Neuro-ophthalmic outcomes after carotid intervention for ocular symptoms.

Background: The long-term neuro-ophthalmic outcomes after carotid intervention in patients presenting with preoperative visual symptoms vary widely based on the underlying etiology of retinal ischemia and are not well understood.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of consecutive patients presenting with retinal ischemia who subsequently underwent carotid intervention from January 2018 to December 2022. Patients were classified into three groups (group I: amaurosis fugax/vascular transient monocular vision loss, group II: ocular ischemic syndrome [OIS], and group III: central/branch retinal artery occlusion).

Association between opioid use disorder and palliative care: a cohort study using linked health administrative data in Ontario, Canada.

Background: People with opioid use disorder (OUD) are at risk of premature death and can benefit from palliative care. We sought to compare palliative care provision for decedents with and without OUD.

Methods: We conducted a cohort study using health administrative databases in Ontario, Canada, to identify people who died between July 1, 2015, and Dec.

Palliative End-of-Life Medication Prescribing Rates in Long-Term Care: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Medications are often needed to manage distressing end-of-life symptoms (eg, pain, agitation).

Objectives: In this study, we describe the variation in prescribing rates of symptom relief medications at the end of life among long-term care (LTC) decedents. We evaluate the extent these medications are prescribed in LTC homes and whether prescribing rates of end-of-life symptom management can be used as an indicator of quality end-of-life care.

Subcutaneous administration of drugs and hydration in acute palliative care units: Physician attitudes and beliefs in the United States and Canada.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the attitudes and beliefs of PCU physicians leaders in the United States versus Canada regarding the subcutaneous method in the administration of medications and hydration in order to gain a better understanding as to why variations in practice exist.

Methods: This survey trial took place from November 2022 to May 2023. The MD Anderson Cancer Center institutional review board in Houston, Texas, approved this study.

Palliative care interventions for patients with head and neck cancer: protocol for a scoping review.

Introduction: A head and neck cancer (HNC) diagnosis significantly impacts a patient's quality of life (QOL). Palliative care potentially improves their QOL. We will conduct a scoping review to identify existing knowledge about palliative care interventions for patients with HNC.

Managing opioids and mitigating opioid risks in patients with cancer: An environmental scan of the attitudes, confidence, and practices of ambulatory, community and hospital pharmacists practicing in Canada.

Introduction: Canada is in the midst of an overdose crisis. The use of prescription opioids in Canada has increased steadily over the past two decades, with stark increases in opioid-induced respiratory depression and related deaths. Opioids are the mainstay of treatment for cancer-related pain.

Telehealth palliative care interventions for patients with advanced cancer: a scoping review.

Purpose: Telehealth allows patients to maintain contact with healthcare providers without necessitating travel, and is becoming increasingly utilized. The purpose of this study is to describe the components of telehealth palliative care interventions for patients with advanced cancer before the COVID-19 pandemic; identify any intervention components associated with improvements in outcomes; and evaluate reporting of interventions.

Methods: This scoping review was registered on the Open Science Framework.

Safe Prescribing Practices: Clinicians' Views on Prescribing Opioids to Patients With Early-Stage Cancer.

Purpose: Opioids are often necessary for patients experiencing high-intensity pain. However, side effects exist and some patients may misuse opioids. To better understand how opioids are prescribed to patients with early-stage cancer and how to enhance opioid safety, clinicians' views of opioid prescribing were explored.

Gβγ subunits colocalize with RNA polymerase II and regulate transcription in cardiac fibroblasts.

Gβγ subunits mediate many different signaling processes in various compartments of the cell, including the nucleus. To gain insight into the functions of nuclear Gβγ signaling, we investigated the functional role of Gβγ signaling in the regulation of GPCR-mediated gene expression in primary rat neonatal cardiac fibroblasts. We identified a novel, negative, regulatory role for the Gβγ dimer in the fibrotic response.

Telehealth outpatient palliative care in the COVID-19 pandemic: patient experience qualitative study.

