Within and between day repeatability of the incremental shuttle walking test in patients with thoracic cancer.

Background: Breathlessness is common in patients with thoracic cancer but difficult to manage. The Incremental Shuttle Walking Test (ISWT) can help assess new treatments, but its repeatability has not been described in this group.

Aim: To examine within and between day repeatability of the ISWT in this setting.

"It's not all doom and gloom": perceptions of medical students talking to hospice patients.

Background: End-of-life care has become a priority in medical education internationally. A previous study of hospice patients and staff regarding medical students teaching in a hospice showed positive responses from patients and hospice staff. However concern was expressed by some staff regarding medical students' welfare, contributing to gatekeeping by professionals.

Primary thromboprophylaxis for hospice inpatients: who needs it?

Primary thromboprophylaxis (PTP) is a Department of Health priority in England. The NICE guidelines agree that PTP is inappropriate in the dying patient, but should be considered for those with reversible pathology. In the light of continued variation and uncertainty in UK hospice practice, we assessed PTP prescribing in three hospices.