Abstract
Letters to the Editor
The trend toward state legalization of medicinal and recreational cannabis has invited increased cannabis use by oncology patients. However, there are scant guidelines on the dosage, tolerability, efficacy, and side effect profile of cannabis in this population. (page 448)
Brief Reports
Study examining the quality of POLST forms prepared for nursing home residents, including whether they had required signatures and clinically consistent care preferences. (page 538)
Fast Facts and Concepts
Topical Treatments for Acute and Chronic Wound Pain #327 (page 560)
Naloxone for Outpatients at Risk of Opioid Overdose #328 (page 562)
Personal Reflection
I'm not really sure who this story is about—the 23-year-old son, diagnosed at the age of 3 years with a neuroblastoma and was now suffering from the secondary complications of the treatment that initially saved his life. Or the father, whose dedication and love for his son were unwavering and steadfast throughout it all. (page 564)
Case Discussions in Palliative Medicine
Case of a chronically critically ill patient after major cardiac surgery who was hemodynamically stable after a long course in the cardiothoracic intensive care unit, but had persistent and unremitting delirium. (page 569)
Book and Media Reviews
(page 573)
Palliative Care Scorecard
The authors describe the development of a scorecard with quality measures from the Measuring What Matters project using data automatically extracted from an electronic health record. (page 517)
Growth of Chaplaincy
This study provides the first description of chaplains working in palliative care in the United States. The findings suggest that teams with chaplains provide more comprehensive support to patients and their families. (page 502)
Palliative Radiation for Painful Bone Metastasis
In this study of practice norms, researchers found that only 25% of patients with uncomplicated bone metastases were treated with single fraction radiation therapy. (page 478)
Young Adults and Cancer
In this qualitative study, young adults with cancer identified more benefits than burdens throughout cancer treatment and demonstrated rapid maturation of perspectives. The authors' findings may inform communication practices with young adults to improve outcomes. (page 494)
Intensity of Care for Young Adults
Young adults with cancer who received palliative care services had less intensive treatment at end of life and fewer deaths in the intensive care unit. (page 509)
Quality of Life in Children with Serious Illness
Researchers surveyed more than 400 pediatricians and nurses to identify important quality-of-life issues for children, such as playing and learning; spending time with family; making memories; having good relationships with medical staff; and living one's life as usual, among other priorities. (page 487)
Hospice in Singapore
The authors present an 11-year study of home hospice service trends in Singapore. (page 461)
Palliative Care in Dementia
The European Association for Palliative Care recently issued a framework that defines optimal palliative care in dementia. The authors surveyed physicians in The Netherlands and the United Kingdom about the challenges of implementing this framework in clinical practice. (page 473)