Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · May 2014
Decisional control preferences, disclosure of information preferences, and satisfaction among Hispanic patients with advanced cancer.
Studies to determine the decisional control preferences (DCPs) in Hispanic patients receiving palliative care are limited. ⋯ The vast majority preferred a shared or active decision-making process and wanted information about their diagnosis and prognosis. Older patients and those who wanted to know their diagnosis seemed to be more satisfied with the way treatment decisions were made.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · May 2014
Perspectives of family members on planning end-of-life care for terminally ill and frail older people.
Advance care planning (ACP) is the process by which patients, together with their physician and loved ones, establish preferences for future care. Because previous research has shown that relatives play a considerable role in end-of-life care decisions, it is important to understand how family members are involved in this process. ⋯ This study provides insight into the different positions of family members in the end-of-life care planning of older patients with a short life expectancy. It is important for health care providers to understand the position of a family member in the ACP of the patient, take into account that family members may experience an active role in ACP as burdensome, and consider existing relationship patterns.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · May 2014
Definition, categorization, and terminology of episodic breathlessness: consensus by an international Delphi survey.
Episodic breathlessness is a common and distressing symptom in patients with advanced disease. Still, it is not yet clearly defined. ⋯ There is high agreement on clinical and operational aspects of episodic breathlessness in advanced disease among international experts. The consented definition and categorization may serve as a catalyst for clinical and basic research to improve symptom control and patients' quality of life.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · May 2014
Preparedness planning before mechanical circulatory support: a "how-to" guide for palliative medicine clinicians.
The role of palliative medicine in the care of patients with advanced heart failure, including those who receive mechanical circulatory support, has grown dramatically in the last decade. Previous literature has suggested that palliative medicine providers are well poised to assist cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, and the multidisciplinary cardiovascular team with promotion of informed consent and initial and iterative discussions regarding goals of care. Although preparedness planning has been described previously, the actual methods that can be used to complete a preparedness plan have not been well defined. Herein, we outline several key aspects of this approach and detail strategies for engaging patients who are receiving mechanical circulatory support in preparedness planning.