Advances in breathlessness support services for people with serious illness.

Curr Opin Support Palliat Care

Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy & Rehabilitation, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care, King's College London, London, UK.

Published: December 2024

AI Article Synopsis

  • Breathlessness is a common and distressing symptom in individuals with serious diseases, especially as the illness progresses, prompting the need for effective support services.
  • Recent evidence highlights the clinical and cost-effectiveness of breathlessness support services, with expansions into various settings and the integration of digital platforms making them more accessible.
  • Increased focus on the psychological aspects of managing breathlessness suggests that optimizing these support services can significantly enhance the quality of life for those affected by serious illnesses.

Article Abstract

Purpose Of Review: Breathlessness remains a common and distressing symptom among people with serious illness, particularly in advanced disease. This review synthesises recent advances in the development, characteristics, and outcomes of breathlessness support services.

Recent Findings: The expanding body of evidence regarding breathlessness support services has broadened and strengthened our understanding of clinical and cost-effectiveness. The expansion of these services, into diverse settings and including digital delivery, has augmented their reach and accessibility to a wider population. Additionally, there is increasing attention to the psychological aspects of breathlessness and its management, including the challenges of optimising breathlessness support services for long-term benefit.

Summary: Recent studies have made substantial progress in enhancing our knowledge of breathlessness support services and their impact on people with serious illness. Innovations extending services into new countries and settings, including use of digital platforms for intervention delivery, plus increased recognition of psychological mechanisms, have the potential to support more people with serious illness to live as best as possible with breathlessness.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/SPC.0000000000000723DOI Listing

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