Dataset Information

Assessment of patient symptom burden and information needs helps tailoring palliative care consultations: An observational study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The objective of this study is to study (1) the relationship between patient-reported symptom burden and information needs in hospital-based palliative care and (2) differences in patient-reported needs during the disease trajectory.

Methods

Observational study: patient-reported symptom burden and information needs were collected via a conversation guide comprising assessment scales for 12 symptoms (0-10), the question which symptom has priority to be solved and a question prompt list on 75 palliative care-related items (35 topics, 40 questions). Non-parametric tests assessed associations.

Results

Conversation guides were used by 266 patients. Median age was 65 years (IQ-range, 57-72), 49% were male and 96% had cancer. Patients reported highest burden for Fatigue (median = 7) and Loss of appetite (median = 6) and prioritised Pain (26%), Fatigue (9%) and Shortness of breath (9%). Patients wanted information about 1-38 (median = 14) items, mostly Fatigue (68%), Possibilities to manage future symptoms (68%) and Possible future symptoms (67%). Patients also wanted information about symptoms for which they reported low burden. Patients in the symptom-directed phase needed more information about hospice care.

Conclusion

Symptom burden and information needs are related. Patients often also want information about non-prioritised symptoms and other palliative care domains. Tailored information-provision includes inviting patients to also discuss topics they did not consider themselves.

SUBMITTER: Verhoef MJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9788071 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Assessment of patient symptom burden and information needs helps tailoring palliative care consultations: An observational study.

Verhoef Mary-Joanne MJ Sweep Boudewijn B de Nijs Ellen J M EJM Valkenburg Anne C AC Horeweg Nanda N Pieterse Arwen H AH van der Steen Jenny T JT van der Linden Yvette M YM

European journal of cancer care 20220924 6

<h4>Objective</h4>The objective of this study is to study (1) the relationship between patient-reported symptom burden and information needs in hospital-based palliative care and (2) differences in patient-reported needs during the disease trajectory.<h4>Methods</h4>Observational study: patient-reported symptom burden and information needs were collected via a conversation guide comprising assessment scales for 12 symptoms (0-10), the question which symptom has priority to be solved and a questi ...[more]

PMID: 36151895

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Dataset Information

Assessment of patient symptom burden and information needs helps tailoring palliative care consultations: An observational study.

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Assessment of patient symptom burden and information needs helps tailoring palliative care consultations: An observational study.

Similar Datasets

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