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Lykke C, Jurlander B, Ekholm O, Sjøgren P, Juhl GI, Kurita GP, Larsen S, Tønder N, Høyer LV, Eidemak I, Zwisler AD. Identifying Palliative Care Needs in Patients With Heart Failure Using Patient Reported Outcomes. J Pain Symptom Manage 2024:S0885-3924(24)00998-9. [PMID: 39270879 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2024.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2024] [Revised: 09/01/2024] [Accepted: 09/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT Heart failure (HF) is considered a multifaceted and life-threatening syndrome characterized by high symptom-burden and significant mortality. OBJECTIVES To describe the symptom-burden in patients with HF and identify their palliative care needs. In this respect, symptom burden related to sex, age and classification of HF using New York Heart Association Functional Classification (NYHA) were analyzed. METHODS A cross-sectional questionnaire survey included adult HF patients according to NYHA II, III, and IV. Palliative care needs were assessed using validated patient reported outcomes measures; SF-36v1, HeartQoL, EORTC- QLQ-C15-PAL, MFI-20 and HADS. Patients were recruited from the Department of Cardiology, North Zealand Hospital, Denmark. RESULTS In total, 314 patients (79%) completed the questionnaire (233 men). Mean age = 74 years (range 35-94 years). In all, 42% had NYHA III or IV and 53% self-rated their health to be fair or poor. In all, 19% NYHA II and 67% NYHA III/IV patients had ≥4 severe palliative symptoms according to EORTC-QLQ-C15-PAL. In addition, NYHA III/IV had a mean of 8.9 symptoms and a mean of 5.4 severe symptoms. Women, older patients, and those with NYHA III/IV had worse outcomes regarding health-related quality of life, functional capacity, and symptom burden. CONCLUSIONS Patients with HF have a high prevalence of symptoms and, thus, potential palliative care needs. Predominantly, women, older patients, and those with higher severity of disease have the highest symptom burden. PROMs can help cardiologists address the palliative care needs and systematic assessment may be a prerequisite to integrate symptom-modifying and palliative care interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Lykke
- Department of Oncology and Palliative Care (C.L, G.I.J, S.L, L.V.H), North Zealand Hospital, Hillerød, Denmark; Section of Palliative Medicine (C.L, P.S, G.P.K, I.E, A-D.Z), Department of Oncology, Rigshospitalet Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Birgit Jurlander
- Department of Cardiology (B.J, S.L, N.T), North Zealand Hospital, Hillerød, Denmark
| | - Ola Ekholm
- National Institute of Public Health (O.E), University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Per Sjøgren
- Section of Palliative Medicine (C.L, P.S, G.P.K, I.E, A-D.Z), Department of Oncology, Rigshospitalet Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Gitte Irene Juhl
- Department of Oncology and Palliative Care (C.L, G.I.J, S.L, L.V.H), North Zealand Hospital, Hillerød, Denmark
| | - Geana Paula Kurita
- Section of Palliative Medicine (C.L, P.S, G.P.K, I.E, A-D.Z), Department of Oncology, Rigshospitalet Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Neuroanaesthesiology (G.P.K), Multidisciplinary Pain Centre, Pain and Respiratory Support, Rigshospitalet Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine (G.P.K, A-D.Z), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sille Larsen
- Department of Oncology and Palliative Care (C.L, G.I.J, S.L, L.V.H), North Zealand Hospital, Hillerød, Denmark; Department of Cardiology (B.J, S.L, N.T), North Zealand Hospital, Hillerød, Denmark
| | - Niels Tønder
- Department of Cardiology (B.J, S.L, N.T), North Zealand Hospital, Hillerød, Denmark
| | - Lene Vibe Høyer
- Department of Oncology and Palliative Care (C.L, G.I.J, S.L, L.V.H), North Zealand Hospital, Hillerød, Denmark
| | - Inge Eidemak
- Section of Palliative Medicine (C.L, P.S, G.P.K, I.E, A-D.Z), Department of Oncology, Rigshospitalet Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ann-Dorthe Zwisler
- Department of Clinical Medicine (G.P.K, A-D.Z), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Cardiology (A-D.Z), Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
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Pohontsch NJ, Weber J, Stiel S, Schade F, Nauck F, Timm J, Scherer M, Marx G. Experiences of patients with advanced chronic diseases and their associates with a structured palliative care nurse visit followed by an interprofessional case conference in primary care - a deductive-inductive content analysis based on qualitative interviews (KOPAL-Study). BMC PRIMARY CARE 2024; 25:323. [PMID: 39232658 PMCID: PMC11373434 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-024-02572-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic, non-malignant diseases (CNMD) like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congestive heart failure (CHF) and dementia in advanced stages are very burdensome for patients. Timely palliative care with strong collaboration between general practitioners (GPs) and specialist palliative home care (SPHC) teams can reduce symptom burden, hospitalization rates, hospitalization costs and overall healthcare costs. The KOPAL-study on strengthening interprofessional collaboration for patients with palliative care needs tested the effect of an intervention comprising of a SPHC nurse assessment and an interprofessional case conference. This qualitative evaluative study explores patients', proxies' and their associates' motivation to participate in the KOPAL-study and views on the (benefits of the) intervention. METHODS We interviewed 13 male and 10 female patients as well as 14 proxies of patients with dementia and six associates of study participants using a semi-structured interview guide. All interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed with deductive-inductive qualitative content analysis. RESULTS Motivation for participation was driven by curiosity, the aim to please the GP or to support research, respectively to help other patients. Few interviewees pointed out to have expected positive effects for themselves. The nurse visit was evaluated very positively. Positive changes concerning health care or quality of life were reported sparsely. Most study participants did not prepare for the SPHC nurse assessment. They had no expectations concerning potential benefits of such an assessment, the interdisciplinary case conference and an early integration of palliative care. The majority of interviewees reported that they did not talk about the nurse visit and the interprofessional case conference with their GPs. CONCLUSION Our results lead to the conclusion that SPHC nurses can serve as an advocate for the patient and thereby support the patients' autonomy. GPs should actively discuss the results of the interdisciplinary case conference with patients and collaboratively decide on further actions. Patient participation in the interdisciplinary case conference could be another way to increase the effects of the intervention by empowering patients to not just passively receive the intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION DRKS00017795 German Clinical Trials Register, 17Nov2021, version 05.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Janis Pohontsch
- Department of General Practice and Primary Care, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Jan Weber
- Institute for General Practice and Palliative Care, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Stephanie Stiel
- Institute for General Practice and Palliative Care, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Franziska Schade
- Institute for General Practice and Palliative Care, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Palliative Medicine, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Friedemann Nauck
- Department of Palliative Medicine, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Janina Timm
- Department of General Practice and Primary Care, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Martin Scherer
- Department of General Practice and Primary Care, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gabriella Marx
- Department of General Practice and Primary Care, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
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Li Y, Li J, Fu MR, Martín Payo R, Tian X, Sun Y, Sun L, Fang J. Effectiveness of palliative care interventions on patient-reported outcomes and all-cause mortality in community-dwelling adults with heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Nurs Stud 2024; 160:104887. [PMID: 39278195 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2024.104887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Revised: 08/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/24/2024] [Indexed: 09/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current evidence that supports palliative care interventions predominantly focuses on individuals with cancer or hospitalized patients. However, the effectiveness of palliative care on patient-reported outcomes and mortality in community-dwelling adults with heart failure has not been evaluated. OBJECTIVE We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of palliative care interventions on patient-reported outcomes and all-cause mortality in community-dwelling adults with heart failure. DESIGN A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. METHODS MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL databases were searched from inception to October 2023. Randomized controlled trials were considered if they compared palliative care interventions with usual care, attention control, or waiting-list control primarily in a community-dwelling heart failure patient population. The primary outcome was patient-reported generic health-related or heart failure-specific quality of life. Secondary outcomes were patient-reported symptom burden, psychological health (anxiety and depression), spiritual well-being, and all-cause mortality. Two independent reviewers screened the retrieved articles and extracted data from the included studies. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed to pool the data, followed by sensitivity analysis, subgroup analysis, and meta-regression. All analyses were performed using R version 4.2.2. RESULTS Eleven eligible studies were included in this review with a total of 1535 patients. Compared to usual care, palliative care interventions demonstrated statistically significant effects on improving generic health-related quality of life (SMD, 0.30 [95 % CI, 0.12 to 0.48]) and heart failure-specific quality of life (SMD, 0.17 [95 % CI, 0.03 to 0.31]). Palliative care interventions also reduced anxiety (SMD, -0.22 [95 % CI, -0.40 to -0.05]) and depression (SMD, -0.18 [95 % CI, -0.33 to -0.03]), and enhanced spiritual well-being (SMD, 0.43 [95 % CI, 0.05 to 0.81]), without adversely affecting all-cause mortality (RR, 1.00 [95 % CI, 0.76 to 1.33]). Yet, the interventions had no significant effects on symptom burden (SMD, -0.09 [95 % CI, -0.40 to 0.21]). The certainty of evidence across the outcomes ranged from very low to moderate based on the GRADE approach. CONCLUSIONS Palliative care interventions are beneficial for community-dwelling adults with heart failure in that the interventions improved patient-reported quality of life, psychological health, and spiritual well-being, and importantly, did not lead to higher mortality rates. Findings of this review support the implementation of palliative care for adults with heart failure in community settings. REGISTRATION CRD42023482495.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Li
- Department of Nursing, West China Second University Hospital/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China; Department of Neonatology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Jie Li
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; West China Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mei R Fu
- School of Nursing and Health Studies, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, United States.
