Helena Ullgren1, Lily Kirkpatrick2, Sini Kilpeläinen2, Lena Sharp3. 1. Regional Cancer Centre Stockholm-Gotland, Stockholm, Sweden; Karolinska University Hospital, Department of Oncology, Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: helena.ullgren@sll.se. 2. Regional Cancer Centre Stockholm-Gotland, Stockholm, Sweden. 3. Regional Cancer Centre Stockholm-Gotland, Stockholm, Sweden; Karolinska Institutet, Department of Learning Informatics, Management and Ethics, Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The primary aim was to describe patients with Head and Neck (H&N) cancer referred to palliative care and how the care transition from acute oncological to palliative care impacted on both Health related quality of life (HRQoL) and information. The secondary aim was to explore H&N cancer patients' HRQoL and perceived information. METHODS: H&N cancer patients were identified via the Swedish Cancer Register. Data were collected using the following questionnaires; European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ C-30, INFO25, and a study-specific questionnaire. KEY RESULTS: Out of 289 patients, 203 (70%) responded and among these, 43 (21%) reported being referred to palliative care. Global health was the lowest reported functional scale (median score = 67) and fatigue (median scores 33) the highest reported symptom (QLQ C-30). Patients with a written care plan were significantly more satisfied with information regarding self-care compared to patients without a care plan. Patients referred to palliative care were less satisfied with information regarding disease (p < 0.000), the spread of the disease (p < 0.001) and were more likely to visit hospital emergency departments (43% vs. 19% p < 0.000). CONCLUSION: To avoid H&N cancer care in silos, a closer integration between the oncology and the palliative care team is needed. Further research on the complex situation of having oncological treatment concurrent with palliative care, is needed.
PURPOSE: The primary aim was to describe patients with Head and Neck (H&N) cancer referred to palliative care and how the care transition from acute oncological to palliative care impacted on both Health related quality of life (HRQoL) and information. The secondary aim was to explore H&N cancerpatients' HRQoL and perceived information. METHODS: H&N cancerpatients were identified via the Swedish Cancer Register. Data were collected using the following questionnaires; European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ C-30, INFO25, and a study-specific questionnaire. KEY RESULTS: Out of 289 patients, 203 (70%) responded and among these, 43 (21%) reported being referred to palliative care. Global health was the lowest reported functional scale (median score = 67) and fatigue (median scores 33) the highest reported symptom (QLQ C-30). Patients with a written care plan were significantly more satisfied with information regarding self-care compared to patients without a care plan. Patients referred to palliative care were less satisfied with information regarding disease (p < 0.000), the spread of the disease (p < 0.001) and were more likely to visit hospital emergency departments (43% vs. 19% p < 0.000). CONCLUSION: To avoid H&N cancer care in silos, a closer integration between the oncology and the palliative care team is needed. Further research on the complex situation of having oncological treatment concurrent with palliative care, is needed.
Authors: Catriona Rachel Mayland; Hannah C Doughty; Simon N Rogers; Anna Gola; Stephen Mason; Cathy Hubbert; Dominic Macareavy; Barbara A Jack Journal: J Palliat Care Date: 2020-09-15 Impact factor: 2.250
Authors: Catriona R Mayland; Qiaoling Marilyn Ho; Hannah C Doughty; Simon N Rogers; Prithvi Peddinti; Praytush Chada; Stephen Mason; Matthew Cooper; Paola Dey Journal: Palliat Med Date: 2020-10-21 Impact factor: 4.762