Publications by authors named "R K Portenoy"

Rapid declines in opioid analgesics dispensed in American communities since 2011 raise concerns about inadequate access to effective pain management among patients for whom opioid therapies are appropriate, especially for those living in racial/ethnic minority and socioeconomically deprived communities. Using 2011 to 2021 national data from the Automated Reports and Consolidated Ordering System and generalized linear models, this study examined quarterly per capita distribution of oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine (in oral morphine milligram equivalents [MMEs]) by communities' racial/ethnic and socioeconomic profiles. Communities (defined by 3-digit-zip codes areas) were classified as "majority White" (≥50% self-reported non-Hispanic White population) vs "majority non-White.

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Article Synopsis
  • Estimates show a significant need for palliative care in low- and middle-income countries, particularly regarding access to essential opioids for pain relief.
  • The DOME (Distributed Opioids in Morphine Equivalents) methodology quantifies this need by converting procured opioid quantities into morphine equivalents, allowing for a clearer assessment of unmet pain relief requirements.
  • By using DOME and its metrics, countries can evaluate their health systems' capacity for palliative care and address gaps, ultimately improving health coverage and access to necessary treatments.
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Background: A primary palliative care model for cystic fibrosis (CF) recommends using the Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Scale (IPOS) for screening. Validation of the IPOS is needed.

Methods: This secondary analysis utilized baseline data from a multisite trial of the palliative care model, Improving Life with CF.

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Educating Social Workers in Palliative and End-of-Life Care (ESPEC) is a nationally scalable continuing education program designed to improve the knowledge and skills of frontline health social workers caring for patients with serious illness. This article describes ESPEC's rationale, development, and initial implementation. Following the creation of consensus-derived core primary palliative care competencies for health primary care social workers based on the eight domains of palliative care outlined in the National Consensus Project Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care, an evidence-based curriculum was developed.

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