Lupus patients – and those with related systemic autoimmune diseases – often experience persisting medical insecurity and negative healthcare-behaviours. These arise from traumatic diagnostic journeys and negative medical interactions, according to an in-depth study of patients’ experiences led by the University of Cambridge and Lupus UK. However, most patients also described secure and trusting relationships […]
Archives for September 2020
Effect of behaviour change techniques targeting clinicians to improve advance care planning in heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Summary by Dr Markus Schichtel, GP and post-doctoral researcher at the Palliative and End of Life Care Group at the Primary Care Unit, University of Cambridge. National and international guidelines advocate advance care planning (ACP) to facilitate better end-of-life care in heart failure. ACP is a voluntary process of discussion between patients, family clinicians and […]
GP Anticipatory prescribing of “Just in Case” medication for end of life care at home: an established practice that requires careful application
GPs looking after patients close to the end of life at home prefer to prescribe ‘anticipatory medications’, also known as ‘Just in Case’ drugs, weeks ahead of likely need whenever possible, according to a new study from the Cambridge Primary Care Unit. Anticipatory medications are intended to relieve symptoms that might emerge as patients approach […]
Current evidence on screening for renal cancer
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) rates are increasing worldwide, with high mortality and a high proportion of patients asymptomatic at diagnosis – so should we be screening for RCC? Patients with kidney cancer, their caregivers and clinicians alike, define the study of early detection and treatment of RCC as one of their top research priorities. The […]