Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jul 2015
Patient and Caregiver Opinions of Motivational Interviewing Techniques In Role-Played Palliative Care Conversations: A Pilot Study.
Although many have examined the role of motivational interviewing (MI) in diverse health care encounters, no one has explored whether patients and caregivers facing serious illnesses identify specific MI techniques as helpful. ⋯ This pilot study represents the first exploration of patient and caregiver perceptions of helpful techniques in palliative care conversations. Use of MI techniques shows promise for improving palliative care discussions.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jul 2015
Coping With Existential and Emotional Challenges: Development and Validation of the Self-Competence in Death Work Scale.
Palliative care professionals often are confronted by death in their work. They may experience challenges to self, such as aroused emotions and queries about life's meaningfulness. Assessing their level of "self-competence" in coping with these challenges is crucial in understanding their needs in death work. ⋯ The SC-DWS was found to be valid and reliable. This scale may facilitate helping professionals' understanding of their self-competence in death work, so appropriate professional support and training may be obtained.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jul 2015
Observational StudyFatigue in HIV-Infected People: A Three-Year Observational Study.
HIV-related fatigue remains the most frequent complaint of seropositive patients. ⋯ Intervening to help people who are suffering from HIV-related fatigue to deal with stressful life events may help to ameliorate this debilitating symptom.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jul 2015
ReviewOngoing Screening and Treatment to Potentially Reduce Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor-Related Fatigue in Renal Cell Carcinoma.
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) represents 1% to 4% of adult malignancies, and approximately 33% of patients with RCC present with metastatic disease and have a poor prognosis. Better understanding of RCC tumor biology has led to the development of several molecularly targeted agents, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), to manage advanced disease. Although evolving data suggest these drugs may be beneficial in RCC, they are associated with significant toxicities. Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most common toxicities associated with the TKIs used in RCC. ⋯ TKI-related CRF in patients with RCC is a highly distressing complication of cancer therapy. CRF can substantially influence drug compliance, the ability to maximally treat, and quality of life. It is important to recognize this common, yet frequently underdiagnosed complication and initiate appropriate management strategies, to increase the likelihood for optimal outcomes.