Evidence map›Paper›PMID 32048055›Full record

ReviewCurrent treatment options in oncology2020

Evolving Definitions of Palliative Care: Upstream Migration or Confusion?

Suzanne Ryan, Joanne Wong, Ronald Chow, Camilla Zimmermann

Abstract readReview
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Current treatment options in oncology, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 35 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
35citing papers in PubMed, 3 pooled it
9.4field-weighted citation impact, top 2% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

35 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 83 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. 3D printing in palliative medicine: systematic review.BMJ supportive & palliative care · 2024
    Pooled it
  3. Pooled it
  4. Trial
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  18. How early should be "Early Integrated Palliative Care"?Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2023
    Article
  19. Article
  20. Telehealth palliative care interventions for patients with advanced cancer: a scoping review.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2023
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.

Suzanne RyanDepartment of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 610 University Ave., Toronto, Ontario, 16-712, Canada.
Joanne WongDepartment of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 610 University Ave., Toronto, Ontario, 16-712, Canada.
Ronald ChowDepartment of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 610 University Ave., Toronto, Ontario, 16-712, Canada.
Camilla ZimmermannDepartment of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 610 University Ave., Toronto, Ontario, 16-712, Canada. camilla.zimmermann@uhn.on.ca.
Princess Margaret Cancer Centre · CAUniversity of Toronto · CA

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

opinion statementPalliative care has evolved over the decades from its roots in the hospice movement to a much wider approach in which early intervention further "upstream" in the illness is encouraged to improve quality of life for patients and their families. This new definition has a strong evidence base in cancer trials and is supported by major national and international organizations. However, it has proven difficult to convince patients, the public, and even healthcare providers, of this upstream migration of palliative care, with many continuing to associate palliative care exclusively with end-of-life care. A multitude of definitions now exists, with varying emphasis on early intervention versus end-of-life care. In addition, a new nomenclature has emerged to conceal the end-of-life component of palliative care despite its continued importance, adding further to the confusion. Uncertainty within the specialty about the definition of palliative care will not reassure referring physicians and policymakers about its meaning nor convince them of its importance. Accuracy and clarity in the form of an established definition of palliative care are required to reduce misconceptions, facilitate clinical and academic development, and promote effective communication. This definition should acknowledge both expertise in end-of-life care and its relevance for improving outcomes early in the course of advanced cancer, and should be disseminated widely and practiced consistently.

Indexed as

Palliative CareClinical Decision-MakingClinical Trials as TopicDisease ManagementHealth PersonnelHumansNeoplasmsOutcome Assessment, Health CareQuality of LifeTerminal CareCancerDefinitionPalliative careQuality of lifeSupportive careTerminology

Identifiers

PMID32048055
OpenAlexW3005822748

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.