Objectives: Outpatient in-person early palliative care improves quality of life for patients with advanced cancer. The COVID-19 pandemic forced a rapid shift to telehealth visits; however, little is known about how telehealth in outpatient palliative care settings should be optimised beyond the pandemic. We aimed to explore, from the perspective of patients attending an outpatient palliative care clinic, the most appropriate model of care for in-person versus telehealth visits.

The positive impact of a telemedicine education program on healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, Canada.

Context The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health care service and delivery has been profound. In addition to shifting and expanding clinical responsibilities, rapidly evolving information and guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult for healthcare workers (HCWs) to synthesize and translate COVID-19 information into practice. Objective The objectives of this study are 1) to examine the impact of a telemedicine education program on HCW's self-efficacy and satisfaction and 2) to explore HCWs' experience in the program and context of practice during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Opioid Disposal Practices of Patients With Life-Limiting Cancers in an Outpatient Palliative Care Clinic: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Patients with life-limiting cancers are commonly prescribed opioids to manage pain, dyspnea, and cough. Proper prescription opioid disposal is essential to prevent poisonings and deaths. We examined opioid disposal practices of patients referred to a Canadian outpatient palliative care clinic (OPCC).

Palliative care for people who use drugs during communicable disease epidemics and pandemics: A scoping review on access, policies, and programs and guidelines.

Background: People who use drugs with life-limiting illnesses experience substantial barriers to accessing palliative care. Demand for palliative care is expected to increase during communicable disease epidemics and pandemics. Understanding how epidemics and pandemics affect palliative care for people who use drugs is important from a service delivery perspective and for reducing population health inequities.

Family physicians' involvement in palliative cancer care.

Background: Family physicians' (FPs) long-term relationships with their oncology patients position them ideally to provide primary palliative care, yet their involvement is variable. We examined perceptions of FP involvement among outpatients receiving palliative care at a cancer center and identified factors associated with this involvement.

Methods: Patients with advanced cancer attending an oncology palliative care clinic (OPCC) completed a 25-item survey.

Management of Malignant Bowel Obstruction: An Innovative Proactive Outpatient Nurse-Led Model of Care for Patients With Advanced Gynecologic Cancer.

Background: Malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) in patients with advanced gynecologic cancer (GyCa) can negatively impact clinical outcomes and quality of life. Oncology nurses can support these patients with adequate tools/processes.

Problem: Patients with GyCa with/at risk of MBO endure frequent emergency or hospital admissions, impacting patient care.

MASCC multidisciplinary evidence-based recommendations for the management of malignant bowel obstruction in advanced cancer.

Purpose: To provide evidence-based recommendations on the management of malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) for patients with advanced cancer.

Methods: The Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) MBO study group conducted a systematic review of databases (inception to March 2021) to identify studies about patients with advanced cancer and MBO that reported on the following outcomes: symptom management, bowel obstruction resolution, prognosis, overall survival, and quality of life. The review was restricted to studies published in English, but no restrictions were placed on publication year, country, and study type.

Positive impact of a telemedicine education program on practicing health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, Canada: A mixed methods study of an Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) program.

Introduction: In addition to shifting and expanding clinical responsibilities, rapidly evolving information and guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult for health care workers (HCW) to synthesise and translate COVID-19 information into practice. This study evaluated whether a COVID-19-specific telemedicine education program (ECHO COVID) would impact health care workers' self-efficacy and satisfaction in the management of patients with COVID-19.

Methods: A prospective mixed methods parallel-design study was conducted among ECHO COVID participants using pre-post questionnaires and a focus group discussion.

Palliative care for people who use substances during communicable disease epidemics and pandemics: a scoping review protocol.

Introduction: Communicable disease epidemics and pandemics magnify the health inequities experienced by marginalised populations. People who use substances suffer from high rates of morbidity and mortality and should be a priority to receive palliative care, yet they encounter many barriers to palliative care access. Given the pre-existing inequities to palliative care access for people with life-limiting illnesses who use substances, it is important to understand the impact of communicable disease epidemics and pandemics such as COVID-19 on this population.