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. 2005 Nov;13(11):865-9.
doi: 10.1007/s00520-005-0818-3. Epub 2005 Apr 29.

Assessment and treatment of symptoms among Italian medical oncologists

Giampiero Porzio  1 , Marco Valenti, Federica Aielli, Lucilla Verna, Enrico Ricevuto, Anna Iolanda Rispoli, Katia Cannita, Paolo Marchetti, Corrado Ficorella
Affiliations

Assessment and treatment of symptoms among Italian medical oncologists

Giampiero Porzio et al. Support Care Cancer. 2005 Nov.

Abstract

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.

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