Initial Assessment of Patients Without Cognitive Failure Admitted in Palliative Care

Abstract

Aim:

To develop a screening tool that was short, not time consuming but able to detect the patients’ main problems at admission.

Methods:

A list of 106 symptoms/problems derived from a review of the literature was created and shortened using a Delphi process.

Results:

Thirteen experts scored each item with a numeric rating scale of 0 to 10 for relevance. After 3 rounds, the list was shortened to 14 items: general question—what bothers you the most? symptoms/problems—pain, lack of appetite, vomiting, tiredness/fatigue, nausea, constipation, shortness of breath, depression, anxiety, difficulty sleeping; activity (dressing, washing, etc); support from family/friends; and well-being.

Conclusion:

The final tool is short and seems to include the relevant items that would make it useful for clinical practice.

Keywords

palliative care assessment tool Delphi method initial assessment literature review symptoms

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