Projected referral to other healthcare services in an outpatient palliative radiotherapy clinic

Aims: To investigate the projected referral to other healthcare services in an outpatient palliative radiotherapy clinic. Methods: Patients referred for palliative radiotherapy from 1999 to 2002 inclusive and 2007 to 2009 inclusive were evaluated. The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System, which assess...

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Published in:Expert review of pharmacoeconomics & outcomes research 2012-04, Vol.12 (2), p.237-243
Main Authors: Nguyen, Janet, Di Giovanni, Julia, Zhang, Liying, Popovic, Marko, Zeng, Liang, Jamani, Rehana, Cramarossa, Gemma, Culleton, Shaelyn, Jon, Florence, Chow, Edward
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anxiety
Cancer therapies
Fatigue
healthcare facilities
Medical personnel
Metastasis
Oncology
Pain
Palliative care
Patients
Radiation therapy
referral and consultation
signs and symptoms
Symptom management
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Summary:Aims: To investigate the projected referral to other healthcare services in an outpatient palliative radiotherapy clinic. Methods: Patients referred for palliative radiotherapy from 1999 to 2002 inclusive and 2007 to 2009 inclusive were evaluated. The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System, which assesses nine symptoms, was completed by 1439 patients prior to radiotherapy consultation. The numeric scale was converted into a categorical scale of none, mild, moderate and severe. Patients with moderate-to-severe symptoms were identified as potential referrals to other healthcare services. Results: Tiredness (66%), poor sense of wellbeing (64%), pain (57%) and poor appetite (52%) had the most patients scoring in the moderate-to-severe range. Moderate-to-severe anxiety and depression occurred in 39 and 30% of patients, respectively, reflecting the percentage of projected referrals for symptom and/or psychosocial management. Conclusion: Cancer symptoms are complex, and a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach should be taken to provide timely management and maintain patients quality of life.
ISSN:1473-7167
1744-8379
DOI:10.1586/erp.12.4