The Palliative Outcome Scale (POS) applied to clinical practice and research: an integrative review

Abstract

Objective: to identify and evaluate the evidence found in the international scientific literature on the application of the Palliative Outcome Scale (POS) in clinical practice and research in Palliative Care (PC).Method: integrative literature review, through the search of publications in journals indexed in PubMed / MEDLINE, LILACS, SciELO and CINAHL databases, between the years 1999 and 2014. Results: the final sample consisted of 11 articles. In the data analysis, the articles were classified into 2 units of analysis (studies using the POS as a resource in research and studies using the POS in clinical practice), in which the information was presented in the form of sub-themes related to publications of the selected studies, highlighting the synthesis of the results. Conclusion: POS emerged as an important tool for measuring outcomes to assess the quality of life of patients and families, of the quality of care provided and the PC service organization. The international scientific literature on the application of POS proved to be relevant to the advancement and consolidation of the field of knowledge related to PC.

Nursing and palliative care in primary health care / A enfermagem e os cuidados paliativos na atenção primária à saúde

“…Furthermore, it can be applied easily, featuring bio-psycho-social, spiritual and practical aspects. The POS presents the answers using the Likert scale of five points (except an open question), 39 but it needs to be slightly adapted since item 9 (time wasted while waiting for test results in the hospital) does not apply to the PHC scenario. 18 The instruments may be used together in order to obtain complete information.…”

Peripherally inserted central catheter, midline, and “short” midline in palliative care: Patient-reported outcome measures to assess impact on quality of care

“…20 POS is a multi-dimensional assessment scale for measuring outcomes of the quality of life and the quality of care provided. 22 It is a short scale consisting of 11 items and can be completed in less than 10 min. The answers are given in a Likert-type scale of 5 points.…”

“…20,21 A variation of 1 point in an individual item is linked to meaningful clinical change. [20][21][22] A 3-day recall period is recommended for inpatients. 23,24 It was translated, validated, and adapted in Italian.…”

Palliative Care – Hintergründe, Ansätze und Herausforderungen

“…Als wichtiges Prinzip gilt, dass die durchgeführten Interventionen regelmässig im Hinblick auf ihren Erfolg evaluiert und wenn nötig in Absprache mit den Betroffenen und deren Umfeld angepasst werden. Um die Wirksamkeit der Massnahmen in Bezug auf die Lebensqualität der betroffenen Patienten, Bewohnerinnen oder Klienten zu erfassen, hat sich die Palliative Outcome Scale (POS) als hilfreich erwiesen (Rugno/De Carlo 2016). Eine weitere Herausforderung zeigt sich bei der frühen Integration der Palliative Care in einen geplanten und/oder begonnenen Behandlungsprozess.…”