Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Sep 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialRehabilitation in advanced, progressive, recurrent cancer: a randomized controlled trial.
Two million people across the U.K. are living with cancer, often experienced as a long-term condition. They may have unmet needs after active treatment. Rehabilitation aims to address these needs, maximize psychological and physical function, and enable minimum dependency regardless of life expectancy. ⋯ This intervention significantly reduced the unmet needs of cancer survivors and it is likely that it is cost-effective. Despite small numbers, the main effect size was robust. We recommend implementation alongside evaluation in wider clinical settings and patient populations.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Sep 2013
Validity of an observation method for assessing pain behavior in individuals with multiple sclerosis.
Pain is a common and complex experience for individuals who live with multiple sclerosis (MS) and it interferes with physical, psychological, and social function. A valid and reliable tool for quantifying observed pain behaviors in MS is critical to understand how pain behaviors contribute to pain-related disability in this clinical population. ⋯ Results support the use of the pain behavior observation protocol for assessing pain behaviors of individuals with MS. Valid assessments of pain behaviors of individuals with MS could lead to creative interventions in the management of chronic pain in this population.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Sep 2013
A psychometric validation of two brief measures to assess palliative need in patients severely affected by multiple sclerosis.
Most patient-reported outcome measurement tools in multiple sclerosis (MS) are geared toward less severely affected patients. Palliative care outcome measures have not been validated in patients with MS. ⋯ Psychometric analyses confirm that the Core-POS and POS-MS-S are acceptable, reliable, and valid in patients severely affected by MS.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Sep 2013
Managing pain in advanced cancer: a survey of United kingdom general practitioners and community nurses.
General practitioners (GPs) and community nurses (CNs) have a central role in palliative care. With health policy focusing more and more on enabling patients to die at home, primary health care professionals are increasingly responsible for symptom management of patients near the end of life. ⋯ Both groups had a high level of knowledge concerning key issues in pain management and syringe driver use that should equip them well for their central role in palliative care. Recommendations for the focus of future education sessions are made.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Sep 2013
Survey of Italian general practitioners: knowledge, opinions, and activities of palliative care.
General practitioners (GPs) play a key role in the end-of-life care of patients; however, currently in Italy, there are no national population-based studies available of the knowledge and activities of GPs in palliative care. ⋯ This survey reveals the uncertainty of GPs regarding many theoretical issues but a strong willingness to integrate with the multiprofessional palliative care team. To further enhance the skills of GPs and facilitate the collaboration with palliative care services, it might be useful to realize ad hoc training schemes tailored to the different organizational procedures of in-home palliative care services.