TY - JOUR
T1 - Assessment and treatment of symptoms among Italian medical oncologists
AU - Porzio, Giampiero
AU - Valenti, Marco
AU - Aielli, Federica
AU - Verna, Lucilla
AU - Ricevuto, Enrico
AU - Rispoli, Anna Iolanda
AU - Cannita, Katia
AU - Marchetti, Paolo
AU - Ficorella, Corrado
PY - 2005/11
Y1 - 2005/11
N2 - Objectives: This work was conducted to evaluate symptoms assessment and use of patient-tailored protocols in clinical practice among Italian medical oncologists. Methods: A questionnaire based on four topics (assessment of symptoms, assessment of a specific symptom, assessment of pain, use of patient-tailored protocols of treatment) was administered to 250 Italian medical oncologists. Results: Of these oncologists, 43.7% used multiple symptoms tools and 37.9% used symptom specific tools; 58.9% used some instrument to assess pain. More than a third of the respondents (35.5%) used patient-tailored protocols. No statistical differences were found regarding region of residency, availability of consultants in pain therapy and/or palliative care, colleagues with main interest on palliative care, and beds dedicated to palliative care. Statistically significant differences were found regarding the position (staff/resident) in three out four topics. Conclusions: Among Italian medical oncologists, the instruments used for assessment of symptoms are poorly employed. Even when these instruments are used, patient-tailored protocols are rarely administered.
AB - Objectives: This work was conducted to evaluate symptoms assessment and use of patient-tailored protocols in clinical practice among Italian medical oncologists. Methods: A questionnaire based on four topics (assessment of symptoms, assessment of a specific symptom, assessment of pain, use of patient-tailored protocols of treatment) was administered to 250 Italian medical oncologists. Results: Of these oncologists, 43.7% used multiple symptoms tools and 37.9% used symptom specific tools; 58.9% used some instrument to assess pain. More than a third of the respondents (35.5%) used patient-tailored protocols. No statistical differences were found regarding region of residency, availability of consultants in pain therapy and/or palliative care, colleagues with main interest on palliative care, and beds dedicated to palliative care. Statistically significant differences were found regarding the position (staff/resident) in three out four topics. Conclusions: Among Italian medical oncologists, the instruments used for assessment of symptoms are poorly employed. Even when these instruments are used, patient-tailored protocols are rarely administered.
KW - Italy
KW - Medical oncologists
KW - Supportive care
KW - Symptoms assessment
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U2 - 10.1007/s00520-005-0818-3
DO - 10.1007/s00520-005-0818-3
M3 - Article
C2 - 15864660
AN - SCOPUS:27144433492
VL - 13
SP - 865
EP - 869
JO - Supportive Care in Cancer
JF - Supportive Care in Cancer
SN - 0941-4355
IS - 11
ER -