scholarly journals Referral Time of Advance Cancer Patients to Palliative Care Services and Its Predictors in Specialized Cancer Center

Cureus ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nabil ALMouaalamy ◽  
Khaled AlMarwani ◽  
Abdulmajeed AlMehmadi ◽  
Ahmed A AlNakhli ◽  
Yasser AlGhamdi ◽  
...  
2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (31_suppl) ◽  
pp. 52-52
Author(s):  
Kenneth D. Bishop ◽  
Angela Marie Taber

52 Background: The Institute of Medicine reported that many cancer patients do not receive palliative care to manage symptoms. It is possible that practitioners do not identify palliative care as an important component of high-quality cancer care, or do not know how to most efficiently utilize available palliative care consultative services. Methods: An anonymous electronic survey was sent to physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and social workers (n=99) in our multi-site, single-institution Cancer Center. Results: Sixty-five responses were received (66% response rate). Eighty-three percent of respondents reported working primarily in the outpatient setting. Fifty-nine percent reported their patients ‘rarely use the ER for pain management’ while 16% reported their patients ‘frequently require ER visits for pain management’. Ninety-two percent considered palliative care ‘an integral part of a multidisciplinary team’ while 6% reported palliative care consultation to be ‘cumbersome to consult and coordinate with’. The most common reason for consultation was end-of-life discussions (38%) followed by chronic pain management (33%). Seventy-seven percent reported consulting between 1 and 5 times per month, 14% between 6-10 times per month, and 5% greater than 11 times per month. Thirteen percent reported that they were able to manage patient symptoms adequately themselves. The average rating for convenience of consulting palliative care was 3.8/5. Fifty-eight percent reported the most effective means of communication with palliative care consultants was through the medical record, whereas 42% reported that most effective communication took place in person. Sixty percent reported a preference for palliative care practitioners from within the division of hematology/oncology. Conclusions: Our survey suggests that the majority of oncology practitioners value palliative care consultation and are willing to incorporate palliative care services into patient management. It is possible that practitioners overestimate their utilization of palliative care services and that optimizing the convenience of consultation and communication would result in better integration of palliative care for cancer patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 76
Author(s):  
Sanjay Gupta ◽  
Anshu K Thakur ◽  
Reecha Mishra ◽  
Pamesh Jha

Introduction Palliative care is one of the essential components of cancer care in Nepal. Most of our cancer patients present to the hospital quite late. In our everyday practice, we encounter many progressive incurable cancer patients who need palliative care. The goal of the palliative care is to relieve the pertinent symptoms or to improve quality of life (QoL) for patients with advanced cancer. We reviewed the palliative care services to the cancer patients at our center. MethodsRetrospective analysis of the cancer patients who received palliative care alone or in adjunct to curative treatment in Binayatara Cancer Center since its establishment in December 2018 was done. ResultsA total of 108 patients received palliative care of which most were at advanced stage of disease (Stage IV). The male to female ratio was 1:1.45. The most common complaints for their visit was pain (62%) followed by nause and vomiting (32%), constipation (28%), anorexia (22%), shortness of breath, abdominal distension, seizure. Most of the patients with pain needed morphine (65%) for pain management followed by tramadol (25%) and NSAIDs (10%). Few of them were also supplemented with TCAs and anticonvulsants.Abdominal distension due to ascites was managed by ascitic tapping, Albumin supplementation while shortness of breath due to pleural effusion was managed by pleural fluid tapping. In one patient with pleural effusion, chest tube was inserted. Three patients with seizure due to brain metastasis were managed with anticonvulsant. A patient of prostate cancer with bony metastasis was managed with surgical orchidectomy. ConclusionWhile considering the appropriate and effective use of palliative care, a palliative care physician is often confronted with a full range of multidisciplinary treatment options, and technical considerations that could potentially relieve some symptoms of advanced cancer in our settings.Keywords: ,


Author(s):  
Aye Tinzar Myint ◽  
Sariyamon Tiraphat ◽  
Isareethika Jayasvasti ◽  
Seo Ah Hong ◽  
Vijj Kasemsup

Palliative care is an effective, multidisciplinary healthcare service to alleviate severe illness patients from physical, psychological, and spiritual pain. However, global palliative care has been underutilized, especially in developing countries. This cross-sectional survey aimed to examine the factors associated with older cancer patients’ willingness to utilize palliative care services in Myanmar. The final sample was composed of 141 older adults, 50-years of age and above who suffered from cancers at any stage. Simple random sampling was applied to choose the participants by purposively selecting three oncology clinics with daycare chemotherapy centers in Mandalay. We collected data using structured questionnaires composed of five sections. The sections include the participant’s socio-economic information, disease status, knowledge of palliative care, psychosocial and spiritual need, practical need, and willingness to utilize palliative care services. The study found that approximately 85% of older cancer patients are willing to receive palliative care services. The significant predictors of willingness to utilize palliative care services include place of living, better palliative care knowledge, more need for spiritual and psychosocial support, and practical support. This study can guide health policymakers in increasing the rate of palliative care utilization. The suggested policies include developing community-level palliative care services in Myanmar, especially in rural areas, promoting palliative care knowledge, applying appropriate religious and spiritual traditions at palliative treatment, and developing suitable medicines for the critically ill.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leslye Rojas-Concha ◽  
Maiken Bang Hansen ◽  
Morten Aagaard Petersen ◽  
Mogens Groenvold

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.


