Evidence for Improving Palliative Care at the End of Life: A Systematic Review
Annals of Internal MedicinePublished 15 January 2008
Karl Lorenz, Joanne Lynn, Sydney M. Dy, Lisa R. Shugarman, Anne Wilkinson, Richard A. Mularski
Citations591
SJR quartileQ1
SJR score3.38
SNIP3.27
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TL;DR
This report focused on cancer, chronic heart failure, and dementia to illustrate differences in patient and caregiver experiences in the 3 characteristic trajectories of clinical and functional decline as they approach the end of life.
Abstract
Strong to moderate evidence supports interventions to improve important aspects of end-of-life care. Future research should quantify these effects and address the generalizability of insights across the conditions and settings of the last part of life. Many critical issues lack high-quality evidence.
Keywords
Medicine
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This evidence report on Management of Cancer Symptoms: Pain, Depression, and Fatigue was produced on request from the Office of Medical Applications of Research (OMAR) at the National Institutes of Health for a State of theScience Conference.
Journal of Cardiac FailureEffects of exercise training on peak performance and quality of life in congestive heart failure patients
119 Citations1999Stephen S. Gottlieb, Michael L. Fisher +7 more
Elderly patients with severe heart failure can safely exercise, with an improvement in peak exercise tolerance, however, not all patients will benefit, and daily energy expenditure and quality of life do not improve to the same extent as peak exercise.
Archives of Internal MedicineImprovements in Advance Care Planning in the Veterans Affairs System
114 Citations2005Robert A. Pearlman, Helene Starks +2 more
An educational and motivational intervention in Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinics to increase ACP use and proxy and health care provider understanding of patients' preferences and values demonstrates mixed results.
PubMedEffects of a program for coordinated care of advanced illness on patients, surrogates, and healthcare costs: a randomized trial.
113 Citations2006Joseph B. Engelhardt, Kimberly P. McClive-Reed +4 more
The AICCP improved satisfaction with care and helped patients develop and revise more ADs, sooner, without affecting mortality.
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care MedicineOutcomes of Advance Directive Education of Pulmonary Rehabilitation Patients
110 Citations1997John E. Heffner, Bonnie Fahy +2 more
It is concluded that patients enrolled in pulmonary rehabilitation are receptive to advance care planning, which is promoted by education on end-of-life issues, and the educational intervention was an independent explanatory factor by multivariate analysis.
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