Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS-r) Scale on a tertiary palliative care unit.
Method: There were 92 admitted patients who participated in the study; the scale was administered to those able to participate on day 1 (n = 35, 38 percent), on day 4 (n = 20, 21 percent), and weekly. Patient comfort level with the ESAS-r tool was assessed using a 5-point Likert scale (strongly disagree to strongly agree) on day 4. Nurses' and physicians' perceptions of clinical assessment pre- and postimplementation of the scale were surveyed using a 5-point Likert scale.
Results: Of the participating physicians, 75 percent (n = 3) found that the ESAS-r Scale did not enhance clinical assessment; the proportion of nurses with that response was 37.5 percent (n = 6). Among these care providers, 50 percent of the physicians (n = 2) and 62 percent of the nurses (n = 10) thought that the scale was burdensome to patients; but 60 percent of the patients who were able to complete the comfort-level survey (n = 12) indicated that they did not find the scale burdensome.
Conclusion: Patient acuity, team expertise, perceived burden to patients, and time commitment all influenced staff's recommendation not to implement the ESAS-r tool on the palliative care unit.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/082585971503100107 | DOI Listing |
Clin Case Rep
January 2025
Intraperitoneal administration of depot corticosteroids following an initial paracentesis reduces ascitic fluid formation and extends the interval between subsequent paracentesis sessions. This approach may effectively manage recurrent malignant ascites and enhance patients' quality of life.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCureus
November 2024
Department of Radiology, Pain Relief and Palliative Care Unit, Aretaeio Hospital/National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, GRC.
Introduction HIV stigma levels are high in Greece. HIV stigma hinders testing, healthcare access, and treatment adherence, often leading to non-disclosure. The discloser navigates challenges by balancing the confidant's potential reactions, ranging from rejection and discrimination to the benefits of increased intimacy and liking.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Adolescent girls with diagnoses of autism, ADHD and/or developmental coordination disorder (DCD) are at higher risk for mental health problems than boys with the same diagnoses and neurotypical girls. These girls are called neurodivergent here, though neurodivergence includes a broader range of diagnoses. One possible reason for this mental health disparity could be camouflaging, a coping strategy used more by girls.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFClin Colon Rectal Surg
January 2025
Divisions of Colon and Rectal Surgery and Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.
Patients with advanced colorectal cancer nearing the end of life require a multidisciplinary approach to address the unique challenges they face. Using a case vignette, we outline the various stages of a patient's journey with advanced rectal cancer and the common obstacles to their care as they interface with the medical system. We highlight how Black persons might be vulnerable to differences in screening, treatment, procedural interventions, end-of-life care, and health care decision-making.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!