Optimizing pain relief in a specialized outpatient palliative radiotherapy clinic: Contributions of a clinical pharmacist

Gagnon, Lori; Fairchild, Alysa; Pituskin, Edith; Dutka, Jennifer; Chambers, Carole

doi:10.1177/1078155211402104

Cited by 28 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Similarly the RAPRP brain metastases clinic is staffed by a radiation oncologist, a nurse practitioner, a radiation therapist, a social worker, an occupational therapist and a dietician [22]. Medication counseling took place in 84% of all visits: 88% of the time opioid toxicity screening was needed, 86% of the time bowel routines were addressed, 29% of the time a change in analgesics was recommended and 17% of the time communication with a c ommunity pharmacy was required [31]. This program has published a follow-up report as well, which further demonstrates how multidisciplinary assessments contributed to improvements in patient reported pain relief, tiredness, depression, anxiety, drowsiness and overall well being 4 weeks after the day of initial assessment [30].…”

Section: Collaboration With Allied Oncology Professionalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rapid Access Palliative Radiation Therapy Programs: An Efficient Model of Care

et al. 2015

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Palliating symptoms of advanced and metastatic cancers are one of the most common indications for radiation therapy (RT), and the demand for palliative RT is increasing. Dedicated rapid access palliative RT programs improve access to care, and can deliver RT in a more efficient and evidence-based manner than standard RT programs. In this narrative review, we discuss the role of palliative RT in comprehensive cancer care, and challenges that have faced patients trying to access it. We describe how rapid access programs developed to address these challenges and provide an overview of dedicated programs worldwide. Finally, we show how these programs can serve as models for multidisciplinary care and education, and sources of exciting research opportunities in clinical care and advanced technologies.

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Section: Collaboration With Allied Oncology Professionalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rapid Access Palliative Radiation Therapy Programs: An Efficient Model of Care

et al. 2015

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“…14 Several publications indicated that the inclusion of pharmacists in interdisciplinary pain teams successfully decreased drug-related problems and demonstrated initial and prolonged pain relief. [14][15][16][17] A meta-analysis of 4 studies by Edwards et al in February 2019 confirmed that pharmacist educational interventions for patients with cancer pain showed promise in reducing pain intensity. 18 In view of this fact, Chinese clinical pharmacists are trying to participate in the multidisciplinary management of cancer pain by providing a professional pain medication guide and helping patients effectively control pain.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of pharmacist interventions as part of a multidisciplinary cancer pain management team in a Chinese academic medical center

Liu¹,

Chen²,

Luo³

et al. 2020

Journal of the American Pharmacists Association

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“…Positive effects of educational interventions that pharmacists delivered to patients with chronic pain have been reported 11. Moreover, in outpatients receiving palliative care, pharmacists have been shown to contribute to optimised pain therapy and symptom control 12. As previously reported,13 multidisciplinary pain management including interventions by pharmacists increases guideline adherence and even improves the patients’ individual pain situation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 87%

A cohort study investigating medication management by pharmacists to prevent drug-related problems in pain therapy

et al. 2014

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Objectives We aimed at identifying drug-related problems in pain therapy and assessed the effect of medication management by pharmacists in routine care. Methods We performed a cohort study consisting of a control (no pharmaceutical service) and a medication management group receiving pharmaceutical services including recommendations to physicians. We defined pharmacotherapeutic and administrative drug-related problems in pain therapy and analysed patient charts to assess the outcomes. Active participants in the study were not involved in study assessment. Outcomes were the number of patients and the number of analgesic prescriptions with drug-related problems. Results We analysed 414 medication records (controls: 208, medication management: 206). Our intervention had no influence on the number of patients with drugrelated problems following analgesic prescriptions (control: 166/208, 80% vs medication management: 155/206, 75%, p=0.266). In 98 control group patients (47%), we found at least four drug-related problems. This fraction was smaller in the medication management group, with 66 patients (32%; p=0.002). The number of analgesic prescriptions leading to drug-related problems decreased from controls with 381/627 (61%) to 308/ 654 (47%) in the medication management group ( p<0.001). Conclusions Current pain therapy standards were not strictly adhered to in routine analgesic prescriptions for orthopaedic patients. The inclusion of pharmacists into the team successfully decreased drug-related problems. However, further interventions are required to achieve optimal effects.

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Optimizing pain relief in a specialized outpatient palliative radiotherapy clinic: Contributions of a clinical pharmacist

Abstract: The CP plays a key role in holistic patient assessment and optimization of pharmacologic therapy, contributing to improved symptom control of patients receiving palliative RT.

Cited by 28 publications

References 26 publications

Rapid Access Palliative Radiation Therapy Programs: An Efficient Model of Care

Rapid Access Palliative Radiation Therapy Programs: An Efficient Model of Care

Evaluation of pharmacist interventions as part of a multidisciplinary cancer pain management team in a Chinese academic medical center

A cohort study investigating medication management by pharmacists to prevent drug-related problems in pain therapy

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