2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (31_suppl) ◽  
pp. 73-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne-Tove Brenne ◽  
Anne Kari Knudsen ◽  
Cinzia Brunelli ◽  
Vidar Halsteinli ◽  
Stein Kaasa

73 Background: Palliative care early in the cancer disease trajectory may improve health related quality of life for patients and their families. Collaboration between community and specialist health care professionals is paramount to achieve optimal cancer care. The objective of this study is to develop and to implement this model into our health care system.The target population is cancer patients with metastatic and/ or loco-regional disease. Methods: The study takes place in a rural district of 13 municipalities with a local hospital (Orkdal) in Mid Norway. It is designed as a prospective controlled observational pre- post cohort study with four main interventions: 1. Development and implementation of a standardized care pathway across health care levels, 2. Educational programme for health care professionals, 3. Information about cancer and palliative care to the public, 4.Information,education and support to family members.Outcomes are patient’s time spent at home, family member’s health related quality of life, improvement of health care providers’ knowledge and skills and distribution of health care service use. Results: A standardized care pathway for all palliative cancer patients including home care, care in nursing homes, and specialist care in hospitals (in- and outpatients) is developed. It focuses on access to palliative care services, transfer of medical data, and symptom assessment. The educational program consists of two parts; one to inform about the project and the standardized care pathway, and one to improve competence and skills in cancer palliative care. To the general public, information regarding chemo- and radiotherapy, symptom diagnosis and treatment and palliative care services in general is given. Conclusions: A total integrated model to improve care for cancer patients was developed focusing on collaboration between community and specialist health care, and on early integration of palliative care in the traditional cancer care trajectory. Improved care for cancer patients and their families in the Orkdal region to equal costs is expected. The Orkdal Model may be applied in other regions and for other chronic diseases. Clinical trial information: NCT02170168.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (31_suppl) ◽  
pp. 126-126
Author(s):  
Lynn Bowlby ◽  
Robin Turner ◽  
David Casarett ◽  
Fred Johnson ◽  
Ebony Boulware ◽  
...  

126 Background: The specialty of Hospice and Palliative Medicine has grown out of the need for care of patients who are living longer with cancer and other serious illness and struggle with symptoms, decisions and care. Cancer patients and others often do not have access to Palliative Care services due to availability or accessibility of PC services. Since 2012, fellowship training is required for board eligibility but available programs do not meet the workforce need. As described by Weissman and Meier, viewing Palliative care services in the context of a primary, secondary or tertiary focus , allows for the expansion of these services outside of the traditional fellowship training. With additional intensive training, it is possible that experienced physicians can fill workforce gaps by providing primary palliative care in the providers practice area such as a clinic. Methods: The faculty member who will participate in a yearlong training program based in the Palliative Care Clinic is the Director of the Outpatient Clinic. This clinic is the center of the Duke resident ambulatory experience for the duration of their training. The complexity of these patients is high and often the DOC is the only place that these patients receive care. The Palliative Care training program will provide the faculty member the opportunity to see patients in the cancer center with board certified palliative care physicians. There will be 3 areas of focus for the trainee: clinical experience, didactic information and mentorship from a board certified palliative care provider around faculty identified cases from her own practice. Results: We have developed a yearlong intensive training program for experienced faculty to gain skills in Palliative Care. Conclusions: 1. It is hoped that this will allow for integration of primary palliative care into patient care areas where there is no formal palliative care program. 2. Integration of Palliative Care principles in the clinic to address symptoms of chronic severe illness as well as difficult conversations with more confidence and skill. 3. Earlier palliative care management–develop a systematic approach to assessing needs in high risk populations ie. Hospital Discharge reviews, now commonly done at the clinic.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (31_suppl) ◽  
pp. 75-75
Author(s):  
Marisa R Moroney ◽  
Breana Hill ◽  
Jeanelle Sheeder ◽  
Jennifer Robinson Diamond ◽  
Melony Avella-Howell ◽  
...  

