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The objective of this study was to provide an expert review of delirium in the context of palliative care.

Based on a primary selection criterion, firstly, studies were included for review if the population studied either had a diagnosis of advanced cancer or was receiving palliative care; alternatively, in the absence of data derived from these populations, studies conducted in other populations were included. Secondly, from the studies meeting the primary selection criterion, we selected those that examined specific standard outcome measures. Thirdly, we selected studies and literature reviews that identified delirium research issues.

Delirium is a common occurrence in palliative care patients that causes heightened distress for patients, carers, and families alike, and makes interpretation of pain and other symptoms extremely difficult. There is a profound dearth of rigorous studies on …