Briefly describe a specific question, or set of related questions, about a health care test or treatment that this program should consider.

For patients with terminal cancer what is the most appropriate paliative treatemt regarding pain control and hydration? Does non traditional medicine as accupuncture herbal remedies faith healing etc help?

Does your question include a comparison of different health care approaches? (If no, your topic will still be considered.)

yes

If yes, explain the specific technologies, devices, drugs, or interventions you would like to see compared:

Pain control herbal remedies

accupuncture Faith healing

What patients or group(s) of patients does your question apply to? (Please include specific details such as age range, gender, coexisting diagnoses, and indications for therapy.)

all patients with terminal illness

Are there subgroups of patients that your question might apply to? (For example, an ethnic group, stage or severity of a disease.)

no

Describe the health-related benefits you are interested in. (For example, improvements in patient symptoms or problems from treatment or diagnosis.)

To improve quality of life

Describe any health-related risks, side effects, or harms that you are concerned about.

non

Appropriateness for EHC Program

Does your question include a health care drug, intervention, device, or technology available (or likely to be available) in the U.S.?

unsure

Which priority area(s) and population(s) does this topic apply to? (check all that apply)

EHC Priority Conditions (updated in 2008)

• Cardiovascular disease, including stroke and hypertension
• Diabetes mellitus
• Obesity
• Pulmonary disease/asthma

AHRQ Priority Populations

• Low income groups
• Women
• Elderly
• Individuals with special health care needs, including individuals with disabilities or who need chronic care or end-of-life health care

Federal Health Care Program

None

Importance

Describe why this topic is important.

Toimprove the quality of life

What specifically motivated you to ask this question? (For example, you are developing a clinical guideline, working with a policy with large uncertainty about the appropriate approach, costly intervention, new research you have read, items in the media you may have seen, a clinical practice dilemma you know of, etc.)

I work in a tertiary hospital and find it challenging to improve the quality of life with known analgesia for cancer patients

Does your question represent uncertainty for clinicians and/or policy-makers? (For example, variations in clinical care, controversy in what constitutes appropriate clinical care, or a policy decision.)

yes

If yes, please explain:

Available analgesia and narcotics become less effective as time passes

Potential Impact

How will an answer to your research question be used or help inform decisions for you or your group?

will help to set guidlines for treating terminal cancer patients

Describe the timeframe in which an answer to your question is needed.

as soon as possible

Describe any health disparities, inequities, or impact on vulnerable populations your question applies to.

patients with cancer and uncontrolable diabetes and hypertension

Nominator Information

Other Information About You: (optional)

Please choose a description that best describes your role or perspective: (you may select more than one category if appropriate)

will help to set guidlines for treating terminal cancer patients

Are you making a suggestion as an individual or on behalf of an organization?

Individual

Please tell us how you heard about the Effective Health Care Program