Validation of a French version of the Breakthrough Pain Assessment Tool in cancer patients: Factorial structure, reliability and responsiveness.

OBJECTIVE: Breakthrough cancer pain should be properly assessed for better-personalized treatment plan. The Breakthrough Pain Assessment Tool is a 14-item tool validated in English developed for this purpose; no French version is currently available and validated. This study aimed to translate it in French and assess the psychometric properties of a French version of the Breakthrough Pain Assessment Tool (BAT-FR). METHODS: First, translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the 14 items (9 ordinal and 5 nominal) of the original BAT tool in French language was made. Second, assessments of validity (convergent, divergent and discriminant validity), factorial structure (exploratory factor analysis) and test-retest reliability of the 9 ordinal items were done with data of 130 adult cancer patients suffering from breakthrough pain in a hospital-academic palliative care center. Test-retest reliability and responsiveness of total and dimension scores derived from these 9 items were also assessed. Acceptability of the 14 items was also assessed on the 130 patients. RESULTS: The 14 items had good content and face validity. Convergent and divergent validity, discriminant validity and test-retest reliability of the ordinal items were acceptable. Test-retest reliability and responsiveness of total and dimensions derived from ordinal items were also acceptable. The factorial structure of the ordinal items had two dimensions similar to the original version: "1-pain severity and impact" and "2-pain duration and medication". Items 2 and 8 had a low contribution to the dimension 1 they were assigned and item 14 clearly changed of dimension compared with the original tool. The acceptability of the 14 items was good. CONCLUSION: The BAT-FR has shown acceptable validity, reliability and responsiveness supporting its use for assessing breakthrough cancer pain in French-speaking populations. Its structure needs nevertheless further confirmation.

Methadone and neuropathic cancer pain subcomponents: a prospective cohort pilot study.

Forty per cent of cancer pain associate neuropathic and nociceptive pain simultaneously, and refractory pain affects 15% of cancer pain. Methadone is an effective opioid in treating nociceptive pain and could have an effect on neuropathic pain. Uncertainty remains on its effects on the different subcomponents of neuropathic pain. OBJECTIVES: To identify which subcomponents of neuropathic cancer pain are addressed using methadone. METHODS: An observational prospective cohort study of palliative care inpatients after rotation for refractory neuropathic cancer pain. Pain intensity was assessed weekly for 28 days, using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI). RESULTS: Forty-eight patients were included and 17 completed the 28 days follow-up. VAS pain rating decreased by at least 20 mm in 47% of patients and the pain intensity was significantly lower at day 28 with 53% of patients with a VAS inferior to 4 (p<0.001). The pressure/squeezing component (NPSI score) decreased by more than 2 points in 50% of patients.A linear regression showed allodynia and pressure/squeezing were responsible for the largest part of the overall alleviation of pain (p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Methadone could significantly improve neuropathic pain through a targeted effect of allodynia and its pressure/squeezing component.

Deep continuous patient-requested sedation until death: a multicentric study.

OBJECTIVES: In 2016, a new law was adopted in France granting patients the right, under specific conditions, to continuous deep sedation until death (CDSUD). The goal of this study was to measure the frequency of requests for CDSUD from patients in palliative care. METHODS: The data collected from the medical records of patients in palliative care units (PCU) or followed by palliative care support teams (PCST) in the Rhône-Alpes area, who died after CDSUD, focused on the patient's characteristics, the drugs used (and compliance with regulatory processes). RESULTS: All 12 PCU and 12 of the 24 PCST were included. Among the 8500 patients followed, 42 (0.5%) requested CDSUD until death. The patients were: 65.7 (SD=13.7) years old, highly educated (69%), had cancer (81%), refractory symptoms (98%) and mostly psychoexistential distress (69%). The request was rejected for 2 (5%) patients and delayed for 31 (74%) patients. After a delay of a mean 8 days, 13 (31%) patients were granted CDSUD. The drug used was midazolam at 115 mg/24 hours (15-480), during a mean of 3 days. PCUs used lower dosages than PCSTs (83 vs 147), with significantly lower initial doses (39 mg vs 132 mg, p=0.01). A life-threatening condition was recorded in 13 cases (31%) and a collegial decision was taken in 25 cases (60%). CONCLUSION: This study highlights the low rate of request and the even lower rate of CDSUD in specialised palliative care. However, the sedation for psychoexistential distress and the lack of procedure records raise ethical questions.

Palliative care from the perspective of cancer physicians: a qualitative semistructured interviews study.

OBJECTIVE: Integrated palliative care for populations with cancer is now highly recommended. However, numerous physicians working in cancer care are still reluctant to refer patients to specialist palliative care teams. This study explores their perceptions of palliative care and factors influencing reasons to refer to specialist palliative care. METHODS: We used a qualitative methodology based on semistructured interviews with physicians working in cancer care, in two tertiary hospitals and one comprehensive cancer centre with access to a specialist palliative care team. Forty-six physicians were invited and 18 interviews were performed until data saturation. Participants were mainly men, licensed in cancer care, 37.9 years old on average and had 13 years of professional experience. The length of interviews was on average 34 min (SD=3). Analysis was performed accordingly with the thematic analysis. RESULTS: The data analysis found four themes: symptom management as a trigger, psychosocial support, mediation provided by interventions, and the association with terminal care or death. Palliative care integrated interventions were mainly perceived as holistic approaches that offered symptom management expertise and time. They were valued for helping in consolidating decision-making from a different or external perspective, or an 'outside look'. Several barriers were identified, often due to the confusion between terminal care and palliative care. This was further highlighted by the avoidance of the words 'palliative care', which were associated with death. CONCLUSIONS: National policies for promoting palliative care seemed to have failed in switching oncologists' perception of palliative care, which they still consider as terminal care.

Complementary medicine visits by palliative care patients: a cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: The paucity of empirical research examining complementary medicine (CM) use in palliative care in France compared with other countries results in a gap in scientific knowledge. This study aims to describe the frequency and the cause of palliative care patients consulting with a CM clinician along with the conventional physicians. METHODS: This study is an observational cross-sectional survey conducted in three palliative care centres in Lyon, France, between July 2017 and May 2018: two tertiary hospitals and one palliative care unit in a private hospital. Inpatients and outpatients visiting the palliative care clinics with a primary diagnosis of cancer were invited to participate in the study. Using a 19-item paper-based survey instrument, we collected data on the participants' personal characteristics, health service utilisation and attitudes towards CM. RESULTS: From the 138 participants meeting the inclusion criteria, 100 (72.4%) were included in the study. On average, they were 62.9 years old (SD 12.4) and the majority were women (60%). The primary cancer site was mostly colorectal (29.0%), breast (15.0%) and gynaecological (11.0%). The most commonly visited CM clinician was the aromatherapist (72.7%), recording more than six consultations (78.1%) for symptom management (21.9%). Visits to an osteopath were reported by 28.6% of patients, and 45.8% of osteopathy users reported visiting an osteopath more than six times for symptom management (62.5%). Participants visiting a naturopath (15.3%) reported less than four visits and indicated symptom management as the most common reason (76.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show a substantial proportion of palliative care patients visit CM clinicians and primarily seek symptom management from CM clinical care.

Haematologists and palliative care: a multicentric qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES: Early palliative care leads to meaningful improvements in physical and psychosocial symptoms, as well as quality of life, in patients with advanced cancer. Patients with haematological malignancies, despite a high level of distress, continue to have less access to palliative care services. The aim of this study was to identify haematologists' perceptions of palliative care, as well as barriers to patient referral. METHODS: We used a qualitative grounded theory methodology. Twenty-four medical haematologists involved in clinical practice from two French centres in Lyon-the Lyon Sud University Hospital and the Léon Bérard Cancer Center-were included. The interview guide questions aimed to establish the clinical situations which triggered referral to palliative care and how participants perceived palliative care. RESULTS: Data saturation was reached after 14 interviews. The data analysis highlighted four themes. The aim of palliative care was clearly identified as alleviating severe suffering. Palliative care was identified as a separate specialty, and respondents expressed the need for collaboration. Early intervention was perceived as beneficial to avoid certain situations such as hospitalisation or emergency department visits at the end of life. The main barrier to palliative care referral remained the negative connotations associated with the term 'palliative', which was overwhelmingly associated with the end of life. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Our results suggest that the principal barrier to palliative care referral is the term 'palliative care'; haematologists would prefer 'supportive care' instead.

Art therapy and social function in palliative care patients: a mixed-method pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the influence of art therapy in reducing palliative symptoms, on social availability and on perceptions of aesthetics in hospitalised palliative care patients. The secondary objective was to evaluate its influence on bereaved families. METHODS: A mixed-method quasi-experimental before and after study comprising a follow-up postal survey of bereaved families. All patients who were keen to have art therapy sessions were eligible. We used patient-reported outcome scales 5 min before and after the session. The Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale has been used for pain, anxiety, well-being, fatigue and depression. Ten-point visual analogue scales were used for social availability, lack of desire and wishes, and perceptions of aesthetics based on the Beautiful-Well-Good model. A postal survey was sent to bereaved families. Correlations and data mining analyses were performed. RESULTS: In all, 24 patients were recruited for a total of 53 art therapy sessions analysed. Seven families completed the survey. Art therapy significantly reduced the assessed symptoms and overall symptom distress by 54.4% (p <0.001, d = 1.08). It also decreased the feeling of social unavailability (-59%, d = 0.67) and the lack of desire and wishes (-60%, d=0.86). The analysis of the family questionnaires indicates the positive effects regarding support, artwork and feelings during illness and grief. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest an overall improvement in the symptoms experienced and social functioning of palliative patients. Based on our findings, we propose a model for the potential mechanism of action of art therapy.

Quality of palliative care in identified palliative care beds.

BACKGROUND: Dedicated identified palliative care beds (IPCB) are unique to France. AIMS: This study aimed to assess their use and advantages in a medical oncology department of a private provincial hospital. FINDINGS: Of the last 100 patients who died in the medical oncology department, 57 had an IPCB. Those with an IPCB had a longer final hospital stay and significant advantages for them were access to pain evaluation by nurses and professional psychological support. Opioid use was higher, but not significantly so. There were no significant differences for the presence of close relatives, physiotherapy interventions, social workers or specific anti-cancer treatment in the last 15 days of life. CONCLUSION: This study shows some advantages for IPCB (treatment of pain, psychologist), which should be further explored. The length of the final hospital stay is controversial.

The use of complementary medicine in palliative care in France: an observational cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: Palliative care for cancer deals with physical, psychosocial, and spiritual issues faced by cancer patients, their families, communities, and healthcare providers. Research on complementary medicine (CM) use in France is limited despite high rates of reported CM use in other countries including by palliative patients. This study describes the use of CM by individuals receiving palliative care in Lyon, France. DESIGN: This study employed an observational cross-sectional survey design. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: The study was conducted in three palliative care centers in Lyon, France; two tertiary hospitals and one palliative care unit (3 sites). Inpatients and outpatients visiting the palliative care clinic with a primary diagnosis of cancer at each study site were invited to participate. RESULTS: Of 138 eligible patients, 100 completed the survey (RR 72.4%). The majority (90.7%) reported using CM in the previous 6 months or since their primary cancer diagnosis. Participant CM use was either the same (20.7%) or increased since their primary cancer diagnosis (33.7%). Average out-of-pocket expenses associated with CM use in the previous 6 months or since diagnosis were €157.40 (SD €330.15). The most common CM health professional visited was an aromatherapist (72.7%), a Coupeurs de feu (38.6%), osteopath (28.6%) and naturopath (15.3%). The most common CM used were aromatherapy oils (33.7%), homeopathy (30.0%), and vitamins (29.4%). CONCLUSION: This second survey on CM use in France; is the first conducted in palliative care centers. Results show people with cancer in Lyon, France, have a very high prevalence of CM utilization.

Nursing home hospital transfers in the terminally ill: night shift nurses matter!

BACKGROUND: French demographic projection expects an increasing number of older, dependent patients in the next few years. A large proportion of this population lives in nursing homes and their transfer to hospitals at the end of life is an ongoing issue. OBJECTIVE: This study explored the factors influencing the transfer of patients living in nursing homes to hospital at the end of life. DESIGN: We used a mixed-methods questionnaire developed by an expert group and assessing different characteristics of the nursing homes. PARTICIPANTS: All the nursing homes in the Rhône-Alpes area (n=680) were surveyed. RESULTS: We obtained 466 (68%) answers. We found that a palliative care programme was present in 336 (72%) nursing homes. The majority had a coordinating physician 428 (82%) and a mean number of 6 nurses for 83 beds, with 83 (18%) having a night shift nurse. There was a mean number of 19 deaths per nursing home during the recorded year. The main cause of death was dementia (41%), cancer-related death (13%). Death occurred mostly in the nursing home (14 74%). Night shift nurse attendance was significantly associated with the place of death: 27 deaths occurred in nursing homes with a night shift nurse versus 12 in those without one (p<0001). CONCLUSIONS: The location of the death of frail elderly patients is a major health issue that needs to be addressed. Our results suggests that the presence of a night shift nurse decreases the number of emergency transfers and deaths in the hospital.

Quality of end-of-life care in the emergency department.

OBJECTIVE: To assess appropriateness of end-of-life treatments provided to actively dying patients attending the emergency department of a primary care hospital. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of patients who died in the emergency department of a French primary care hospital between January 2014 and January 2017. The deceased were identified through the admissions register. Then, electronic medical records were screened for bio-demographic data, data relative to decisions to withhold or withdraw treatments, to diagnosis and to the care provided. Patients were clustered into two categories, actively dying or non-actively dying, using clinical opinion based on their medical records. Appropriateness of care was appraised following French guidelines. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-six deaths were recorded. Actively dying patients mostly suffered from vascular conditions (29.4%). When compared to the overall sample, they were more likely to have decisions to withhold or withdraw treatments (OR = 5.3 [1.56; 20.7], p-value = 0.003), to have strong opioids (OR = 5.32 [2.1; 13.9], p-value <0.0001), hypnotics (OR = 2.6 [0.95; 8.39], p-value = 0.05), and scopolamine (OR = 2.5 [1.1; 6.13], p-value = 0.03). Moreover, they were less likely to have unbeneficial treatments in terminal conditions, such as resuscitation care (OR = 0.06 [0.001; 0.52], p = 0.002) and antibiotics (OR = 0.42 [0.19; 0.92], p-value = 0.022). There were no differences in rate of hydration, venous access and use of tracheal aspirations. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, actively dying patients were appropriately supported. However, several issues regarding hydration management, drug administration routes, and broncho-pulmonary secretions management remain to be addressed.

Music in palliative care: a qualitative study with patients suffering from cancer.

BACKGROUND: The palliative care unit is an emotionally challenging place where patients and their families may feel at loss. Art can allow the expression of complex feelings. We aimed to examine how cancer patients hospitalized in the palliative care unit experienced a musical intervention. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews. The study took place in a palliative care unit from 18 January 2017 to 17 May 2017. Two artists performed in the palliative care unit once a week from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. The data from patient interviews were analysed based on an inductive approach to the verbatim accounts. RESULTS: The accounts we gathered led us to weigh the positive emotions engendered by this musical intervention against the potential difficulties encountered. The artists opened a parenthesis in the care process and brought joy and well-being to the palliative care unit. Patients also encountered difficulties during the intervention: reference to an altered general state, to loss of autonomy; a sense of the effort required, of fatigue; an adaptation period; reference to the end of life, to death; a difficulty in choosing songs. CONCLUSIONS: Although music appeared to benefit the patients, it sometimes reminded them of their altered state. The difficulties experienced by patients during the experience were also related to physical exhaustion. Additional studies are needed to determine the benefits of music for patients and their families in the palliative care unit.

Transcultural Validation of the French Version of the Modified Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale: The ESAS12-F.

Background: Cancer-related physical symptoms can decrease patients' overall quality of life and are often underdiagnosed. The Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) is widely used in palliative care for cancer patients to easily assess cancer patients' symptoms. It has been often modified, adding symptoms and explanations, and translated into many languages. The European Association of Palliative Care research team developed a database, which included the modified 12-item ESAS-r as the symptom assessment tool. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to achieve the translation and cross-cultural validation in French of the 12-item ESAS-r, the ESAS12-F. Design: A French version of the ESAS-r was developed using a standardized forward and backward translation method. Patients completed the ESAS12-F and provided feedback on the translation. Setting/Subjects: Forty-five patients with advanced cancer, followed by the palliative care team from the Lyon Sud University Hospital in France, were recruited. Results: Eighty-nine percent of patients considered the ESAS easy to understand. They highlighted some concerns more about the tool itself than the translation: the time line "now," the difficulty to quantify a symptom in a numerical evaluation. Some items (sleep and appetite) needed to be reread and for some others (digestive and psychological symptoms, and well-being) to be reordered in the questionnaire. Conclusion: The ESAS12-F is well accepted and easy to use for the cancer patients. The next step is to carry out a psychometric validation of the definitive version of the ESAS12-F.

Pilot testing of the first version of the European Association for Palliative Care basic dataset: A mixed methods study.

BACKGROUND: Inadequate description of palliative care cancer patients in research studies often leads to results having limited generalizability. To standardize the description of the sample, the European Association for Palliative Care basic data set was developed, with 31 core demographic and disease-related variables. AIM: To pilot test the data set to check acceptability, comprehensibility and feasibility. DESIGN: International, multi-centre pilot study at nine study sites in five European countries, using mixed methods. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Adult cancer patients and staff in palliative care units, hospices and home care. RESULTS: In all, 191 patients (544 screened) and 190 health care personnel were included. Median time to fill in the patient form was 5 min and the health care personnel form was 7 min. Ethnicity was the most challenging item for patients and requires decisions at a national level about whether or how to include. Health care personnel found weight loss, principal diagnosis, additional diagnoses and stage of non-cancer diseases most difficult to respond to. Registration of diagnoses will be changed from International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th version code to a predefined list, while weight loss and stage of non-cancer diseases will be removed. The pilot study has led to rewording of items, improvement in response options and shortening of the data set to 29 items. CONCLUSION: Pilot testing of the first version of the European Association for Palliative Care basic data set confirmed that patients and health care personnel understand the questions in a consistent manner and can answer within an acceptable timeframe. The pilot testing has led to improvement, and the new version is now subject to further testing.

Inequalities in Financial Distress, Symptoms, and Quality of Life Among Patients with Advanced Cancer in France and the U.S.

BACKGROUND: Financial distress (FD) is common among patients with advanced cancer. Our purpose was to compare the frequency and intensity of FD and its associations with symptom distress and quality of life (QOL) in these patients in France and the U.S. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this secondary analysis of two cross-sectional studies, we assessed data on 292 patients who received cancer care at a public hospital or a comprehensive cancer center in France (143 patients) or the U.S. (149 patients). Outpatients and hospitalized patients over 18 years of age with advanced lung or breast or colorectal or prostate cancer were included. Diagnosed cognitive disorder was considered a noninclusion criterion. Advanced cancer included relapse or metastasis or locally advanced cancer or at least a second-line chemotherapy regimen. Patients self-rated FD and assessed symptoms, psychosocial distress, and QOL on validated questionnaires. RESULTS: The average patient age was 59 years, and 144 (49%) were female. FD and high intensity were reported more frequently in U.S. patients than in French (respectively 129 [88%] vs. 74 [52%], p < .001; 100 [98%] vs. 48 [34%], p < .001,). QOL was rated higher by the U.S. patients than by the French (69 [SD, 18] vs. 63 [SD, 18], p = .003). French patients had more psychological symptoms such as anxiety (8 [SD, 4] vs. 6 [SD, 5], p = .008). Associations were found between FD and U.S. residence, FD and single status (0.907, p = .023), and FD and metastasis (1.538, p = .036). In contrast, negative associations were found between FD and older age (-0.052, p = .003) and FD and France residence (-3.376, p = .001). CONCLUSION: Regardless of health care system, FD is frequent in patients with advanced cancer. U.S. patients were more likely to have FD than French patients but reported better QOL. Further research should focus on factors contributing to FD and opportunities for remediation. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Suffering is experienced in any component of the lives of patients with a life-threatening illness. Financial distress (FD) is one of the least explored cancer-related symptoms, and there are limited studies describing its impact on this frail population. This study highlights the high frequency and severity of FD in patients with advanced cancer in the U.S. and France as well as its impact on their physical and emotional symptoms and their quality of life in these different health care systems. It is necessary for all health care providers to explore and evaluate the presence of FD in patients living with life-threatening illnesses.

Physician's perception leading to the transfer of a dying nursing home resident to an emergency department: A French qualitative study.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to find out physicians' perceptions about the transfer of dying nursing home residents to emergency departments. METHOD: This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews, and data were analyzed using qualitative methods. Participants were medical directors of nursing homes who were informed by e-mail and included when they agreed to take part in our study. RESULTS: We interviewed 12 medical directors until data saturation. The following themes emerged: (i) related to the resident - difficulties in identifying the end of life, refractory symptoms and lack of knowledge of the resident's wishes; (ii) related to the family - denial of the end of life/fear of death, lack of confidence in the nursing home and conflict among family members; (iii) related to the nursing staff - fear of death, lack of communication, lack of training, lack of staff (especially of nurses during the nightshift) and use of temporary employees; and (iv) related to the physicians - lack of anticipation of the end of life situation, difficulty in accessing some drugs, inadequate working hours in the nursing home, conflicting medical opinions of the GP and medical director, and lack of training on palliative care issues. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest many ways of reducing the transfer of dying residents to emergency departments through palliative care training, and communication about advance care planning. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 249-253.

Palliative care referral and associated outcomes among patients with cancer in the last 2†weeks of life.

BACKGROUND: Palliative care (PC) improves the quality of life of patients with advanced cancer. Our aim was to describe PC referral among patients with advanced cancer, and associated outcomes in an academic medical centre. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 536 inpatients with cancer who had died in 2010. Our retrospective study compared patients who accessed PC services with those who did not. Statistical analysis was conducted using non-parametric tests due to non-normal distribution. We also conducted a multivariate analysis using a logistic regression model including age, gender, type of cancer and metastatic status. RESULTS: Out of 536 patients, 239 (45%) had PC referral. The most common cancer types were respiratory (22%) and gastrointestinal (19%). Patients with breast cancer (OR 23.76; CI 6.12 to 92.18) and gynaecological cancer (OR 7.64; CI 2.61 to 22.35) had greater PC access than patients with respiratory or haematological cancer. Patients referred to PC had significantly less chemotherapy in the last 2 weeks of life than non-referred patients, with 22 patients (9%) vs 59 (19%; p<0.001). PC-referred patients had significantly fewer admissions to intensive care units in the last month of life than non-referred patients, with 14 (6%) vs 58 (20%; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There was a large variation in access to PC according to the type of cancer. There is a need to improve collaboration between the PC service and the respiratory, cancer and haematology specialists. Further research will be required to determine the modality and the impact of this collaboration.

[Opioid switch and change of route of administration in cancer patients treated by morphine]. / La morphine dans le cadre du changement d'opioïdes ou de voie d'administration, chez l'adulte avec une douleur due au cancer.

This paper reviewed the 2002 guidelines established by the National Federation of Cancer Centres. A group of experts nominated by the 3 French Societies involved in the treatment of cancer pain (AFSOS, SFAP, SFETD), established new guidelines ratios for morphine switching and/or changing of route of administration, in patients for whom either pain was not adequatly managed or adverse effects were unbearable. After a rapid reminder of the pharmacokinetics and metabolism properties of morphine, experts explained why the theory of opioid rotation (oxycodone, hydromorphone, fentanyl, methadone, tapentadol) using fixed equianalgesic ratios is not any more appropriate for a secure clinical practice. In the light of recent publications enhancing our knowledge on the efficacy of new drug switching ratios and for changing the route of administration of morphine, the group of experts recommended to use reconsidered switching ratios favoring security upon efficacy, to minimize overdosing and adverse effects. Consequently, after the new conversion ratio (using slow release opioids) was applied, a second titration should be done by means of normal release rescue formulations for breakthrough pain episodes. A smartphone App. OpioConvert® will be available for rapid and secure dose conversions.

How Do Experienced Professors Teach Palliative Medicine in European Universities? A Cross-Case Analysis of Eight Undergraduate Educational Programs.

BACKGROUND: In Europe in recent decades, university teaching of palliative medicine (PM) has evolved. In some countries it has been introduced as a compulsory subject in all medical schools, but in a majority of countries it remains an isolated subject at few universities. OBJECTIVE: To explore how PM has been introduced into the curricula and how it is currently being taught at different European universities. METHOD: Case study method using face-to-face semistructured interviews with experienced PM professors, comparing how they have developed PM undergraduate programs at their universities. RESULTS: An intentional sample of eight university professors from Spain, France, UK, Italy, Hungary, Sweden, Germany, and Poland was chosen. The introduction of PM in the universities depends on the existence of a favorable social and political context in relation to palliative care and the initiative of pioneers, trusted by students, to push this education forward. A PM curriculum frequently starts as an optional subject and becomes mandatory in a short period. In the reported universities, PM uses a wide variety of teaching methods, such as lectures, workshops, role-plays, and discussions. PM assessment included tests, discussions, reflections, portfolios, and research works. According to respondents' opinions, lack of recognition, funding, and accredited teachers, along with competition from other curricula, are the main barriers for palliative medicine teaching development at universities. CONCLUSION: Diverse paths and tools have been identified for PM teaching in Europe. The described cases may shed light on other medical schools to develop PM curricula.