title: Effective Management of Breathlessness in Advanced Cancer Patients With a Program-Based, Multidisciplinary Approach: The "SOB Program" in Hong Kong.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Breathlessness is common in patients with advanced cancer. Using a multidisciplinary approach for relieving this challenging symptom was believed to be just a theory. The "SOB Program" was implemented in our institution in March 2013.
  
  
  METHODS
  An audit of medical records before and after implementation of the "SOB Program" was performed to identify any changes in practice after implementation, specifically in the use of nonpharmacologic interventions.
  
  
  METHODS
  The "SOB Program" is a multidisciplinary service in our department, using both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions for all patients with advanced cancer who have dyspnea.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a marked increase in the use of nonpharmacologic interventions after the "SOB Program" (26.86% preimplementation vs. 89.35% postimplementation). Patients joining the program also had satisfactory improvement in breathlessness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A multidisciplinary approach for breathlessness control is both feasible and practical. Similar services can be promoted in other palliative care centers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong. Electronic address: cwl088@ha.org.hk.
authors.forename: Wing-lok
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Cheuk-wah
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Connie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Pearl
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Kit-wah
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Wai-kwan Steven
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Siu
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Kwok-keung
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Yuen
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: To-wai
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Leung
mesh_terms: D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D002317:Cardiovascular Agents
keywords: Palliative medicine; breathlessness; cancer; dyspnea