75 Background: ASCO guidelines recommend patients with advanced cancer receive early integrated specialty palliative care based on evidence of multiple clinical benefits. To our knowledge, there is no literature evaluating utilization of specialty palliative care in Phase I clinical trial patients, but there is limited data demonstrating underutilization of palliative care services in patients with life-threatening diseases including advanced cancer. Methods: A retrospective review of ovarian cancer patients enrolled in Phase I clinical trials at one institution from 2008 to 2018. Charts were reviewed for patient and disease characteristics including age, disease stage, number of chemotherapy regimens and date of death. Charts were also reviewed to determine if and when patients received specialty palliative care services. Results: A total of 121 patients with ovarian cancer were enrolled in Phase I clinical trials. Median age at time of Phase I enrollment was 59 years (range 33-88). 87% of patients had advanced stage disease: 60% Stage III and 27% Stage IV. Median number of chemotherapy regimens received prior to Phase I enrollment was 5 (range 1-13). Median survival was 311 days (95%CI 225.9-396.1). Of the 121 patients, 4 (3.3%) received specialty palliative care prior to Phase I enrollment, 7 (5.8%) within 30 days after enrollment, and 53 (43.8%) more than 30 days after enrollment. 57 patients (47.1%) never received specialty palliative care. Conclusions: Ovarian cancer patients enrolled in Phase I clinical trials have advanced cancer – defined by ASCO as disease that is late-stage and life limiting with a prognosis less than 24 months – and should therefore receive early integrated specialty palliative care. This study demonstrates that a significant portion of Phase I ovarian cancer patients are either receiving no or late integration of specialty palliative care. Further work needs to focus on increasing early integration of specialty palliative care in this population.


2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 284-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
David S. Busolo ◽  
Roberta L. Woodgate

ABSTRACTObjective:Cancer incidence and mortality are increasing in Africa, which is leading to greater demands for palliative care. There has been little progress in terms of research, pain management, and policies related to palliative care. Palliative care in Africa is scarce and scattered, with most African nations lacking the basic services. To address these needs, a guiding framework that identifies care needs and directs palliative care services could be utilized. Therefore, using the supportive care framework developed by Fitch (Fitch, 2009), we here review the literature on palliative care for patients diagnosed with cancer in Africa and make recommendations for improvement.Method:The PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, Embase, PsycINFO, Social Sciences Citation Index, and Medline databases were searched. Some 25 English articles on research from African countries published between 2004 and 2014 were selected and reviewed. The reviewed literature was analyzed and presented using the domains of the supportive care framework.Results:Palliative care patients with cancer in Africa, their families, and caregivers experience increasing psychological, physical, social, spiritual, emotional, informational, and practical needs. Care needs are often inadequately addressed because of a lack of awareness as well as deficient and scattered palliative care services and resources. In addition, there is sparse research, education, and policies that address the dire situation in palliative care.Significance of Results:Our review findings add to the existing body of knowledge demonstrating that palliative care patients with cancer in Africa experience disturbing care needs in all domains of the supportive care framework. To better assess and address these needs, holistic palliative care that is multidomain and multi-professional could be utilized. This approach needs to be individualized and to offer better access to services and information. In addition, research, education, and policies around palliative care for cancer patients in Africa could be more comprehensive if they were based on the domains of the supportive care framework.


2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (8) ◽  
pp. 1344-1352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rossana De Palma ◽  
Daniela Fortuna ◽  
Sarah E Hegarty ◽  
Daniel Z Louis ◽  
Rita Maria Melotti ◽  
...  

Background: Multiple studies demonstrate substantial utilization of acute hospital care and, potentially excessive, intensive medical and surgical treatments at the end-of-life. Aim: To evaluate the relationship between the use of home and facility-based hospice palliative care for patients dying with cancer and service utilization at the end of life. Design: Retrospective, population-level study using administrative databases. The effect of palliative care was analyzed between coarsened exact matched cohorts and evaluated through a conditional logistic regression model. Setting/participants: The study was conducted on the cohort of 34,357 patients, resident in Emilia-Romagna Region, Italy, admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of metastatic or poor-prognosis cancer during the 6 months before death between January 2013 and December 2015. Results: Patients who received palliative care experienced significantly lower rates of all indicators of aggressive care such as hospital admission (odds ratio (OR) = 0.05, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.04–0.06), emergency department visits (OR = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.21–0.25), intensive care unit stays (OR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.26–0.32), major operating room procedures (OR = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.21–0.24), and lower in-hospital death (OR = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.10–0.11). This cohort had significantly higher rates of opiate prescriptions (OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.21–1.33) ( p < 0.01 for all comparisons). Conclusion: Use of palliative care at the end of life for cancer patients is associated with a reduction of the use of high-cost, intensive services. Future research is necessary to evaluate the impact of increasing use of palliative care services on other health outcomes. Administrative databases linked at the patient level are a useful data source for assessment of care at the end of life.


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