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'Distress Thermometer' IDs Emotional, Physical Ills.(in cancer patients)
- Article from:
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Clinical Psychiatry News
- Article date:
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June 1, 2001
- Author:
- ZOLER, MITCHEL L.
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Copyright informationCOPYRIGHT 2001 International Medical News Group. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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FORT LAUDERDALE -- The "distress thermometer" is the benchmark for measuring the distress level of patients with cancer, Dr. Jimmie C. Holland said at the annual meeting of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.
The thermometer, also known as the Brief Screening Tool and Problem List, was designated the initial screening tool for assessing distress in cancer patients by a National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) panel that developed practice guidelines for distress management.
Patients are asked to quantify on a scale of 0-10 their global level of distress during the past week--including the day the screen is done. A score of 5 or higher for any item flags a ...