Effective Management of Breathlessness in Advanced Cancer Patients With a Program-Based, Multidisciplinary Approach: The "SOB Program" in Hong Kong

Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
Wing-lok ChanTo-wai Leung

Abstract

Breathlessness is common in patients with advanced cancer. Using a multidisciplinary approach for relieving this challenging symptom was believed to be just a theory. The "SOB Program" was implemented in our institution in March 2013. An audit of medical records before and after implementation of the "SOB Program" was performed to identify any changes in practice after implementation, specifically in the use of nonpharmacologic interventions. The "SOB Program" is a multidisciplinary service in our department, using both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions for all patients with advanced cancer who have dyspnea. There was a marked increase in the use of nonpharmacologic interventions after the "SOB Program" (26.86% preimplementation vs. 89.35% postimplementation). Patients joining the program also had satisfactory improvement in breathlessness. A multidisciplinary approach for breathlessness control is both feasible and practical. Similar services can be promoted in other palliative care centers.

References

Aug 8, 2008·Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care·Amy P Abernethy, Jane L Wheeler
May 18, 2010·Journal of Pain and Symptom Management·Sarah GalbraithSara Booth
Feb 18, 2012·American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·Mark B ParshallUNKNOWN American Thoracic Society Committee on Dyspnea

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Citations

Jun 15, 2021·Current Oncology Reports·Katie L Dziedzic, Ross H Albert

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