Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2017
Exploratory Factor Analysis of NRG Oncology's University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire - RTOG Modification.
The 15-item University of Washington Quality of Life questionnaire-Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) modification (UW-QOL-RTOG modification) has been used in several trials of head and neck cancer conducted by NRG Oncology such as RTOG 9709, RTOG 9901, RTOG 0244, and RTOG 0537. ⋯ The UW-QOL-RTOG modification is a valid tool that can be used to assess symptom burden of head and neck cancer patients receiving radiation therapy or those who have recently completed radiation. The modified tool has acceptable reliability, concurrent validity, and test-retest reliability in this patient population, as well as the advantage of having being shortened from 15 to 11 items.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2017
Psychosocial Assessment by Hospice Social Workers: A Content Review of Instruments from a National Sample.
Hospice social workers are charged with completing a psychosocial assessment for every new enrollee. This assessment is part of the patient's comprehensive assessment and serves to inform the plan of care and key quality indicators. ⋯ Hospice social workers should consider modifying their assessment practices to include a comprehensive array of assessment topics pertinent to patients and families. An accurate, comprehensive assessment that contributes to a holistic, interdisciplinary approach will likely lead to better clinical outcomes.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2017
Caregivers' perspectives on the use of long term oxygen therapy for the treatment of refractory breathlessness: a qualitative study.
Despite limited clinical evidence, long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) is used for the management of refractory breathlessness in people with life-limiting illnesses who are not necessarily hypoxemic. ⋯ Caregivers find caring for someone with refractory breathlessness extremely distressing. The benefits of LTOT are often overestimated, whereas its potential harms are underestimated. As significant stakeholders of people receiving LTOT, caregivers should be provided with opportunities to collaborate with clinicians in evidence-based decision making, efforts should be made to provide them with information and education about the most effective pharmacological and nonpharmacological strategies to manage refractory breathlessness in a palliative care setting including the appropriate use of LTOT to enable them to do so.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2017
Associations Between Neurotransmitter Genes and Fatigue and Energy Levels in Women Following Breast Cancer Surgery.
Fatigue is a common problem in oncology patients. Less is known about decrements in energy levels and the mechanisms that underlie both fatigue and energy. ⋯ Molecular findings support the hypothesis that fatigue and energy are distinct, yet related symptoms. Results suggest that a large number of neurotransmitters play a role in the development and maintenance of fatigue and energy levels in breast cancer patients.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2017
Multicenter StudyImpact of Palliative Care Screening and Consultation in the ICU: A Multi-hospital Quality Improvement Project.
There are few multicenter studies that examine the impact of systematic screening for palliative care and specialty consultation in the intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ Receiving a PCC in the ICUs was significantly associated with more frequent DNR code status and hospice referrals, but not 30-day readmissions or hospital utilization. Early PCC was associated with significant LOS and direct cost reductions. Providing PCC early in the ICU should be considered.