From the Guidelines
The Integrated Palliative Outcome Scale (IPOS) has been used in research involving non-palliative care patients, including those with kidney failure, as evidenced by its adaptation and validation in various non-palliative settings. The IPOS has been adapted for use in patients with chronic conditions such as renal disease, as seen in a 2023 study published in Kidney International 1. This study highlights the use of the Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Scale—Renal (iPOS-renal) in managing the symptom burden associated with maintenance dialysis.
Key Points
- The IPOS has been used in research involving non-palliative care patients, including those with kidney failure.
- The scale's focus on symptom burden, emotional wellbeing, practical concerns, and communication needs makes it relevant for assessing quality of life and care needs in broader patient populations.
- The use of IPOS in non-palliative populations reflects growing recognition that palliative approaches to symptom management and holistic care can benefit patients across the disease trajectory, not just at end of life.
Relevant Tools
- Edmonton Symptom Assessment System: revised—Renal (ESAS-r:R)
- Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Scale—Renal (iPOS-renal)
- Dialysis Symptom Index
- Choices for Healthy Outcomes in Caring for ESRD (CHOICE) Health Experience Questionnaire
- Symptom Monitoring on Renal Replacement Therapy- Hemodialysis (SMaRRT-HD) When using IPOS in non-palliative populations, clinicians should consider that some items may need contextual interpretation, but the core domains generally remain relevant for understanding patient experience and care needs, as supported by the study published in Kidney International 1.
From the Research
Use of IPOS in Non-Palliative Care Patients
- There is no direct evidence in the provided studies that the Integrated Palliative Outcome Scale (IPOS) has been used in research involving non-palliative care patients 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- All the studies focus on the validation, reliability, and responsiveness of the IPOS in palliative care settings, with patients receiving palliative care 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The studies involve patients with cancer and non-cancer conditions, but they are all receiving palliative care, and there is no mention of using the IPOS in non-palliative care patients 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Limitations of the Studies
- The studies are limited to palliative care settings and do not explore the use of the IPOS in other healthcare settings 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The studies do not provide information on the use of the IPOS in patients who do not have palliative care needs 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Future Research Directions
- Further research is needed to explore the use of the IPOS in non-palliative care patients and to determine its validity and reliability in these settings 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Studies should investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of using the IPOS in a broader range of healthcare settings, including non-palliative care settings 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.