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Published online: 2024-10-08

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Complexity scale of palliative care needs in people with advanced cancer (PALCOM): preliminary Polish pilot testing

Marta Szeliga12, Tomasz Grądalski34

Abstract

Transferring patients to specialist palliative care entities requires systematic and reliable assessment of the presence of complex problems that go beyond basic care. In this study, the authors translated the complexity scale of palliative care needs in people with advanced cancer (PALCOM). In the preliminary pilot study, the feasibility of the practical use of this scale and its clinical usefulness were assessed. It is proposed to use the PALCOM scale in the assessment of advanced cancer patients both in the initial triage (before admission) and as part of periodic assessment before planning discharge from specialist palliative care.

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