Experience in the use of the palliative care outcome scale.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study is to assess the Palliative Care Outcome Scale (POS) as a potential audit tool within a specialist cancer centre. It also aims to answer the following questions: does the tool identify problem areas and demonstrate changes in quality of life over time? How well do staff and patient ratings correlate?


METHODS
The POS questionnaire was piloted at a specialist cancer centre. Thirty consecutive patients admitted to the palliative care wards and ward staff completed questionnaires on admission and twice weekly until discharge or death. A further questionnaire assessed staff attitudes.


RESULTS
There was a significant improvement in overall patient POS score at 1 week (days 5-9). Four "symptoms" or issues were scored as being important for our patients: pain, other symptoms, anxiety and patient's perception of family anxiety. These all significantly improved within the first week. At the initial assessment, staff underestimated patients' pain and overestimated problems relating to information giving and patients' ability to share their feelings. There was no significant difference between staff and patient scores after 1 week. The other six areas covered by the tool were less important; this may reflect the patient population seen at our centre. Use of the tool identified areas for staff training and effectively demonstrated improvement in patient care.


CONCLUSIONS
The POS is an outcome measure tool designed to assess physical, psychological, practical and existential aspects of quality of life. It may be useful in identifying problems in individual patients and directing care to address these needs.
Stevens
A-M
AM
Department of Palliative Medicine, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK. Anna-Marie.Stevens@rmh.nthames.nhs.uk
Gwilliam
B
B
A'hern
R
R
Broadley
K
K
Hardy
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002173:Cancer Care Facilities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom