A survey of patients' experience of pain and other symptoms while receiving care from palliative care services

BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care
Tanya PidgeonKathy Eagar

Abstract

In Australia, patients at the end of life with complex symptoms and needs are often referred to palliative care services (PCSs), but little is known about the symptoms of patients receiving palliative care in different settings. To explore patients' levels of pain and other symptoms while receiving care from PCSs. PCSs registered through Australia's national Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration (PCOC) were invited to participate in a survey between 2008 and 2011. Patients (or if unable, a proxy) were invited to complete the Palliative Care Outcome Scale. Questionnaires were completed for 1800 patients. One-quarter of participants reported severe pain, 20% reported severe 'other symptoms', 20% reported severe patient anxiety, 45% reported severe family anxiety, 66% experienced depressed feelings and 19% reported severe problems with self-worth. Participants receiving care in major cities reported higher levels of depressed feelings than participants in inner regional areas. Participants receiving care in community and combined service settings reported higher levels of need for information, more concerns about wasted time, and lower levels of family anxiety and depressed feelings when compared to inpatients. Participants in co...Continue Reading

References

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Citations

Jan 7, 2016·Journal of Pain and Symptom Management·Nikki McCaffreyDavid C Currow
Jan 4, 2017·Journal of Pain and Symptom Management·David C CurrowRussell K Portenoy
Jan 9, 2018·BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care·Nicole HenekaJane L Phillips
Mar 31, 2017·Palliative & Supportive Care·Tanya M PidgeonKathy Eagar
Feb 6, 2020·Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official Journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology·Arif H KamalIrene J Higginson
Feb 6, 2020·Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official Journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology·David C CurrowJane L Phillips
May 19, 2020·Journal of Wound Care·Suzanne Kapp, Nick Santamaria
May 11, 2019·The American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care·Danielle ZweersSaskia C C M Teunissen
Sep 23, 2020·BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care·Elene JanberidzeMartin Loučka
Jan 12, 2021·Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing·Srisuda NgamkhamEllen Lavoie Smith
Apr 2, 2019·Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing·Srisuda NgamkhamEllen Lavoie Smith

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