Utility of a Referral Letter to Improve Comprehensibility of Cancer Patients in Palliative Care: a Single-Center Study

Abstract

In spite of a referral letter as an important document for communicating between physicians, whether it could also be useful as a source of information for patients has not yet established. We included cancer patients in palliative care setting, all of whom completed a standardized questionnaire regarding their opinion concerning the utility of a referral letter as a source of information and its requirements to achieve a better understanding. Completed questionnaires were received from 50 cancer patients. Ninety-four percent of participants agreed that a referral letter could be of great importance for procuring medical information to them. There was only minor divergence among the participants respecting age, gender, or education. Particular requirements were diagnosis, treatment plan, prognosis, list of drugs, and contact data of involved physicians. Additional important topics were laboratory values, alternatives to current therapy, side effects and supportive therapy, and advices regarding lifestyle and naturopathy. The majority of patients also concluded to accept technical terms in doctor's letters if a glossary supported their comprehension. The majority of patients prefer a concise description of medical information in a referral letter. This form of a letter would boost patients' involvement and help them transfer medical information to other therapists or relatives.

Palliative Care Across the Life Span for Children With Heart Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

“…90 Few interventions to improve prognostic understanding have been tested for pediatric patients 91 ; however, evidence for their use in adult patients and surrogates suggests they may show promise if adapted for pediatric patients. 45,92,93 Communication guides and training may also be useful. 94,95 In addition, interventions that engage adolescent patients in decisions about their care are needed to help build their autonomy in decision-making.…”

Educação em saúde e final de vida no hospital

“…Igualmente, apenas dois estudos mencionaram o referencial teórico, dos quais um utilizou a fenomenologia (35) e um, o modelo de demência avançada (34). O período das publicações variou entre 1998 e 2019, sendo o ano de 2018 o que apresentou mais estudos (51)(52)(53)(54)(55)(56)(57)(58).…”

“…Estados Unidos da América 16 19,22,23,25,29,30,34,36,37,39,44,48,50,51,54,55 Reino Unido 9 18,21,26,31,33,35,38,49…”

“…Familiares propuseram a criação de reuniões da família com a equipe para as orientações em relação aos cuidados, uma linha telefônica para o contato direto e/ou um grupo de suporte (28). Instrumentos padronizados como forma de otimizar a comunicação dos profissionais para os familiares de pacientes de Unidade de Terapia Intensiva ( 44) e carta de encaminhamento foram utilizados para suprir as necessidades de informação dos pacientes (51).…”

Oral neglect as a marker of broader neglect: a cross-sectional investigation of orodental consultation letter of leukemic admitted patients in Iran

“…The aim of multidisciplinary consultation is to have two physicians with different specialties to cooperate in order to achieve the best solution to the problem and better management of patients in appropriate time. The request for medical consultation reflects the diagnosis and communication skills and also professionalism of a physician [ 11 ]. Good communication is necessary to a high-quality consultation process.…”