| | | | - Xiaomeng Tian
- Department of Cardiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yidan Sun
- Department of Toxicology/Nephrology, West China Fourth Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lisha Sun
- Department of Cardiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jinbo Fang
- West China Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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Belur AD, Mehta A, Bansal M, Wieruszewski PM, Kataria R, Saad M, Clancy A, Levine DJ, Sodha NR, Burtt DM, Rachu GS, Abbott JD, Vallabhajosyula S. Palliative care in the cardiovascular intensive care unit: A systematic review of current literature. CARDIOVASCULAR REVASCULARIZATION MEDICINE 2024; 66:68-73. [PMID: 38531709 DOI: 10.1016/j.carrev.2024.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There has been an evolution in the disease severity and complexity of patients presenting to the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU). There are limited data evaluating the role of palliative care in contemporary CICU practice. METHODS PubMed Central, CINAHL, EMBASE, Medline, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were evaluated for studies on palliative care in adults (≥18 years) admitted with acute cardiovascular conditions - acute myocardial infarction, cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest, advanced heart failure, post-cardiac surgery, spontaneous coronary artery dissection, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, and pulmonary embolism - admitted to the CICU, coronary care unit or cardiovascular intensive care unit from 1/1/2000 to 8/8/2022. The primary outcome of interest was the utilization of palliative care services. Secondary outcomes of included studies were also addressed. Meta-analysis was not performed due to heterogeneity. RESULTS Of 5711 citations, 30 studies were included. All studies were published in the last seven years and 90 % originated in the United States. Twenty-seven studies (90 %) were retrospective analyses, with a majority from the National Inpatient Sample database. Heart failure was the most frequent diagnosis (47 %), and in-hospital mortality was reported in 67 % of studies. There was heterogeneity in the timing, frequency, and background of the care team that determined palliative care consultation. In two randomized trials, there appeared to be improvement in quality of life without an impact on mortality. CONCLUSIONS Despite the growing recognition of the role of palliative care, there are limited data on palliative care consultation in the CICU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agastya D Belur
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States of America
| | - Aryan Mehta
- Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, United States of America
| | - Mridul Bansal
- Department of Medicine, East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, NC, United States of America
| | - Patrick M Wieruszewski
- Departments of Pharmacy and Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States of America
| | - Rachna Kataria
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States of America; Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute, Providence, RI, United States of America
| | - Marwan Saad
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States of America; Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute, Providence, RI, United States of America
| | - Annaliese Clancy
- Department of Pharmacy, Lifespan Health System, Providence, RI, United States of America
| | - Daniel J Levine
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States of America; Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute, Providence, RI, United States of America
| | - Neel R Sodha
- Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute, Providence, RI, United States of America; Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States of America
| | - Douglas M Burtt
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States of America; Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute, Providence, RI, United States of America
| | - Gregory S Rachu
- Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States of America
| | - J Dawn Abbott
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States of America; Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute, Providence, RI, United States of America
| | - Saraschandra Vallabhajosyula
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States of America; Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute, Providence, RI, United States of America.
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5
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Kaufman BG, Woolson S, Stanwyck C, Burns M, Dennis P, Ma J, Feder S, Thorpe JM, Hastings SN, Bekelman DB, Van Houtven CH. Veterans' use of inpatient and outpatient palliative care: The national landscape. J Am Geriatr Soc 2024. [PMID: 39180221 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.19141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Palliative care improves the quality of life for people with life-limiting conditions, which are common among older adults. Despite the Veterans Health Administration (VA) outpatient palliative care expansion, most research has focused on inpatient palliative care. This study aimed to compare veteran characteristics and hospice use for palliative care users across care settings (inpatient vs. outpatient) and dose (number of palliative care encounters). METHODS This national cohort included veterans with any VA palliative care encounters from 2014 through 2017. We used VA and Medicare administrative data (2010-2017) to describe veteran demographics, socioeconomic status, life-limiting conditions, frailty, and palliative care utilization. Specialty palliative care encounters were identified using clinic stop codes (353, 351) and current procedural terminology codes (99241-99245). RESULTS Of 120,249 unique veterans with specialty palliative care over 4 years, 67.8% had palliative care only in the inpatient setting (n = 81,523) and 32.2% had at least one palliative care encounter in the outpatient setting (n = 38,726), with or without an inpatient palliative care encounter. Outpatient versus inpatient palliative care users were more likely to have cancer and less likely to have high frailty, but sociodemographic factors including rurality and housing instability were similar. Duration of hospice use was similar between inpatient (median = 37 days; IQR = 11, 112) and outpatient (median = 44 days; IQR = 14, 118) palliative care users, and shorter among those with only one palliative care encounter (median = 18 days; IQR = 5, 64). CONCLUSIONS This national evaluation provides novel insights into the care setting and dose of VA specialty palliative care for veterans. Among veterans with palliative care use, one-third received at least some palliative care in the outpatient care setting. Differences between veterans with inpatient and outpatient use motivate the need for further research to understand how care settings and number of palliative care encounters impact outcomes for veterans and older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brystana G Kaufman
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Sandra Woolson
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Catherine Stanwyck
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Madison Burns
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Paul Dennis
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jessica Ma
- Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Durham VA Health System, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Shelli Feder
- Yale University School of Nursing, Orange, Connecticut, USA
- West Haven Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Joshua M Thorpe
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - S Nicole Hastings
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Durham VA Health System, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - David B Bekelman
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Medicine, Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Courtney H Van Houtven
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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Yildirim D, Çiriș Yildiz C, Harman Özdoğan M. The Effects of Mindfulness-Based Breathing on Strain, Burden, and Burnout in Family Caregivers of Palliative Care Patients: Randomized Controlled Study. Holist Nurs Pract 2024:00004650-990000000-00036. [PMID: 39158927 DOI: 10.1097/hnp.0000000000000685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the effects of online mindfulness-based breathing therapy combined with music on the levels of perceived strain, caregiver burden and burnout in caregivers of palliative care patients. This was a prospective, single-blind, randomized-controlled study. A total of 100 caregivers were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 50) and the control group (n = 50). Participants in the intervention group agreed to 3 sessions of mindfulness-based breathing therapy per week. Participants in the control group agreed to sit in a comfortable position in a quiet environment for 30 minutes for 3 consecutive days. We found statistical differences in groups in strain (P < .001), burden (P = .015) and burnout (P = .039) when comparing intervention and control groups. Mindfulness-based breathing therapy combined with music is a non-pharmacological approach that may reduce perceived strain, caregiver burden and burnout in caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilek Yildirim
- Author Affiliations: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Istanbul Aydin University, Istanbul, Turkey (Drs Yildirim and Çiriș Yildiz); and Dialysis Programme, Sinop University, Sinop, Turkey (Lecturer Harman Özdoğan)
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Janke K, Salifu Y, Gavini S, Preston N, Gadoud A. A palliative care approach for adult non-cancer patients with life-limiting illnesses is cost-saving or cost-neutral: a systematic review of RCTs. BMC Palliat Care 2024; 23:200. [PMID: 39098890 PMCID: PMC11299357 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-024-01516-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients living with life-limiting illnesses other than cancer constitute the majority of patients in need of palliative care globally, yet most previous systematic reviews of the cost impact of palliative care have not exclusively focused on this population. Reviews that tangentially looked at non-cancer patients found inconclusive evidence. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are the gold standard for treatment efficacy, while total health care costs offer a comprehensive measure of resource use. In the sole review of RCTs for non-cancer patients, palliative care reduced hospitalisations and emergency department visits but its effect on total health care costs was not assessed. The aim of this study is to review RCTs to determine the difference in costs between a palliative care approach and usual care in adult non-cancer patients with a life-limiting illness. METHODS A systematic review using a narrative synthesis approach. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO prospectively (no. CRD42020191082). Eight databases were searched: Medline, CINAHL, EconLit, EMBASE, TRIP database, NHS Evidence, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science from inception to January 2023. Inclusion criteria were: English or German; randomised controlled trials (RCTs); adult non-cancer patients (> 18 years); palliative care provision; a comparator group of standard or usual care. Quality of studies was assessed using Drummond's checklist for assessing economic evaluations. RESULTS Seven RCTs were included and examined the following diseases: neurological (3), heart failure (2), AIDS (1) and mixed (1). The majority (6/7) were home-based interventions. All studies were either cost-saving (3/7) or cost-neutral (4/7); and four had improved outcomes for patients or carers and three no change in outcomes. CONCLUSIONS In a non-cancer population, this is the first systematic review of RCTs that has demonstrated a palliative care approach is cost-saving or at least cost-neutral. Cost savings are achieved without worsening outcomes for patients and carers. These findings lend support to calls to increase palliative care provision globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Janke
- Division of Health Research, Centre for Health Inequalities Research, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4AT, UK.
| | - Yakubu Salifu
- Division of Health Research, International Observatory on End-of-life Care, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4AT, UK
| | - Siva Gavini
- Division of Health Research, International Observatory on End-of-life Care, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4AT, UK
- Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences, Alipri Road, Tirupati, 517501, India
| | - Nancy Preston
- Division of Health Research, International Observatory on End-of-life Care, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4AT, UK
| | - Amy Gadoud
- Division of Health Research, International Observatory on End-of-life Care, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4AT, UK
- Lancaster Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4AT, UK
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Johnson MJ, Rutterford L, Sunny A, Pask S, de Wolf-Linder S, Murtagh FEM, Ramsenthaler C. Benefits of specialist palliative care by identifying active ingredients of service composition, structure, and delivery model: A systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression. PLoS Med 2024; 21:e1004436. [PMID: 39093900 PMCID: PMC11329153 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 08/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Specialist palliative care (SPC) services address the needs of people with advanced illness. Meta-analyses to date have been challenged by heterogeneity in SPC service models and outcome measures and have failed to produce an overall effect. The best service models are unknown. We aimed to estimate the summary effect of SPC across settings on quality of life and emotional wellbeing and identify the optimum service delivery model. METHODS AND FINDINGS We conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression. Databases (Cochrane, MEDLINE, CINAHL, ICTRP, clinicaltrials.gov) were searched (January 1, 2000; December 28, 2023), supplemented with further hand searches (i.e., conference abstracts). Two researchers independently screened identified studies. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) testing SPC intervention versus usual care in adults with life-limiting disease and including patient or proxy reported outcomes as primary or secondary endpoints. The meta-analysis used, to our knowledge, novel methodology to convert outcomes into minimally clinically important difference (MID) units and the number needed to treat (NNT). Bias/quality was assessed via the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool and certainty of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) tool. Random-effects meta-analyses and meta-regressions were used to synthesize endpoints between 2 weeks and 12 months for effect on quality of life and emotional wellbeing expressed and combined in units of MID. From 42,787 records, 39 international RCTs (n = 38 from high- and middle-income countries) were included. For quality of life (33 trials) and emotional wellbeing (22 trials), statistically and clinically significant benefit was seen from 3 months' follow-up for quality of life, standardized mean difference (SMD in MID units) effect size of 0.40 at 13 to 36 weeks, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.21, 0.59], p < 0.001, I2 = 60%). For quality of life at 13 to 36 weeks, 13% of the SPC intervention group experienced an effect of at least 1 MID unit change (relative risk (RR) = 1.13, 95% CI [1.06, 1.20], p < 0.001, I2 = 0%). For emotional wellbeing, 16% experienced an effect of at least 1 MID unit change at 13 to 36 weeks (95% CI [1.08, 1.24], p < 0.001, I2 = 0%). For quality of life, the NNT improved from 69 to 15; for emotional wellbeing from 46 to 28, from 2 weeks and 3 months, respectively. Higher effect sizes were associated with multidisciplinary and multicomponent interventions, across settings. Sensitivity analyses using robust MID estimates showed substantial (quality of life) and moderate (emotional wellbeing) benefits, and lower number-needed-to-treat, even with shorter follow-up. As the main limitation, MID effect sizes may be biased by relying on derivation in non-palliative care samples. CONCLUSIONS Using, to our knowledge, novel methods to combine different outcomes, we found clear evidence of moderate overall effect size for both quality of life and emotional wellbeing benefits from SPC, regardless of underlying condition, with multidisciplinary, multicomponent, and multi-setting models being most effective. Our data seriously challenge the current practice of referral to SPC close to death. Policy and service commissioning should drive needs-based referral at least 3 to 6 months before death as the optimal standard of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam J Johnson
- Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom
| | | | - Anisha Sunny
- School of Psychology and Social Work, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom
| | - Sophie Pask
- Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom
| | - Susanne de Wolf-Linder
- Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom
- School of Health Professions, Institute of Health Sciences, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Winterthur, Switzerland
| | - Fliss E M Murtagh
- Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom
| | - Christina Ramsenthaler
- Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom
- School of Health Professions, Institute of Health Sciences, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Winterthur, Switzerland
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9
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Izgu N, Metin ZG, Eroglu H, Semerci R, Pars H. Impact of spiritual interventions in individuals with cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Oncol Nurs 2024; 71:102646. [PMID: 38943773 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2024.102646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE This meta-analysis aimed to determine how spiritual interventions affect cancer patients' physical, emotional, and spiritual outcomes and quality of life. METHODS Between 2012 and May 2024, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched considering the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist. Twenty-six randomized controlled trials were included, and 16 were synthesized in the meta-analysis. Bias risk was evaluated using the Cochrane risk-of-bias methodology for randomized studies. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations tool was employed for evidence certainty. Heterogeneity was expressed through I2 and Q statistics. Hedge's g was calculated for effect sizes. Egger's and Kendall's Tau were used for publication bias. RESULTS Spiritual interventions yielded beneficial effects on fatigue (Hedges's g = 0.900, p < 0.001) and pain (Hedges's g = 0.670, p < 0.001) but not for overall symptom burden (Hedges's g = 0.208, p = 0.176). Significant effects were found for anxiety (Hedges's g = 0.301, p < 0.001), depression (Hedges's g = 0.175, p = 0.016), and psychological distress (Hedges's g = 0.178, p = 0.024), except for hopelessness (Hedges's g = 0.144, p = 0.091). Spiritual interventions enhanced faith (Hedges's g = 0.232, p = 0.035), the meaning of life (Hedges's g = 0.259, p = 0.002), spiritual well-being (Hedges's g = 0.268, p < 0.001), and quality of life (Hedges's g = 245, p < 0.001). Moderator analysis pointed out that cancer stage, total duration, delivery format, providers' qualification, content, and conceptual base of spiritual interventions significantly affect physical, emotional, and spiritual outcomes and quality of life. CONCLUSION This meta-analysis highlighted the benefits of spiritual interventions with varying effect sizes on patients' outcomes, as well as quality of life in cancer, and shed on how to incorporate these approaches into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nur Izgu
- Hacettepe University Faculty of Nursing, Internal Medicince Nursing Department, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Zehra Gok Metin
- Hacettepe University Faculty of Nursing, Internal Medicince Nursing Department, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Hacer Eroglu
- Healthcare Vocational School, Lokman Hekim University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Remziye Semerci
- Department of Pediatric Nursing, School of Nursing, Koç University, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Hatice Pars
- Epidemiology MSc Program, The Institute of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
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10
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Bourmorck D, Pétré B, de Saint-Hubert M, De Brauwer I. Is palliative care a utopia for older patients with organ failure, dementia or frailty? A qualitative study through the prism of emergency department admission. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:773. [PMID: 38956595 PMCID: PMC11218079 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-11242-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nearly three out of four older people will use the emergency department (ED) during their last year of life. However, most of them do not benefit from palliative care. Providing palliative care is a real challenge for ED clinicians who are trained in acute, life-saving medicine. Our aim is to understand the ED's role in providing palliative care for this population. METHODS We designed a qualitative study based on 1) interviews - conducted with older patients (≥ 75 years) with a palliative profile and their informal caregivers - and 2) focus groups - conducted with ED and primary care nurses and physicians. Palliative profiles were defined by the Supportive and Palliative Indicators tool (SPICT). Qualitative data was collected in French-speaking Belgium between July 2021 and July 2022. We used a constant inductive and comparative analysis. RESULTS Five older patients with a palliative profile, four informal caregivers, 55 primary and ED caregivers participated in this study. A priori, the participants did not perceive any role for the ED in palliative care. In fact, there is widespread discomfort with caring for older patients and providing palliative care. This is explained by multiple areas of tensions. Palliative care is an approach fraught with pitfalls, i.e.: knowledge and know-how gaps, their implementation depends on patients'(co)morbidity profile and professional values, experiences and type of practice. In ED, there are constant tensions between emergency and palliative care requirements, i.e.: performance, clockwork and needs for standardised procedures versus relational care, time and diversity of palliative care projects. However, even though the ED's role in palliative care is not recognised at first sight, we highlighted four roles assumed by ED caregivers: 1) Investigator, 2) Objectifier, 3) Palliative care provider, and 4) Decision-maker on the intensity of care. A common perception among participants was that ED caregivers can assist in the early identification of patients with a palliative profile. CONCLUSIONS Currently, there is widespread discomfort regarding ED caregivers caring for older patients and providing palliative care. Nonetheless, ED caregivers play four roles in palliative care for older patients. In the future, ED caregivers might also perform the role of early identifier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delphine Bourmorck
