Palliative and end-of-life care for patients with pleural mesothelioma: A cohort study.

Background: Pleural mesothelioma is a rare and incurable cancer, with complex physical and psychological symptoms. Despite recent advances in treatment, prognosis remains poor (average 8-15 months) with a lack of research on palliative and end-of-life care.

Aim: To examine markers suggestive of quality palliative and end-of-life care, including receipt of specialist palliative care, advance care planning, fewer unplanned hospital admissions at end-of-life.

Assessing the sensitivity and acceptability of the Royal Marsden Palliative Care Referral "Triggers" Tool for outpatients with cancer.

Purpose: To evaluate the use, acceptability, and experience of a seven-item palliative care referral screening tool in an outpatient oncology setting.

Methods: A two-phase convergent parallel mixed-methods study. Patient participants who met any of the "Royal Marsden Triggers Tool" criteria were compared with those who did not in terms of demographic data, palliative care needs (Integrated Palliative Outcome Scale, IPOS) and quality of life indicators (EORTC-QLQ-C30).

Non-invasive technology to assess hydration status in advanced cancer to explore relationships between fluid status and symptoms: an observational study using bioelectrical impedance analysis.

Background: Oral fluid intake decreases in advanced cancer in the dying phase of illness. There is inadequate evidence to support the assessment, and management, of hydration in the dying. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a body composition assessment tool.

Recognising dying in motor neurone disease: A scoping review.

Introduction: Timely identification of dying in motor neurone disease enables optimal care, yet we know that healthcare professionals can fail to recognise when death is approaching. Clinical factors help predict the end of life in other terminal conditions. Examining these principles in motor neurone disease would help guide more accurate recognition of this critical phase.

Mechanisms of end-of-life communication contributing to optimal care at the end of life: a review of reviews.

Background: End-of-life communication is an essential component of high-quality care, but its potential mechanisms for improving care are not well understood.

Objectives: To summarise the potential mechanisms by which end-of-life communication may contribute to enhanced end-of-life care in any setting.

Design: An overview of systematic reviews, with a narrative synthesis of results.