Wendy Muircroft - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Wendy Muircroft

Research paper thumbnail of Re: A New Zealand perspective on palliative care for Māori

Journal of palliative care, 2010

Research paper thumbnail of Screening of Cognitive Impairment in the Dialysis Population: A Scoping Review

Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders, 2017

Background: Cognitive impairment in end-stage kidney disease patients on dialysis is increasingly... more Background: Cognitive impairment in end-stage kidney disease patients on dialysis is increasingly common. This study aimed to review the practice of screening and to evaluate the evidence on cognitive impairment prevalence in this population. Methods: This scoping review of studies summarises the evidence on cognitive impairment in dialysis populations. The search included the Medline, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases for English-language articles published between 2000 and 2015. A total of 46 articles were reviewed. Results: The studies were of prospective observational design, with the majority conducted in the haemodialysis population. The reported prevalence of cognitive impairment ranged from 6.6 to 51%. Three screening tools were consistently used. Conclusion: While cognitive impairment is recognised in the dialysis population, there is paucity of screening data. The design of prospective comparisons ideally includes established screening instruments, particularly the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, to determine the optimal results for this population. Translation of established screening tools to increase the inclusion of people from other cultural and language groups is required. Regular screening can enhance the timing to introduce home-based care support and advance care planning discussions.

Research paper thumbnail of An Australasian perspective on the curative treatment of patients with pancreatic cancer, supportive care, and future directions for management

ecancermedicalscience

The management of patients with pancreatic cancer requires an individualised approach and the sup... more The management of patients with pancreatic cancer requires an individualised approach and the support of a multidisciplinary team to accurately stage patients and determine their suitability for curative treatment. Guidelines have been developed in Australasia to define the operability for patients who have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. This is supported by advances in pancreatic cancer genetics, which show potential for developing targeted therapies for pancreatic cancer. Both surgery and targeted therapies aim to extend the overall survival of patients. Patients who are cured of their cancer may live with permanent changes in gut anatomy and physiology leading to distressing symptoms that may not be addressed. Patients who cannot be cured of pancreatic cancer may have supportive care issues that are often complex, and a strategic approach to manage these needs for patients with pancreatic cancer is underdeveloped in Australasia. Supportive care services need to be in a position to adapt patient care as the evidence base develops.

Research paper thumbnail of A qualitative exploration of patient and carer perspectives on pancreatic exocrine insufficiency due to pancreatic cancer

BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, 2016

Research paper thumbnail of A New Zealand perspective on palliative care for Māori

Journal of Palliative Care, 2010

Research paper thumbnail of Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) for malabsorption in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer

BMJ supportive & palliative care, Jan 27, 2014

The diagnosis of metastatic pancreatic cancer (PC) carries a poor prognosis. PC is associated wit... more The diagnosis of metastatic pancreatic cancer (PC) carries a poor prognosis. PC is associated with weight loss and malabsorption in high rates secondary to pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. UK and USA guidelines exist recommending the empiric use of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) for quality of life in these patients. The aim of this study is to review the use of PERT in patients with metastatic PC referred to a specialist palliative care service. Retrospective observational study of patients referred to the service between January 2010 and July 2012 with a diagnosis of PC. Information about PERT use, tumour site and frequency of symptoms was collected. 129 patients were referred, with a higher number in the eighth decade. Only 21% of this study group were prescribed PERT. Over 70% of patients had symptoms that could be attributable to malabsorption, mainly abdominal pain. Other symptoms such as bloating, wind and steatorrhoea were also common. Guidelines recommending...

Research paper thumbnail of Re: A New Zealand perspective on palliative care for Māori

Journal of palliative care, 2010

Research paper thumbnail of Screening of Cognitive Impairment in the Dialysis Population: A Scoping Review

Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders, 2017

Background: Cognitive impairment in end-stage kidney disease patients on dialysis is increasingly... more Background: Cognitive impairment in end-stage kidney disease patients on dialysis is increasingly common. This study aimed to review the practice of screening and to evaluate the evidence on cognitive impairment prevalence in this population. Methods: This scoping review of studies summarises the evidence on cognitive impairment in dialysis populations. The search included the Medline, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases for English-language articles published between 2000 and 2015. A total of 46 articles were reviewed. Results: The studies were of prospective observational design, with the majority conducted in the haemodialysis population. The reported prevalence of cognitive impairment ranged from 6.6 to 51%. Three screening tools were consistently used. Conclusion: While cognitive impairment is recognised in the dialysis population, there is paucity of screening data. The design of prospective comparisons ideally includes established screening instruments, particularly the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, to determine the optimal results for this population. Translation of established screening tools to increase the inclusion of people from other cultural and language groups is required. Regular screening can enhance the timing to introduce home-based care support and advance care planning discussions.

Research paper thumbnail of An Australasian perspective on the curative treatment of patients with pancreatic cancer, supportive care, and future directions for management

ecancermedicalscience

The management of patients with pancreatic cancer requires an individualised approach and the sup... more The management of patients with pancreatic cancer requires an individualised approach and the support of a multidisciplinary team to accurately stage patients and determine their suitability for curative treatment. Guidelines have been developed in Australasia to define the operability for patients who have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. This is supported by advances in pancreatic cancer genetics, which show potential for developing targeted therapies for pancreatic cancer. Both surgery and targeted therapies aim to extend the overall survival of patients. Patients who are cured of their cancer may live with permanent changes in gut anatomy and physiology leading to distressing symptoms that may not be addressed. Patients who cannot be cured of pancreatic cancer may have supportive care issues that are often complex, and a strategic approach to manage these needs for patients with pancreatic cancer is underdeveloped in Australasia. Supportive care services need to be in a position to adapt patient care as the evidence base develops.

Research paper thumbnail of A qualitative exploration of patient and carer perspectives on pancreatic exocrine insufficiency due to pancreatic cancer

BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, 2016

Research paper thumbnail of A New Zealand perspective on palliative care for Māori

Journal of Palliative Care, 2010

Research paper thumbnail of Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) for malabsorption in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer

BMJ supportive & palliative care, Jan 27, 2014

The diagnosis of metastatic pancreatic cancer (PC) carries a poor prognosis. PC is associated wit... more The diagnosis of metastatic pancreatic cancer (PC) carries a poor prognosis. PC is associated with weight loss and malabsorption in high rates secondary to pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. UK and USA guidelines exist recommending the empiric use of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) for quality of life in these patients. The aim of this study is to review the use of PERT in patients with metastatic PC referred to a specialist palliative care service. Retrospective observational study of patients referred to the service between January 2010 and July 2012 with a diagnosis of PC. Information about PERT use, tumour site and frequency of symptoms was collected. 129 patients were referred, with a higher number in the eighth decade. Only 21% of this study group were prescribed PERT. Over 70% of patients had symptoms that could be attributable to malabsorption, mainly abdominal pain. Other symptoms such as bloating, wind and steatorrhoea were also common. Guidelines recommending...