Ravi Bhargava

• MD
• University of Toronto

Introduction Advances in machine learning (ML) methodologies, combined with multidisciplinary collaborations across biological and physical sciences, has the potential to propel drug discovery and development. Open Science fosters this collaboration by releasing datasets and methods into the public space; however, further education and widespread a...

Background: Technological advancements have rapidly increased the use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) across various medical disciplines, leading to real-time information for clinicians at the bed side. However, literature reveals scant evidence of POCUS use in palliative care. The objective of this study was to examine the use of POCUS in a sp...

The chapter focuses on the assessment and management of the multidimensional components, while discussing the role of exercise and its impact on the physical, emotional, and psychosocial state of patients with cancer-related fatigue (CRF). It also reviews the mechanism and pathophysiology of CRF and describes the various assessment tools used in cl...

Palliative medicine is the medical care provided for people who have a life-limiting illness or condition. It encompasses both the physical symptoms a person may experience, but also the psychosocial, spiritual, emotional, and ethical issues that may arise. Now in its fourth edition, Palliative Medicine: A case-based manual walks clinicians through...

The lack of timely symptom reporting remains a barrier to effective symptom management and comfort for patients with cancer-related palliative care needs. Poor symptom management at home can lead to unwanted outcomes, such as emergency department visits and death in hospital. We developed and evaluated RELIEF, a remote symptom self-reporting app fo...

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in drastic changes in the global healthcare delivery landscape and has had practical repercussions for cancer survivors. This systematic rapid living review has been undertaken to synthesise the available knowledge regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in a timely manner. This initial rapid revi...

e24086 Background: Chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) following carboplatin containing chemotherapy regimen remains a considerable problem for cancer patients (pts) despite standard antiemetic prophylaxis. This study was undertaken to prospectively evaluate the incidence of CINV in pts undergoing carboplatin-based chemotherapy receivin...

Background: The use of Point-Of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) has increased rapidly across various medical disciplines due to technological advancements providing high quality POCUS units. POCUS can help clinicians at the bed side with information regarding patient management in real time. However, literature reveals scant evidence of POCUS use in Pallia...

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in drastic changes in the global healthcare delivery landscape and has had practical repercussions for cancer survivors. This systematic rapid living review has been undertaken to synthesize the available knowledge regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in a timely manner. This initial rapid rev...

Background: Patients often view "palliative care" (PC) as an approach that is synonymous with end-of-life and death, leading to shock and fear. Differing cultural and social norms and religious affiliations greatly determine perception of PC among diverse populations. Methods: This prospective observational study aimed to explore perceptions of...

Background Anorexia–cachexia syndrome (ACS) is a complex condition in advanced cancer patients, defined by disproportionate loss of skeletal muscle mass, and a lack or loss of appetite. This condition greatly lowers the quality of life and limits the treatment options. ACS is commonly associated with gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and vom...

Purpose Initial investigation of the impact of a Cancer Survivorship Clinic following its introduction in February 2017. Methods A systematic chart review of 176 patients enrolled in the Cancer Survivorship Clinic (CSC) who completed a minimum of one follow-up visit after the initial baseline visit. This was assessed using three screening tools: d...

https://www.esmo.org/guidelines/supportive-and-palliative-care/cancer-related-fatigue

What this study adds -Implementation of a simple checklist (ChELO) increased safety by preventing ethical and legal errors in a cohort of critically ill patients in a community ICU. -ChELO use resulted in a statistically significant reduction in consent pathway error prevalence and reduction in ICU length of stay which both remained durable after a...

Cancer rehabilitation is a process that assists the individual with a cancer diagnosis to obtain optimal physical, social, psychological, and vocational functioning within the limits created by the disease and its treatment. The functional autonomy of patients with cancer is compromised. The severity ranges from negligible to profound at the extrem...

Purpose: Patients are living extended life with advanced cancer making it chronic rather than imminently terminal. Literature on the experience of living with advanced cancer is emerging, indicating ongoing polysymptomatic burden, lack of information, burnout (patients and caregivers), and emotional concerns, all of which contribute to emotional d...

Much has changed in the United States and worldwide since Richard Nixon signed the U.S. National Cancer Act of 1971. [...]

Background Cancer Care Ontario promotes the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) for standardized systematic screening and assessment of symptoms across cancer centers in Ontario, Canada. Attitudes of medical oncologists (MOs), radiation oncologists (ROs), and general practitioners in oncology (GPOs) toward palliative care, and the ESAS were...

Purpose of review: In patients with advanced cancer, AIDS and end-stage organ diseases, symptoms of cachexia syndrome include decrease in appetite, weight loss, decreased performance status, and an increase in the systemic inflammatory response. Inflammatory cytokines and other immune interactions affect the lean tissue mass and body fat. It is ho...

Physicians embrace the concept of rehabilitation, but may think of it only as it relates to restoring function through exercise. We use a broader definition that applies to patients with advanced cancer. Cancer rehabilitation is a process that assists a person with a cancer diagnosis to obtain optimal physical, social, psychological and vocational...

This chapter presents a case study to illustrate the desired skills, attitudes, and knowledge required for cancer rehabilitation and fatigue. It addresses several questions such as: What is rehabilitation and how does it apply to the patient with cancer? What roles do the team members play in rehabilitation? What is cancer-related fatigue? What is...

This chapter presents a case study to illustrate the desired skills, attitudes, and knowledge required for cancer rehabilitation and fatigue. It addresses several questions such as: What is rehabilitation and how does it apply to the patient with cancer? What roles do the team members play in rehabilitation? What is cancer-related fatigue? What is...

Electrogastrography (EGG) is a technique used to record gastric myoelectrical activity (GMA). Our aim is to investigate the (1) prevalent patterns of GMA, (2) most frequent gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms reported on the Dyspepsia Symptom Severity Index (DSSI), and (3) EGG diagnosis and correlations with GI symptoms, ghrelin, and inflammatory marker...

OHR118 represents a new class of immunomodulatory and cytoprotective drugs in managing anorexia cachexia. Previously in patients with advanced HIV-AIDS, increases in appetite, strength, and alertness were noted. The objective was to determine the effect of OHR118 on appetite, early satiety, and nutritional intake in patients with advanced cancer. S...

Purpose: Gastroesophageal carcinoma has a 5-year survival rate of 20%. Esophagogastrectomy is a significant life-altering operation which interferes with a patient's ability to eat food as a normal social interaction. Dumping syndrome, delayed gastric emptying, and reflux are encountered after surgery. In addition, loss of appetite and body weight...

The purpose of the study was to determine how frequently each domain of activity was addressed and how frequently specific interventions were used by an occupational therapist (OT) with cancer patients who attended an 8-week Cancer Nutrition and Rehabilitation (CNR) program. Sixty-two patients with cancer were assessed. All received interventions b...

To describe the life altering issues that survivors of a head and neck cancer report post treatment and discuss multidimensional rehabilitation approaches. Published journal articles, literature reviews, research reports, book chapters. Survivors and their family caregivers encounter many changes during the first 3 months following treatment for he...

Malnutrition has been known to be associated with adverse outcomes in cancer patients. Patients who have been and/or are being treated for head and neck cancer have a compromised nutritional status. Nutritional deficits have a significant impact on mortality, morbidity, and quality of life. The wasting in cancer cachexia involves loss of muscle and...