Multi-center Study to Assess the Feasibility of the Self-Check Program for Palliative Care Team

Introduction: Number of palliative care team increase every year, but the quality of team might differ from each other. We developed “Self-Check Program for Palliative Care Team” to assess and improve the quality of palliative care team. We report the result of the multi-center study to assess the feasibility of this program. Methods: We underwent the “Self-Check Program” as a trial at seven hospitals in Japan in February 2016. We took a questionnaire survey to team leaders and participants to assess the feasibility of this program. Results: Fifty-two medical staffs in six hospitals accomplished this program. Time scheduling and the integration of opinions from each team members were the difficulties came up from questionnaire survey. All team leaders and 87.8% of the participants answered that this program was effective to extract and improve the problem of the team. Also 83.3% of the team leaders were satisfied with the process of planning. Conclusion: Despite some difficulties, majority of the participants considering useful, this program is considered feasible.

Areas Considered Important by Patients Undergoing Anti-cancer Therapy and the Subjective QOL: The SEIQoL-DW of Outpatients under Palliative Care

Introduction: SEIQoL-DW is a method of measuring the subjective QOL by focusing on five areas considered important by the patient in a semi-structured counseling session. The objective of this study was to evaluate areas considered important by patients undergoing anti-cancer therapy and the subjective QOL. Methods: SEIQoL-DW was carried out consecutively on patients who met the inclusion criteria such as pain STAS-J 1 or lower at palliative care outpatient service. Results: The study was implemented on 68 subjects (35 anti-cancer therapy patients, and 33 palliative care patients). Commonly selected areas by anti-cancer therapy patients were “family” at 94%, “cancer treatment” at 69%, “health” at 43%, “friends” at 43%, “hobbies” at 40%. The mean subjective QOL of anti-cancer therapy patients was significantly lower than that of palliative care patients (61.5 vs 74.4). Conclusion: The area “family” makes great impact on the QOL. On the other hand, putting high importance on “cancer treatment” may have a negative impact on the QOL.