and complexity not captured by the existing fever literature. Greater knowledge of patients' fever experiences will guide more accurate assessment of symptoms associated with fever and the impact of antipyretic treatments on patient symptoms in this common condition. Results from this study are contributing to the content validity of a future instrument that will evaluate patient outcomes related to fever interventions.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Dec 2013
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyClinically important differences in the intensity of chronic refractory breathlessness.
Clinically important differences in chronic refractory breathlessness are ill defined but important in clinical practice and trial design. ⋯ This larger dataset supports a clinically important difference of 10mm. Studies should be powered to detect this difference.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Dec 2013
Capturing the patient's experience: using qualitative methods to develop a measure of patient-reported symptom burden: an example from ovarian cancer.
Experts in patient-reported outcome (PRO) measurement emphasize the importance of including patient input in the development of PRO measures. Although best methods for acquiring this input are not yet identified, patient input early in instrument development ensures that instrument content captures information most important and relevant to patients in understandable terms. ⋯ The qualitative interviewing process, used to develop the test MDASI-OC, systematically captures common symptoms important to patients with OC. This methodology incorporates the patient experience recommended by experts in PRO instrument development.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Dec 2013
Review Meta AnalysisAdvising patients on the use of non-herbal nutritional supplements during cancer therapy: a need for doctor-patient communication.
Many cancer patients are using non-herbal nutritional supplements (NHNS), often without informing their oncologists. ⋯ There is a need to develop an open and nonjudgmental dialogue between oncologists and cancer patients, addressing the needs of the patient while dealing with issues related to the efficacy and safety of these products. Referral of patients to an integrative medicine consultant may help achieve these goals, providing both parties with the option of reaching an informed and respectful decision about treatment.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Dec 2013
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyTraining intervention for health care staff in the provision of existential support to patients with cancer: a randomized, controlled study.
When a patient receives a cancer diagnosis, existential issues become more compelling. Throughout the illness trajectory, patients with cancer are cared for in oncology wards, by home care teams or in hospices. Nurses working with these patients are sometimes aware of the patients' existential needs but do not feel confident when discussing these issues. ⋯ This study shows that short-term training with reflection improves the confidence of health care staff when communicating, which is important for health care managers with limited resources. Further studies are needed to explore how patients experience the communication skills of health care staff after such training.