- Institute of Health and Society, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Benoit Pétré
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Medecine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Marie de Saint-Hubert
- Institute of Health and Society, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
- CHU-UCL Namur, Yvoir, Belgium
| | - Isabelle De Brauwer
- Institute of Health and Society, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
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11
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Jia Z, Kurahashi A, Sharma RK, Mahtani R, Zagorski BM, Sanders JJ, Yarnell C, Detsky M, Lindvall C, Teno JM, Bell CM, Quinn KL. A Comparison of Palliative Care Delivery between Ethnically Chinese and Non-Chinese Canadians in the Last Year of Life. J Gen Intern Med 2024:10.1007/s11606-024-08859-8. [PMID: 38926319 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-024-08859-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ethnically Chinese adults in Canada and the United States face multiple barriers in accessing equitable, culturally respectful care at the end-of-life. Palliative care (PC) is committed to supporting patients and families in achieving goal-concordant, high-quality serious illness care. Yet, current PC delivery may be culturally misaligned. Therefore, understanding ethnically Chinese patients' use of palliative care may uncover modifiable factors to sustained inequities at the end-of-life. OBJECTIVE To compare the use and delivery of PC in the last year of life between ethnically Chinese and non-Chinese adults. DESIGN Population-based cohort study. PARTICIPANTS All Ontario adults who died between January 1st, 2012, and October 31st, 2022, in Ontario, Canada. EXPOSURES Chinese ethnicity. MAIN MEASURES Elements of physician-delivered PC, including model of care (generalist; specialist; mixed), timing and location of initiation, and type of palliative care physician at initial consultation. KEY RESULTS The final study cohort included 527,700 non-Chinese (50.8% female, 77.9 ± 13.0 mean age, 13.0% rural residence) and 13,587 ethnically Chinese (50.8% female, 79.2 ± 13.6 mean age, 0.6% rural residence) adults. Chinese ethnicity was associated with higher likelihoods of using specialist (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.53, 95%CI 1.46-1.60) and mixed (aOR 1.32, 95%CI 1.26-1.38) over generalist models of PC, compared to non-Chinese patients. Chinese ethnicity was also associated with a higher likelihood of PC initiation in the last 30 days of life (aOR 1.07, 95%CI 1.03-1.11), in the hospital setting (aOR 1.24, 95%CI 1.18-1.30), and by specialist PC physicians (aOR 1.33, 95%CI 1.28-1.38). CONCLUSIONS Chinese ethnicity was associated with a higher likelihood of mixed and specialist models of PC delivery in the last year of life compared to adults who were non-Chinese. These observed differences may be due to later initiation of PC in hospital settings, and potential differences in unmeasured needs that suggest opportunities to initiate early, community-based PC to support ethnically Chinese patients with serious illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhimeng Jia
- Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Division of Palliative Care, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Program in Global Palliative Care, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Allison Kurahashi
- Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rashmi K Sharma
- Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ramona Mahtani
- Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Palliative Care, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Justin J Sanders
- Department of Family Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Ariadne Labs, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christopher Yarnell
- Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Critical Care Medicine and Research Institute, Scarborough Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Michael Detsky
- Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine, University Health Network and Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Charlotta Lindvall
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joan M Teno
- Department of Health Services, Policy & Practice, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Chaim M Bell
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto and Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kieran L Quinn
- Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto and Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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12
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Masters JL, Josh PW, Kirkpatrick AJ, Kovaleva MA, Sayles HR. Providing clarity: communicating the benefits of palliative care beyond end-of-life support. Palliat Care Soc Pract 2024; 18:26323524241263109. [PMID: 39045294 PMCID: PMC11265247 DOI: 10.1177/26323524241263109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Palliative care affords numerous benefits, including improvements in symptom management, mental health, and quality of life, financial savings, and decreased mortality. Yet palliative care is poorly understood and often erroneously viewed as end-of-life care and hospice. Barriers for better education of the public about palliative care and its benefits include shortage of healthcare providers specializing in palliative care and generalist clinicians' lack of knowledge and confidence to discuss this topic and time constraints in busy clinical settings. Objectives Explore and compare the knowledge, values, and practices of community-dwelling adults 19 years and older from Nebraska about serious illness and end-of-life healthcare options. Design Secondary analysis of cross-sectional data collected in 2022 of 635 adults. We examined the fifth wave (2022) of a multiyear survey focusing on exploring Nebraskans' understanding of and preferences related to end-of-life care planning. Methods Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to compare results between groups. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses examine associations of variables as to knowledge of hospice and palliative care. Results While 50% of respondents had heard a little or a lot about palliative care, 64% either did not know or were not sure of the difference between palliative care and hospice. Those who reported being in poor health were not more likely to know the difference between palliative care and hospice compared to those reporting being in fair, good, or excellent health. Conclusion This study offers insight into the knowledge and attitudes about palliative care among community-dwelling adults, 19 years and older living in Nebraska. More effort is needed to communicate what palliative care is, who can receive help from it, and why it is not only for people at end of life. Advance care planning discussions can be useful in offering clarity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie L. Masters
- Department of Gerontology, University of Nebraska Omaha, 312 Nebraska Hall, 901 North 17 Street, Lincoln, NE 68588-0562, USA
| | - Patrick W. Josh
- Department of Gerontology, University of Nebraska Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA
| | | | - Mariya A. Kovaleva
- University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Harlan R. Sayles
- University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health, Omaha, NE, USA
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13
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Wang C, Bi S, Lu Y, Li Y, Han B, Xu M, Meng G, Zhou Q. Availability and stability of palliative care for family members of terminally ill patients in an integrated model of health and social care. BMC Palliat Care 2024; 23:140. [PMID: 38840255 PMCID: PMC11151625 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-024-01475-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Palliative care and the integration of health and social care have gradually become the key direction of development to address the aging of the population and the growing burden of multimorbidity at the end of life in the elderly. AIMS To explore the benefits/effectiveness of the availability and stability of palliative care for family members of terminally ill patients in an integrated institution for health and social care. METHODS This prospective observational study was conducted at an integrated institution for health and social care. 230 patients with terminal illness who received palliative care and their family members were included. Questionnaires and scales were administered to the family members of patients during the palliative care process, including quality-of-life (SF-8), family burden (FBSD, CBI), anxiety (HAMA), and distress (DT). We used paired t-tests and correlation analyses to analyze the data pertaining to our research questions. RESULTS In the integrated institution for health and social care, palliative care can effectively improve quality of life, reduce the family's burden and relieve psychological impact for family members of terminally ill patients. Palliative care was an independent influencing factor on the quality of life, family burden, and psychosocial status. Independently of patient-related and family-related factors, the results are stable and widely applicable. CONCLUSION The findings underline the availability and stability of palliative care and the popularization of an integrated service model of health and social care for elder adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyan Wang
- Department of Geriatrics, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250033, China
| | - Shaojie Bi
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250033, China
| | - Yanxia Lu
- Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Yuli Li
- School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Bing Han
- Department of Geriatrics, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250033, China
| | - Min Xu
- Department of Geriatrics, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250033, China
| | - Guiyue Meng
- Department of Geriatrics, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250033, China
| | - Qingbo Zhou
- Department of Geriatrics, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250033, China.
