Dataset Information

Added Value of Early Consultation of an Inpatient Palliative Care Team in Hospitalized Older Patients With High Symptom Burden: A Prospective Comparative Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

It is estimated that in 2050 one quarter of the population in Europe will be aged 65 years and older. Although the added value of a palliative care team is emphasized in the literature, the impact of the palliative care team on the symptom burden in older non-cancer patients is not yet well established.

Objectives

To structurally measure symptoms and to investigate whether proactive consultation with a palliative care team results in improvement of symptoms.

Design

This study has a prospective comparative design.

Setting/participants

Older patients, admitted to a Dutch University Medical Centre for who a health care professional had a negative response to the Surprise Question, were selected.

Measurements, results

In period one, 59 patients completed the Utrecht Symptom Diary (USD) at day one of admission and after 7 days. In period 2 (n = 60), the same procedure was followed; additionally, the palliative care team was consulted for patients with high USD-scores. Significant improvement on the USD Total Distress Score (TSDS) was observed in both groups without a difference between the 2 periods. This study showed an association between consultation of the palliative care team and improvement on USD TSDS (adjusted odds ratio: 4.9; 95% confidence interval: 1.816-13.198), despite low follow-up rate of advices (approximately 50%).

Conclusions

This study emphasizes the importance of creating awareness for consulting the palliative care team. Further research should focus on assessing the reason behind the low follow-up rate of the advice given and understanding the specific advices contributing to symptom improvement.

SUBMITTER: Naaktgeboren MW

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8377279 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Added Value of Early Consultation of an Inpatient Palliative Care Team in Hospitalized Older Patients With High Symptom Burden: A Prospective Comparative Study.

Naaktgeboren Myrthe W MW Magdelijns Fabienne J H FJH Janssen Daisy J A DJA van den Beuken-van Everdingen Marieke H J MHJ

The American journal of hospice & palliative care 20201230 10

<h4>Background</h4>It is estimated that in 2050 one quarter of the population in Europe will be aged 65 years and older. Although the added value of a palliative care team is emphasized in the literature, the impact of the palliative care team on the symptom burden in older non-cancer patients is not yet well established.<h4>Objectives</h4>To structurally measure symptoms and to investigate whether proactive consultation with a palliative care team results in improvement of symptoms.<h4>Design</ ...[more]

PMID: 33380163

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Dataset Information

Added Value of Early Consultation of an Inpatient Palliative Care Team in Hospitalized Older Patients With High Symptom Burden: A Prospective Comparative Study.

Background

Objectives

Design

Setting/participants

Measurements, results

Conclusions

Publications

Added Value of Early Consultation of an Inpatient Palliative Care Team in Hospitalized Older Patients With High Symptom Burden: A Prospective Comparative Study.

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