OBJECTIVES: This work was conducted to evaluate symptoms assessment and use of patient-tailored protocols in clinical practice among Italian medical oncologists. METHODS: A questionnaire based on four topics (assessment of symptoms, assessment of a specific symptom, assessment of pain, use of patient-tailored protocols of treatment) was administered to 250 Italian medical oncologists. RESULTS: Of these oncologists, 43.7% used multiple symptoms tools and 37.9% used symptom specific tools; 58.9% used some instrument to assess pain. More than a third of the respondents (35.5%) used patient-tailored protocols. No statistical differences were found regarding region of residency, availability of consultants in pain therapy and/or palliative care, colleagues with main interest on palliative care, and beds dedicated to palliative care. Statistically significant differences were found regarding the position (staff/resident) in three out four topics. CONCLUSIONS: Among Italian medical oncologists, the instruments used for assessment of symptoms are poorly employed. Even when these instruments are used, patient-tailored protocols are rarely administered.
OBJECTIVES: This work was conducted to evaluate symptoms assessment and use of patient-tailored protocols in clinical practice among Italian medical oncologists. METHODS: A questionnaire based on four topics (assessment of symptoms, assessment of a specific symptom, assessment of pain, use of patient-tailored protocols of treatment) was administered to 250 Italian medical oncologists. RESULTS: Of these oncologists, 43.7% used multiple symptoms tools and 37.9% used symptom specific tools; 58.9% used some instrument to assess pain. More than a third of the respondents (35.5%) used patient-tailored protocols. No statistical differences were found regarding region of residency, availability of consultants in pain therapy and/or palliative care, colleagues with main interest on palliative care, and beds dedicated to palliative care. Statistically significant differences were found regarding the position (staff/resident) in three out four topics. CONCLUSIONS: Among Italian medical oncologists, the instruments used for assessment of symptoms are poorly employed. Even when these instruments are used, patient-tailored protocols are rarely administered.
Authors: S L Du Pen; A R Du Pen; N Polissar; J Hansberry; B M Kraybill; M Stillman; J Panke; R Everly; K Syrjala Journal: J Clin Oncol Date: 1999-01 Impact factor: 44.544
Authors: Donald L Patrick; Sandra L Ferketich; Paul S Frame; Jesse J Harris; Carolyn B Hendricks; Bernard Levin; Michael P Link; Craig Lustig; Joseph McLaughlin; L Douglas Ried; Andrew T Turrisi; Jürgen Unützer; Sally W Vernon Journal: J Natl Cancer Inst Date: 2003-08-06 Impact factor: 13.506
Authors: Eva Mazzotti; Gian Carlo Antonini Cappellini; Stefania Buconovo; Roberto Morese; Alessandro Scoppola; Claudia Sebastiani; Paolo Marchetti Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2012-01-21 Impact factor: 3.603