Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Nov 2020
Randomized Controlled TrialMethylphenidate as needed for fatigue in patients with advanced cancer. A prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
Cancer-related fatigue is a highly prevalent symptom with a strong negative impact on patients' daily life. ⋯ In this controlled and double-blind study in patients with advanced cancer, methylphenidate as needed was significantly more effective than placebo in relieving fatigue after two and five hours.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Nov 2020
Randomized Controlled TrialMeasuring Goal-Concordant Care: Results and reflections from secondary analysis of a trial to improve serious illness communication.
Many consider goal-concordant care (GCC) to be the most important of advance care planning and palliative care. Researchers face significant challenges in attempting to measure this outcome. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to assess the effects of a system-level intervention to improve serious illness communication on GCC and other outcomes. ⋯ Measuring GCC remains a fundamental challenge to palliative care researchers. Ratings attest to the fact that many things matter to patients; however, rankings can better determine what matters most. Insights gained from our experience may guide future research aiming to use this outcome to assess the effect of intervention to improve serious illness care.
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Keepsakes are a relatively unexplored form of bereavement support that is frequently provided as part of the 3 Wishes Project (3WP). The 3WP is a palliative care intervention in which individualized wishes are implemented in the adult intensive care unit for dying patients and their families. ⋯ Keepsakes are common wishes that clinicians in the intensive care unit are able to provide and sometimes cocreate with families when patients are dying. Both the offering to create the keepsake and receipt of the final product are perceived by family members as helpful.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Nov 2020
Complexities and constraints in end of life care for hospitalised prisoner patients.
Managing the care of an increasing and aging prisoner population, including providing palliative and end-of-life care, is a challenge worldwide. There is little known about the views of health professionals who provide palliative care to hospitalized prisoner patients. ⋯ Clarity of correctional service processes, protocols, and aspects of security and related training for health professionals is needed to ensure improved care for prisoners with progressive and life-limiting illness. Further research is required to seek the views of prisoners facing end of life and their families.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Nov 2020
Randomized Controlled TrialIn Search of Hospice Information: Consumer Information Available on Hospice Compare and Yelp.
Little is known about strategies for enrolling patients in home-based palliative care programs despite the need to conduct effectiveness studies of this emerging industry. ⋯ Our findings suggest that medical claims data may not be useful for engaging patients potentially eligible for palliative care research trials. We recommend that alternative identification and recruitment strategies be considered.