Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Feb 2024
Preparing Preclinical Medical Students for Routine Code Status Discussions: A Mixed-Methods Study.
Medical students are expected to gain competency in inquiring about patients' goals of care, per the Association of American Medical Colleges' Entrustable Professional Activities. While students may be part of teams that conduct routine code status discussions (CSDs), formal training in this skill prior to clinical clerkships is lacking. ⋯ A workshop to train medical students to conduct routine CSDs can be included as part of a preclinical medical education curriculum. Students reported that the workshop increased their confidence in conducting CSDs and demonstrated an increase in corresponding knowledge, preparing them to deliver person-centered care on their clerkships.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Feb 2024
Psychometric Properties of the Japanese Version of the Edmonton Functional Assessment Tool 2.
Physical symptoms such as pain and cancer-related fatigue limit physical function and activities of daily living among patients with terminal cancer, which can lead to a decline in quality of life. Therefore, comprehensive functional impairments should be evaluated to determine the progression of the disease and the effectiveness of palliative treatment. ⋯ These results indicate that the EFAT2-J has robust psychometric properties and is useful for evaluating physical function in patients with terminal cancer, and thus may be an acceptable clinical instrument in research and practice.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Feb 2024
Primary Author Characteristics Associated with Publication in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management.
Scientific journals are the primary source for dissemination of research findings, and this process relies on rigorous editorial and peer-review. As part of continuing efforts by the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management (JPSM) to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion, JPSM's leadership requested an external evaluation of their publication decisions. ⋯ In this analysis of publication decisions by the JPSM, there were differences in acceptance rates by region of residence, ethnicity, and race but not by gender. Asian authors and authors residing in regions outside of North America had greater odds of rejection compared to White or North American authors.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Feb 2024
Case ReportsRoutine Monitoring of QTc Interval as a Barrier for Efficient Use of Methadone in Palliative Care.
Methadone is a commonly prescribed opioid amongst cancer patients. It has unique pharmacological properties which can benefit in treating complex pain syndromes and neuropathic pain. However, strict guidelines have been created in a generalized manner for chronic pain and long-term survival patients. These guidelines, such as QT interval monitoring can lead to limitations for methadone use in patients with comfort-associated goals. We present two cases of patients with metastatic cancer who were treated for pain with methadone and had to undergo opioid rotation due to abnormal QT intervals. ⋯ In the palliative care setting, monitoring QTc per chronic pain guidelines may lead to uncontrolled pain and a significant impact on quality of life.