Can symptom relief be provided in the home to palliative care cancer patients by the primary caregivers? An Indian study.

Background: A large proportion of cancer deaths occur in the developing world, with limited resources for palliative care. Many patients dying at home experience difficult symptoms.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of a structured training program on symptom management along with an acute symptom management kit for primary caregivers of cancer patients receiving home care.

Clinical problem solving ability of BSc and diploma nursing students in Indian setting--a comparison.

Clinical Problem Solving Ability (CPSA) is an important skill essential for nurses to achieve professional excellence which is developed during the educational process. A sample of 215 students from BSc and Diploma nursing educational programmes were studied to determine their CPSA and the differences were compared. A written simulation instrument (Ezhilarasu, 2000) with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.

Correlation of health-related quality of life with other disease severity indices in Indian chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

Background: Improvement in quality of life (QOL) has become a focus for the management of incurable chronic diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study investigates factors influencing the QOL of patients with COPD in India.

Methods: Seventy-three consecutive COPD patients visiting an outpatient pulmonary clinic underwent health-related QOL (HRQOL) assessment using the World Health Organization's QOL abbreviated questionnaire and St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ).