RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Holistic assessment of supportive and palliative care needs: the evidence for routine systematic questioning
JF BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care
JO BMJ Support Palliat Care
FD British Medical Journal Publishing Group
SP 238
OP 246
DO 10.1136/bmjspcare-2012-000324
VO 4
IS 3
A1 Nisar Ahmed
A1 Sam H Ahmedzai
A1 Karen Collins
A1 Bill Noble
YR 2014
UL http://spcare.bmj.com/content/4/3/238.abstract
AB There is evidence to suggest that patients with cancer and other non-malignant chronic progressive illnesses can experience distressing symptoms, or concerns, which can often remain unrecognised. There is little disagreement that routine systematic questioning is useful in identifying supportive or palliative care needs that would otherwise not be identified. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of holistic needs assessment in the fields of supportive and palliative care and to present evidence of the value of routine systematic questioning. Systematic questioning allows needs to be identified and addressed. There is at present no standardised systematic, evidence-based holistic approach to screening patients for supportive and palliative care needs.