Articles: palliative-care.
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Background: In 2007 we published a trial of home-based palliative care (HBPC) conducted in a managed care organization (MCO) that found significant improvements in patient satisfaction with health care, rates of home deaths, and reductions in health care use and costs. A decade later, we undertook a similar trial of HBPC within accountable care organizations (ACOs) funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. This trial tested the same model using similar eligibility criteria and recruitment strategies as the earlier trial, yet it failed to achieve its enrollment targets. ⋯ Discussion: Our findings demonstrate the challenges in conducting research in complex health care systems and how physician and setting structures along with target population and lack of general palliative care knowledge can influence the success of research. Conclusion: Future HBPC trials must consider the strengths and weaknesses of trial design factors when partnering with multiple health care organizations. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03128060.
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In this article, we provide an overview of pharmacists' involvement with palliative care, starting with recent history, up to present day. The aim of this review is to highlight advances in the field of palliative care pharmacy and the integral role pharmacists have on the palliative care team. We conclude that despite participating on multidisciplinary palliative care teams for over 20 years, pharmacy still lacks a board certification in palliative care.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Dec 2022
DYSPHAGIA IN SOLID TUMORS OUTSIDE THE HEAD, NECK OR UPPER GI TRACT: CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
Dysphagia is common in cancer, but underlying pathophysiology and manifestations within patients are unknown. ⋯ Dysphagia management in those with cancer requires robust assessment to uncover clinically important needs like food texture modification and safe swallowing advice. Better assessment tools should be developed for this purpose. Oral health problems should be routinely screened in this population since they exacerbate dysphagia.