Attitudes of patients and staff to research in a specialist palliative care unit.

Many randomized trials in specialist palliative care (SPC) have failed to recruit sufficient numbers of patients. A questionnaire was designed to assess the attitudes of inpatients of a SPC unit to taking part in research. Only 50% of patients were considered physically and mentally fit for interview.

Patient-held records in cancer and palliative care: a randomized, prospective trialt.

Objectives: To evaluate prospectively the introduction of a patient-held record (PHR) in the management of patients with advanced cancer and palliative care needs.

Design: a) A prospective, parallel group, randomized controlled trial. b) A postal survey of the opinions of health professionals whose patients had a PHR.