Carmen Roch1, Johanna Palzer1, Teresa Zetzl1, Stefan Störk2,3, Stefan Frantz2,3, Birgitt van Oorschot1. 1. Interdisciplinary Center for Palliative Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, Germany. 2. Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Würzburg, Germany. 3. Comprehensive Heart Failure Center Würzburg, University and University Hospital Würzburg, Germany.
Abstract
AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability and comprehensibility of the integrated palliative care outcome scale for the evaluation of palliative care needs in patients with heart failure. METHODS AND RESULTS: This cross-sectional study investigated 100 heart failure patients (40 women, 60 men; median age 79 years) within the first few days of their hospitalisation by applying the integrated palliative care outcome scale (3-day recall period) and two additional self-developed questions about the suitability and comprehensibility of the integrated palliative care outcome scale. Clinically relevant somatic and psycho-emotional symptoms were reported very frequently (approximately 75% each), followed by communicational needs or practical issues. Ninety-five per cent of patients thought the integrated palliative care outcome scale very easy to understand, and 91% judged the integrated palliative care outcome scale suitable to assess palliative care needs. CONCLUSION: The integrated palliative care outcome scale was well accepted by hospitalised patients with heart failure and identified a high burden of both physical and psycho-emotional symptoms. Screening for palliative care has to consider patients and their relatives alike, and should be part of a comprehensive care concept jointly integrated into clinical routine by primary and specialised palliative care teams.
AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability and comprehensibility of the integrated palliative care outcome scale for the evaluation of palliative care needs in patients with heart failure. METHODS AND RESULTS: This cross-sectional study investigated 100 heart failure patients (40 women, 60 men; median age 79 years) within the first few days of their hospitalisation by applying the integrated palliative care outcome scale (3-day recall period) and two additional self-developed questions about the suitability and comprehensibility of the integrated palliative care outcome scale. Clinically relevant somatic and psycho-emotional symptoms were reported very frequently (approximately 75% each), followed by communicational needs or practical issues. Ninety-five per cent of patients thought the integrated palliative care outcome scale very easy to understand, and 91% judged the integrated palliative care outcome scale suitable to assess palliative care needs. CONCLUSION: The integrated palliative care outcome scale was well accepted by hospitalised patients with heart failure and identified a high burden of both physical and psycho-emotional symptoms. Screening for palliative care has to consider patients and their relatives alike, and should be part of a comprehensive care concept jointly integrated into clinical routine by primary and specialised palliative care teams.
Authors: Lisa Hjelmfors; Martje H L van der Wal; Maria Friedrichsen; Anna Milberg; Jan Mårtensson; Anna Sandgren; Anna Strömberg; Tiny Jaarsma Journal: BMC Palliat Care Date: 2020-10-15 Impact factor: 3.234