Barriers to optimal palliative care of lung transplant candidates.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The provision of effective palliative care is of great importance to patients awaiting lung transplantation. Although the prospect of lung transplantation provides hope to patients and their families, these patients are usually very symptomatic from their underlying disease.

Methods

An e-mail questionnaire was sent to members of the American College of Chest Physicians' Transplant NetWork and the Pulmonary Council of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT). The survey included questions about barriers to providing palliative care, the availability of palliative care services, and recommended strategies to improve palliative care for lung transplant candidates.

Results

The 158 respondents represented approximately 65% of transpla

SUBMITTER: Colman RE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4694081 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature