Palliative medicine network promotes research and development
Lundström, S.; Byström, E.; Gyllenhammar, E.; Martinsson, U.; Norrström, B.; Strang, P.
Lakartidningen 102(16): 1235-1238
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0023-7205 PMID: 15921097 Document Number: 586347
Research in palliative medicine is often rendered difficult because of limited patient materials. It's important to find new solutions to this problem. In 2002, the palliative research network in Sweden - PANIS - was established, and now comprises 43 palliative units with over 1,700 patients enrolled. So far, we have conducted five surveys and collected data from over 3,700 patients. The subjects have been: The occurrence of hiccups in terminal cancer patients, the occurrence of antitumoral treatments among cancer patients in palliative care, the use of opioids in palliative care, treatment with blood transfusion and erythropoietin in palliative care and the use of corticosteroids in palliative care. A web-based survey generator simplifies the handling of the results and enables the participating units to get instant feedback. We hope to be able to identify adequate and interesting research questions and facilitate the recruitment of patients into palliative studies.