PURPOSE: Although there is increasing advocacy for timely symptom control in patients with cancer, few studies have assessed outpatient palliative care clinics. This study assessed prospectively the efficacy of an Oncology Palliative Care Clinic (OPCC) in improving patient symptom distress and satisfaction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible patients were new referrals to an OPCC, had metastatic cancer, were at least 18 years old, and were well enough and able to speak and read English sufficiently to provide informed consent and complete questionnaires. Patients received a consultation by a palliative care team. The primary end points of symptom control and patient satisfaction were assessed using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) and patient-adapted Family Satisfaction with Advanced Cancer Care (FAMCARE) scale at baseline, 1 week, and 1 month. Initial and follow-up scores were compared using paired t tests. RESULTS: Of 150 patients enrolled, 123 completed 1-week assessments, and 88 completed 4-week assessments. At baseline, the mean ESAS Distress Score (EDS) was 39.5. The mean improvement in EDS was 8.8 points (P < .0001) at 1 week and 7.0 points (P < .0001) at 1 month. Statistically significant improvements were observed for pain, fatigue, nausea, depression, anxiety, drowsiness, appetite, dyspnea, insomnia, and constipation at 1 week (all P < or = .005) and 1 month (all P < or = .05). The mean improvement in FAMCARE score was 6.1 points (P < .0001) at 1 week and 5.0 points (P < .0001) at 1 month. CONCLUSION: This phase II study demonstrates efficacy of an OPCC for improvement of symptom control and patient satisfaction with care. Randomized controlled trials are indicated to further evaluate the effectiveness of specialized outpatient palliative care.
PURPOSE: Although there is increasing advocacy for timely symptom control in patients with cancer, few studies have assessed outpatient palliative care clinics. This study assessed prospectively the efficacy of an Oncology Palliative Care Clinic (OPCC) in improving patient symptom distress and satisfaction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible patients were new referrals to an OPCC, had metastatic cancer, were at least 18 years old, and were well enough and able to speak and read English sufficiently to provide informed consent and complete questionnaires. Patients received a consultation by a palliative care team. The primary end points of symptom control and patient satisfaction were assessed using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) and patient-adapted Family Satisfaction with Advanced Cancer Care (FAMCARE) scale at baseline, 1 week, and 1 month. Initial and follow-up scores were compared using paired t tests. RESULTS: Of 150 patients enrolled, 123 completed 1-week assessments, and 88 completed 4-week assessments. At baseline, the mean ESAS Distress Score (EDS) was 39.5. The mean improvement in EDS was 8.8 points (P < .0001) at 1 week and 7.0 points (P < .0001) at 1 month. Statistically significant improvements were observed for pain, fatigue, nausea, depression, anxiety, drowsiness, appetite, dyspnea, insomnia, and constipation at 1 week (all P < or = .005) and 1 month (all P < or = .05). The mean improvement in FAMCARE score was 6.1 points (P < .0001) at 1 week and 5.0 points (P < .0001) at 1 month. CONCLUSION: This phase II study demonstrates efficacy of an OPCC for improvement of symptom control and patient satisfaction with care. Randomized controlled trials are indicated to further evaluate the effectiveness of specialized outpatient palliative care.
Authors: Patricia F Harris; Robert M Arnold; Ursula K Braun; Erik Fromme; Rahwa Ghermay; Stephanie Harman; Robert L Jayes; Anne M Walling Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2011-11-30 Impact factor: 5.128
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Authors: Jessica J Fulton; Thomas W LeBlanc; Toni M Cutson; Kathryn N Porter Starr; Arif Kamal; Katherine Ramos; Caroline E Freiermuth; Jennifer R McDuffie; Andrzej Kosinski; Soheir Adam; Avishek Nagi; John W Williams Journal: Palliat Med Date: 2018-11-29 Impact factor: 4.762
Authors: Camilla Zimmermann; Dora Yuen; Ashley Mischitelle; Mark D Minden; Joseph M Brandwein; Aaron Schimmer; Lucia Gagliese; Christopher Lo; Anne Rydall; Gary Rodin Journal: Leuk Res Date: 2013-03-11 Impact factor: 3.156