- School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China.
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.
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14
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Sullivan DR, Jones KF, Wachterman MW, Griffin HL, Kinder D, Smith D, Thorpe J, Feder SL, Ersek M, Kutney-Lee A. Opportunities to Improve End-of-Life Care Quality among Patients with Short Terminal Admissions. J Pain Symptom Manage 2024:S0885-3924(24)00789-9. [PMID: 38810950 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2024.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT Little is known about Veterans who die during a short terminal admission, which renders them ineligible for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Bereaved Family Survey. OBJECTIVES We sought to describe this population and identify opportunities to improve end-of-life (EOL) care quality. METHODS Retrospective, cohort analysis of Veteran decedents who died in a VA inpatient setting between October 2018-September 2019. Veterans were dichotomized by short (<24 hours) and long (≥24 hours) terminal admissions; sociodemographics, clinical characteristics, VA and non-VA healthcare use, and EOL care quality indicators were compared. RESULTS Among 17,033 inpatient decedents, 723 (4%) had short terminal admissions. Patients with short compared to long terminal admissions were less likely to have a VA hospitalization (38% vs. 54%) in the last 90 days of life and were more likely to die in an intensive care (49% vs 21%) or acute care (27% vs 18%) unit. Patients with a short compared to long admission were about half as likely to receive hospice (33% vs 64%) or palliative care (33% vs 69%). Most patients with short admissions (76%) had a life-limiting condition (e.g., cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and those with cancer were more likely to receive palliative care compared to those with non-cancer conditions. CONCLUSION Veterans with short terminal admissions are less likely to receive hospice or palliative care compared to patients with long terminal admissions. Many patients with short terminal admissions, such as those with life-limiting conditions (especially cancer), receive aspects of high-quality EOL care, however, opportunities for improvement exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald R Sullivan
- Department of Medicine (D.R.S.), Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland Oregon, USA; Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (D.R.S.), Portland Veteran Affairs Healthcare System, Portland Oregon, USA.
| | - Katie F Jones
- New England Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (K.F.J.), Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Medicine (K.F.J.), Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Melissa W Wachterman
- Section of General Internal Medicine (M.W.), Veterans Affairs Boston Health Care System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Division of General Internal Medicine (M.W.), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston MA, USA; Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care (M.W.), Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hilary L Griffin
- Veteran Experience Center (H.G., D.K., D.G., M.E., A.K.L.), Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Daniel Kinder
- Veteran Experience Center (H.G., D.K., D.G., M.E., A.K.L.), Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Dawn Smith
- Veteran Experience Center (H.G., D.K., D.G., M.E., A.K.L.), Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Joshua Thorpe
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion (J.M.T.), Pittsburgh VA Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; University of North Carolina School of Pharmacy (J.M.T.), Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Shelli L Feder
- Yale University School of Nursing (S.L.F.), Orange, Connecticut, USA; West Haven Department of Veterans Affairs (S.L.F.), West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Mary Ersek
- Veteran Experience Center (H.G., D.K., D.G., M.E., A.K.L.), Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Leonard Davis Institute (M.E.), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ann Kutney-Lee
- Veteran Experience Center (H.G., D.K., D.G., M.E., A.K.L.), Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Center for Health Equity and Research Promotion (A.K.L.), Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; University of Pennsylvania (A.K.L.), School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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15
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Sergeant M, Ly O, Kandasamy S, Anand SS, de Souza RJ. Managing greenhouse gas emissions in the terminal year of life in an overwhelmed health system: a paradigm shift for people and our planet. Lancet Planet Health 2024; 8:e327-e333. [PMID: 38729672 DOI: 10.1016/s2542-5196(24)00048-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Health care contributes 4·4% of global net carbon emissions. Hospitals are resource-intensive settings, using a large amount of supplies in patient care and have high energy, ventilation, and heating needs. This Viewpoint investigates emissions related to health care in a patient's last year of life. End of life (EOL) is a period when health-care use and associated emissions production increases exponentially due primarily to hospital admissions, which are often at odds with patients' values and preferences. Potential solutions detailed within this Viewpoint are facilitating advanced care plans with patients to ensure their EOL wishes are clear, beginning palliative care interventions earlier when treating a life-limiting illness, deprescribing unnecessary medications because medications and their supply chains make up a significant portion of health-care emissions, and, enhancing access to low-intensity community care settings (eg, hospices) within the last year of life if home care is not available. Our analysis was done using Canadian data, but the findings can be applied to other high-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myles Sergeant
- Department of Family Medicine, Michael G DeGroote School of Medicine, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Olivia Ly
- Department of Family Medicine, Michael G DeGroote School of Medicine, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Sujane Kandasamy
- Department of Child and Youth Studies, Brock University, St Catherine's, ON, Canada
| | - Sonia S Anand
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
| | - Russell J de Souza
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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Kates J, Stricker CT, Rising KL, Gentsch AT, Solomon E, Powers V, Salcedo VJ, Worster B. Perspectives from patients with chronic lung disease on a telehealth-facilitated integrated palliative care model: a qualitative content analysis study. BMC Palliat Care 2024; 23:103. [PMID: 38637806 PMCID: PMC11027367 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-024-01433-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic lung disease affects nearly 37 million Americans and often results in significant quality of life impairment and healthcare burden. Despite guidelines calling for palliative care (PC) integration into pulmonary care as a vital part of chronic lung disease management, existing PC models have limited access and lack scalability. Use of telehealth to provide PC offers a potential solution to these barriers. This study explored perceptions of patients with chronic lung disease regarding a telehealth integrated palliative care (TIPC) model, with plans to use findings to inform development of an intervention protocol for future testing. METHODS For this qualitative study, we conducted semi-structured interviews between June 2021- December 2021 with patients with advanced chronic lung disease. Interviews explored experiences with chronic lung disease, understanding of PC, and perceived acceptability of the proposed model along with anticipated facilitators and barriers of the TIPC model. We analyzed findings with a content analysis approach. RESULTS We completed 20 interviews, with two that included both a patient and caregiver together due to patient preference. Perceptions were primarily related to three categories: burden of chronic lung disease, pre-conceived understanding of PC, and perspective on the proposed TIPC model. Analysis revealed a high level of disease burden related to chronic lung disease and its impact on day-to-day functioning. Although PC was not well understood, the TIPC model using a shared care planning approach via telehealth was seen by most as an acceptable addition to their chronic lung disease care. CONCLUSIONS These findings emphasize the need for a patient-centered, shared care planning approach in chronic lung disease. The TIPC model may be one option that may be acceptable to individuals with chronic lung disease. Future work includes using findings to refine our TIPC model and conducting pilot testing to assess acceptability and utility of the model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeannette Kates
- College of Nursing, Thomas Jefferson University, 901 Walnut Street, Suite 702, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA.
| | - Carrie Tompkins Stricker
- College of Nursing, Thomas Jefferson University, 901 Walnut Street, Suite 702, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA
- Canopy Cancer Collective, P.O. Box 3141, Saratoga, CA, 95070, USA
| | - Kristin L Rising
- Center for Connected Care, Thomas Jefferson University, 1025 Walnut Street, Suite 300, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, 132 South 10th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA
| | - Alexzandra T Gentsch
- Center for Connected Care, Thomas Jefferson University, 1025 Walnut Street, Suite 300, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA
| | - Ellen Solomon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Victoria Powers
- Center for Connected Care, Thomas Jefferson University, 1025 Walnut Street, Suite 300, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA
| | - Venise J Salcedo
- Center for Connected Care, Thomas Jefferson University, 1025 Walnut Street, Suite 300, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA
| | - Brooke Worster
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, 925 Chestnut Street, Suite 420A, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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17
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Reinke LF, Tartaglione EV, Ruedebusch S, Smith PH, Sullivan DR. Nurse-Led, Telephone-Based Primary Palliative Care Intervention for Patients With Lung Cancer: Domains of Quality Care. J Hosp Palliat Nurs 2024; 26:104-111. [PMID: 38096450 DOI: 10.1097/njh.0000000000001005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Palliative care is traditionally delivered by specialty-trained palliative care teams. Because of a national workforce shortage of palliative care specialists, there is an urgent need to explore alternative models of palliative care delivery to meet the needs of patients living with serious illness. As part of a multisite randomized controlled trial, 2 registered nurses without previous palliative care experience were trained to deliver a primary palliative care intervention to patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer. The intervention focused on assessing and managing symptoms, psychosocial needs, education, and initiating goals-of-care discussions. The primary outcome, improved symptom burden and quality of life, was not statistically significant. Despite this finding, nurses addressed 5 of the 8 National Consensus Project Guidelines domains of quality palliative care: structure and processes of care; physical, psychological, and social aspects of care; and ethical and legal aspects. Patients' engagement in goals-of-care discussions, a measure of high-quality palliative care, increased. Clinical recommendations offered by the nurses to the patients' clinicians were addressed and accepted on a timely basis. Most patients rated satisfaction with the intervention as "very or extremely" satisfied. These findings may inform future nurse-led palliative care interventions on the specific quality domains of palliative care.
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18
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Li Y, Hung V, Ho K, Kavalieratos D, Warda N, Zimmermann C, Quinn KL. The Validity of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures of Quality of Life in Palliative Care: A Systematic Review. J Palliat Med 2024; 27:545-562. [PMID: 37971747 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2023.0294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance: A recent systematic review and meta-analysis found that palliative care was not associated with improvement in quality of life (QOL) in terminal noncancer illness. Among potential reasons for a null effect, it is unclear if patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) measuring QOL were derived or validated among populations with advanced life-limiting illness (ALLI). Objective: To systematically review the derivation and validation of QOL PROMs from a recent meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) of palliative care interventions in people with terminal noncancer illness. Evidence Review: EMBASE, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO were searched from inception to January 8, 2023 for primary validation studies of QOL PROMs in populations with ALLI, defined as adults with a progressive terminal condition and an estimated median survival of less than or equal to one year. The primary outcome was the proportion of PROMs that were derived or validated in ≥1 ALLI population. Findings: Twenty-one unique studies of derivation (n = 13) and validation (n = 11, 3 studies evaluated both) provided data on 9657 participants (mean age 63 years, 50% female) across 15 unique QOL PROMs and subscales. Among studies of validation, 9 were in people with cancer (n = 2289, n = 5 PROMs), 1 in neurodegenerative disease (n = 23, n = 1 PROM), and 1 with mixed diseases (n = 248, n = 1 PROM). Across 15 QOL PROMs and subscales, 47% (n = 7) were derived or validated in an ALLI population. The majority of these seven PROMs were exclusively derived or validated among people with cancer (57%, n = 4). QOL PROMs such as Quality of Life at End of Life, EuroQoL-5 Dimension 5-level, and 36-item Short Form Survey demonstrated validity in more than one terminal noncancer illness. Conclusions: Most QOL PROMs that measured the effect of palliative care on QOL in RCTs were neither derived nor validated in an ALLI population. These findings raise questions about the inferences that palliative care does not improve QOL among people with terminal noncancer illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Li
- Division of Palliative Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vivian Hung
- Department of Medicine, Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kevin Ho
- Department of Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dio Kavalieratos
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Nahrain Warda
- Department of Medicine, Sinai Health System and University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Camilla Zimmermann
- Division of Palliative Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Supportive Care, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kieran L Quinn
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Sinai Health System and University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- ICES, Toronto and Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Boddaert MS, Fransen HP, de Nijs EJM, van Gerven D, Spierings LEA, Raijmakers NJH, van der Linden YM. Association between Inappropriate End-of-Life Cancer Care and Specialist Palliative Care: A Retrospective Observational Study in Two Acute Care Hospitals. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:721. [PMID: 38398112 PMCID: PMC10886868 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16040721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
A substantial number of patients with life-threatening illnesses like cancer receive inappropriate end-of-life care. Improving their quality of end-of-life care is a priority for patients and their families and for public health. To investigate the association between provision, timing, and initial setting of hospital-based specialist palliative care and potentially inappropriate end-of-life care for patients with cancer in two acute care hospitals in the Netherlands, we conducted a retrospective observational study using hospital administrative databases. All adults diagnosed with or treated for cancer in the year preceding their death in 2018 or 2019 were included. The main exposure was hospital-based specialist palliative care initiated >30 days before death. The outcome measures in the last 30 days of life were six quality indicators for inappropriate end-of-life care (≥2 ED-visits, ≥2 hospital admissions, >14 days hospitalization, ICU-admission, chemotherapy, hospital death). We identified 2603 deceased patients, of whom 14% (n = 359) received specialist palliative care >30 days before death (exposure group). Overall, 27% (n = 690) received potentially inappropriate end-of-life care: 19% in the exposure group, versus 28% in the non-exposure group (p < 0.001). The exposure group was 45% less likely to receive potentially inappropriate end-of-life care (AOR 0.55; 95% CI 0.41 to 0.73). Early (>90 days) and late (≤90 and >30 days) initiation of specialist palliative care, as well as outpatient and inpatient initiation, were all associated with less potentially inappropriate end-of-life care (AOR 0.49; 0.62; 0.32; 0.64, respectively). Thus, timely access to hospital-based specialist palliative care is associated with less potentially inappropriate end-of-life care for patients with cancer. The outpatient initiation of specialist palliative care seems to enhance this result.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon S. Boddaert
- Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation (IKNL), 3501 DB Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Center of Expertise in Palliative Care, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Association for Palliative Care (PZNL), 3501 DB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Heidi P. Fransen
- Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation (IKNL), 3501 DB Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Association for Palliative Care (PZNL), 3501 DB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ellen J. M. de Nijs
- Center of Expertise in Palliative Care, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Dagmar van Gerven
- Department of Medical Oncology, Alrijne Hospital, 2353 GA Leiderdorp, The Netherlands
| | | | - Natasja J. H. Raijmakers
- Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation (IKNL), 3501 DB Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Association for Palliative Care (PZNL), 3501 DB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Yvette M. van der Linden
- Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation (IKNL), 3501 DB Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Center of Expertise in Palliative Care, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
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20
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Swed S, Bohsas H, Alibrahim H, Albakri K, Rais MA, Almoshantaf MB, Hafez W, Abouainain Y, Sawaf B, Alshareef L, Othman ZAA, Elbialy I, Manad H, Faheem Y, John S, Alshareef J, Sheet L, Rakab A. Knowledge and Attitude of Healthcare Providers Regarding Palliative Care and Related Factors: An Online Cross-Sectional Study. Cureus 2024; 16:e54477. [PMID: 38510910 PMCID: PMC10951766 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.54477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Palliative care alleviates pain and enhances the quality of life of patients with life-threatening illnesses. Training programs are required to provide patients with proper care and advance their health because the expertise of healthcare personnel in palliative care is inadequate. AIM We aimed to assess healthcare professionals' knowledge of palliative care because palliative care programs are infrequently used in Syria. METHODS An online cross-sectional study was conducted between July 24, 2022, and August 28, 2022, to assess palliative care knowledge and applications among Syrian healthcare workers. The study questionnaire was designed in accordance with a previous study, and the inclusion criteria included Syrian healthcare workers, physicians, and nurses, as well as medical and nursing students. The first section of the questionnaire included sociodemographic information, while the second, third, and fourth sections assessed healthcare workers' experiences, knowledge, and attitudes toward palliative care, respectively. RESULTS Of the 602 participants, 66.2% of the sample study were females. The majority of the respondents (72.9%) were medical students, with 18.8% residents and 8.3% nurses or nursing students. The majority of the participants (84%) correctly answered the question about pain treatment goals, while only a small percentage (5.3%) correctly answered the question about whether long-term opioid use was addictive. There were no statistically significant differences in the overall knowledge levels across demographic areas, genders, or specialties. Only 14 participants were considered knowledgeable about palliative care. Regarding attitudes toward palliative care, the three responses that received the greatest degree of agreement were "Pain relievers should be given as needed to terminally ill patients" (89.7%) and "Patients have the right to determine their own degree of psychosocial intervention" (81%). Residents in urban and rural areas scored markedly different in their attitudes. Students in their fifth year were 8.06 times more likely to have a positive attitude when compared to those in their first year. CONCLUSIONS Our findings show that Syrian healthcare providers lack knowledge of palliative care. It is important to integrate palliative care into Syria's healthcare system to enhance the quality of life of patients who are approaching the end of their lives and to provide care for those who require it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarya Swed
- Medicine, University of Aleppo, Aleppo, SYR
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Wael Hafez
- Internal Medicine, NMC Royal Hospital, Abu Dhabi, ARE
- Internal Medicine, National Research Centre, Cairo, EGY
| | | | - Bisher Sawaf
- Internal Medicine, Syrian Private University, Faculty of Medicine, Damascus, SYR
| | | | | | | | - Hekmieh Manad
- Internal Medicine, Mediclinic Hospital, Abu Dhabi, ARE
| | - Youmna Faheem
- College of Medicine, Ras Al Khaimah Medical & Health Sciences University, Ras Al-Khaimah, ARE
- College of Medicine, NMC Royal Hospital, Abu Dhabi, ARE
- Pediatrics, California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences and Psychology, Fairfield, USA
| | - Steffi John
- College of Medicine, NMC Royal Hospital, Abu Dhabi, ARE
| | - Jalal Alshareef
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, NMC Royal Hospital, Abu Dhabi, ARE
| | - Lana Sheet
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Aleppo, Aleppo, SYR
| | - Amine Rakab
- Medical Education, Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar, Education City, QAT
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21
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Murakami N, Reich AJ, He K, Gelfand SL, Leiter RE, Sciacca K, Adler JT, Lu E, Ong SC, Concepcion BP, Singh N, Murad H, Anand P, Ramer SJ, Dadhania DM, Lentine KL, Lakin JR, Alhamad T. Kidney Transplant Clinicians' Perceptions of Palliative Care for Patients With Failing Allografts in the US: A Mixed Methods Study. Am J Kidney Dis 2024; 83:173-182.e1. [PMID: 37726050 PMCID: PMC11360225 DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2023.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE Kidney transplant patients with failing allografts have a physical and psychological symptom burden as well as high morbidity and mortality. Palliative care is underutilized in this vulnerable population. We described kidney transplant clinicians' perceptions of palliative care to delineate their perceived barriers to and facilitators of providing palliative care to this population. STUDY DESIGN National explanatory sequential mixed methods study including an online survey and semistructured interviews. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS Kidney transplant clinicians in the United States surveyed and interviewed from October 2021 to March 2022. ANALYTICAL APPROACH Descriptive summary of survey responses, thematic analysis of qualitative interviews, and mixed methods integration of data. RESULTS A total of 149 clinicians completed the survey, and 19 completed the subsequent interviews. Over 90% of respondents agreed that palliative care can be helpful for patients with a failing kidney allograft. However, 46% of respondents disagreed that all patients with failing allografts benefit from palliative care, and two-thirds thought that patients would not want serious illness conversations. More than 90% of clinicians expressed concern that transplant patients and caregivers would feel scared or anxious if offered palliative care. The interviews identified three main themes: (1) transplant clinicians' unique sense of personal and professional responsibility was a barrier to palliative care engagement, (2) clinicians' uncertainty regarding the timing of palliative care collaboration would lead to delayed referral, and (3) clinicians felt challenged by factors related to patients' cultural backgrounds and identities, such as language differences. Many comments reflected an unfamiliarity with the broad scope of palliative care beyond end-of-life care. LIMITATIONS Potential selection bias. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that multiple barriers related to patients, clinicians, health systems, and health policies may pose challenges to the delivery of palliative care for patients with failing kidney transplants. This study illustrates the urgent need for ongoing efforts to optimize palliative care delivery models dedicated to kidney transplant patients, their families, and the clinicians who serve them. PLAIN-LANGUAGE SUMMARY Kidney transplant patients experience physical and psychological suffering in the context of their illnesses that may be amenable to palliative care. However, palliative care is often underutilized in this population. In this mixed-methods study, we surveyed 149 clinicians across the United States, and 19 of them completed semistructured interviews. Our study results demonstrate that several patient, clinician, system, and policy factors need to be addressed to improve palliative care delivery to this vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoka Murakami
- Division of Renal Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Amanda J Reich
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Katherine He
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Samantha L Gelfand
- Division of Renal Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Richard E Leiter
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kate Sciacca
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Joel T Adler
- Department of Surgery, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Emily Lu
- Division of Nephrology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Song C Ong
- Division of Nephrology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Beatrice P Concepcion
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Neeraj Singh
- Willis Knighton Health System, Shreveport, Louisiana
| | - Haris Murad
- Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Prince Anand
- Medical University of South Carolina, Greenville, South Carolina
| | | | | | - Krista L Lentine
- Saint Louis University Transplant Center, SSM-Saint Louis University Hospital, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Joshua R Lakin
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Tarek Alhamad
- Division of Nephrology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri.
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22
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Courtright KR, Madden V, Bayes B, Chowdhury M, Whitman C, Small DS, Harhay MO, Parra S, Cooney-Zingman E, Ersek M, Escobar GJ, Hill SH, Halpern SD. Default Palliative Care Consultation for Seriously Ill Hospitalized Patients: A Pragmatic Cluster Randomized Trial. JAMA 2024; 331:224-232. [PMID: 38227032 PMCID: PMC10792472 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2023.25092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Importance Increasing inpatient palliative care delivery is prioritized, but large-scale, experimental evidence of its effectiveness is lacking. Objective To determine whether ordering palliative care consultation by default for seriously ill hospitalized patients without requiring greater palliative care staffing increased consultations and improved outcomes. Design, Setting, and Participants A pragmatic, stepped-wedge, cluster randomized trial was conducted among patients 65 years or older with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dementia, or kidney failure admitted from March 21, 2016, through November 14, 2018, to 11 US hospitals. Outcome data collection ended on January 31, 2019. Intervention Ordering palliative care consultation by default for eligible patients, while allowing clinicians to opt-out, was compared with usual care, in which clinicians could choose to order palliative care. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was hospital length of stay, with deaths coded as the longest length of stay, and secondary end points included palliative care consult rate, discharge to hospice, do-not-resuscitate orders, and in-hospital mortality. Results Of 34 239 patients enrolled, 24 065 had lengths of stay of at least 72 hours and were included in the primary analytic sample (10 313 in the default order group and 13 752 in the usual care group; 13 338 [55.4%] women; mean age, 77.9 years). A higher percentage of patients in the default order group received palliative care consultation than in the standard care group (43.9% vs 16.6%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 5.17 [95% CI, 4.59-5.81]) and received consultation earlier (mean [SD] of 3.4 [2.6] days after admission vs 4.6 [4.8] days; P < .001). Length of stay did not differ between the default order and usual care groups (percent difference in median length of stay, -0.53% [95% CI, -3.51% to 2.53%]). Patients in the default order group had higher rates of do-not-resuscitate orders at discharge (aOR, 1.40 [95% CI, 1.21-1.63]) and discharge to hospice (aOR, 1.30 [95% CI, 1.07-1.57]) than the usual care group, and similar in-hospital mortality (4.7% vs 4.2%; aOR, 0.86 [95% CI, 0.68-1.08]). Conclusions and Relevance Default palliative care consult orders did not reduce length of stay for older, hospitalized patients with advanced chronic illnesses, but did improve the rate and timing of consultation and some end-of-life care processes. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02505035.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine R. Courtright
- Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Palliative and Advanced Illness Research (PAIR) Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Vanessa Madden
- Palliative and Advanced Illness Research (PAIR) Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Brian Bayes
- Palliative and Advanced Illness Research (PAIR) Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Marzana Chowdhury
- Palliative and Advanced Illness Research (PAIR) Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Casey Whitman
- Palliative and Advanced Illness Research (PAIR) Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Dylan S. Small
- Department of Statistics, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Michael O. Harhay
- Palliative and Advanced Illness Research (PAIR) Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | | | - Elizabeth Cooney-Zingman
- Palliative and Advanced Illness Research (PAIR) Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Mary Ersek
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | | | | | - Scott D. Halpern
- Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Palliative and Advanced Illness Research (PAIR) Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
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23
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Kotwal AA, Hunt LJ, Smith AK. A Tale of 2 Palliative Care Trials: Developing Sustainable and Transferable Models. JAMA 2024; 331:196-198. [PMID: 38227043 PMCID: PMC11191581 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2023.26815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Ashwin A Kotwal
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco
- Geriatrics, Palliative, and Extended Care Service Line, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center
| | - Lauren J Hunt
- Department of Physiological Nursing, University of California San Francisco
- Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California San Francisco
| | - Alexander K Smith
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco
- Geriatrics, Palliative, and Extended Care Service Line, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center
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24
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Cox CE, Ashana DC, Riley IL, Olsen MK, Casarett D, Haines KL, O’Keefe YA, Al-Hegelan M, Harrison RW, Naglee C, Katz JN, Yang H, Pratt EH, Gu J, Dempsey K, Docherty SL, Johnson KS. Mobile Application-Based Communication Facilitation Platform for Family Members of Critically Ill Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e2349666. [PMID: 38175648 PMCID: PMC10767607 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.49666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Unmet and racially disparate palliative care needs are common in intensive care unit (ICU) settings. Objective To test the effect of a primary palliative care intervention vs usual care control both overall and by family member race. Design, Setting, and Participants This cluster randomized clinical trial was conducted at 6 adult medical and surgical ICUs in 2 academic and community hospitals in North Carolina between April 2019 and May 2022 with physician-level randomization and sequential clusters of 2 Black patient-family member dyads and 2 White patient-family member dyads enrolled under each physician. Eligible participants included consecutive patients receiving mechanical ventilation, their family members, and their attending ICU physicians. Data analysis was conducted from June 2022 to May 2023. Intervention A mobile application (ICUconnect) that displayed family-reported needs over time and provided ICU attending physicians with automated timeline-driven communication advice on how to address individual needs. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was change in the family-reported Needs at the End-of-Life Screening Tool (NEST; range 0-130, with higher scores reflecting greater need) score between study days 1 and 3. Secondary outcomes included family-reported quality of communication and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder at 3 months. Results A total of 111 (51% of those approached) family members (mean [SD] age, 51 [15] years; 96 women [86%]; 15 men [14%]; 47 Black family members [42%]; 64 White family members [58%]) and 111 patients (mean [SD] age, 55 [16] years; 66 male patients [59%]; 45 Black patients [41%]; 65 White patients [59%]; 1 American Indian or Alaska Native patient [1%]) were enrolled under 37 physicians randomized to intervention (19 physicians and 55 patient-family member dyads) or control (18 physicians and 56 patient-family member dyads). Compared with control, there was greater improvement in NEST scores among intervention recipients between baseline and both day 3 (estimated mean difference, -6.6 points; 95% CI, -11.9 to -1.3 points; P = .01) and day 7 (estimated mean difference, -5.4 points; 95% CI, -10.7 to 0.0 points; P = .05). There were no treatment group differences at 3 months in psychological distress symptoms. White family members experienced a greater reduction in NEST scores compared with Black family members at day 3 (estimated mean difference, -12.5 points; 95% CI, -18.9 to -6.1 points; P < .001 vs estimated mean difference, -0.3 points; 95% CI, -9.3 to 8.8 points; P = .96) and day 7 (estimated mean difference, -9.5 points; 95% CI, -16.1 to -3.0 points; P = .005 vs estimated mean difference, -1.4 points; 95% CI, -10.7 to 7.8; P = .76). Conclusions and Relevance In this study of ICU patients and family members, a primary palliative care intervention using a mobile application reduced unmet palliative care needs compared with usual care without an effect on psychological distress symptoms at 3 months; there was a greater intervention effect among White family members compared with Black family members. These findings suggest that a mobile application-based intervention is a promising primary palliative care intervention for ICU clinicians that directly addresses the limited supply of palliative care specialists. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03506438.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher E. Cox
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
- Program to Support People and Enhance Recovery (ProSPER), Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Deepshikha C. Ashana
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
- Program to Support People and Enhance Recovery (ProSPER), Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Isaretta L. Riley
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Maren K. Olsen
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
- Durham Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation, Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina
| | - David Casarett
- Department of Medicine, Section of Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Krista L. Haines
- Department of Surgery, Division of Trauma and Critical Care and Acute Care Surgery, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | | | - Mashael Al-Hegelan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Robert W. Harrison
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Colleen Naglee
- Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Jason N. Katz
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Hongqiu Yang
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Elias H. Pratt
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
- Program to Support People and Enhance Recovery (ProSPER), Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Jessie Gu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
- Program to Support People and Enhance Recovery (ProSPER), Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Katelyn Dempsey
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
- Program to Support People and Enhance Recovery (ProSPER), Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | | | - Kimberly S. Johnson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
- Geriatrics Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina
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Walshe C, Mateus C, Varey S, Dodd S, Cockshott Z, Filipe L, Brearley SG. 'Thank goodness you're here'. Exploring the impact on patients, family carers and staff of enhanced 7-day specialist palliative care services: A mixed methods study. Palliat Med 2023; 37:1484-1497. [PMID: 37731382 PMCID: PMC10657500 DOI: 10.1177/02692163231201486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Healthcare usage patterns change for people with life limiting illness as death approaches, with increasing use of out-of-hours services. How best to provide care out of hours is unclear. AIM To evaluate the effectiveness and effect of enhancements to 7-day specialist palliative care services, and to explore a range of perspectives on these enhanced services. DESIGN An exploratory longitudinal mixed-methods convergent design. This incorporated a quasi-experimental uncontrolled pre-post study using routine data, followed by semi-structured interviews with patients, family carers and health care professionals. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS Data were collected within specialist palliative care services across two UK localities between 2018 and 2020. Routine data from 5601 unique individuals were analysed, with post-intervention interview data from patients (n = 19), family carers (n = 23) and health care professionals (n = 33; n = 33 time 1, n = 20 time 2). RESULTS The mean age of people receiving care was 73 years, predominantly white (90%) and with cancer (42%). There were trends for those in the intervention (enhanced care) period to stay in hospital 0.16 days fewer, but be hospitalised 2.67 more times. Females stayed almost 3.5 more days in the hospital, but were admitted 2.48 fewer times. People with cancer had shorter hospitalisations (4 days fewer), and had two fewer admission episodes. Themes from the qualitative data included responsiveness (of the service); reassurance; relationships; reciprocity (between patients, family carers and staff) and retention (of service staff). CONCLUSIONS Enhanced seven-day services provide high quality integrated palliative care, with positive experiences for patients, carers and staff.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Walshe
- International Observatory on End of Life Care, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, England, UK
| | - Céu Mateus
- Health Economics at Lancaster, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, England, UK
| | - Sandra Varey
- International Observatory on End of Life Care, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, England, UK
| | - Steven Dodd
- International Observatory on End of Life Care, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, England, UK
| | - Zoe Cockshott
- International Observatory on End of Life Care, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, England, UK
| | - Luís Filipe
- Health Economics at Lancaster, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, England, UK
| | - Sarah G Brearley
- International Observatory on End of Life Care, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, England, UK
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Zheng H, Cheng Q, Xu X, Yan Y, Luo G, Gong Y, Chen Y. Development of care quality indicators for palliative care in China: A modified Delphi method study. Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs 2023; 10:100324. [PMID: 38106440 PMCID: PMC10724491 DOI: 10.1016/j.apjon.2023.100324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective While there are limited studies addressing palliative care quality in China, the availability of an effective set of care quality indicators is scarce. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive set of quality indicators for palliative care in China. Methods Conducting a systematic literature search across databases and guideline websites from inception to October 2020, combined with qualitative interviews, we established a preliminary pool of indicators. Subsequently, two rounds of Delphi expert consultation surveys were administered to 19 multidisciplinary experts (specializing in clinical nursing/medicine, nursing/medicine management, and health care administration, as well as those engaged in teaching and research) from 12 provinces in Mainland China (three each from North, East, and South China, and four from Central China) via email from March to June 2021. The analytic hierarchy process was employed to determine indicator weights. Results Both rounds of expert consultation yielded a 100% positive coefficient, with expert authority coefficient values of 0.91 and 0.93, respectively. Kendall coefficient of concordance values for the two rounds were 0.148 and 0.253 (P < 0.001), indicating consensus among experts. Consequently, 71 quality indicators deemed important in the Chinese palliative care setting were identified, comprising 22 structure indicators, 35 process indicators, and 14 outcome indicators. Conclusions This study established an evidence-based set of quality indicators, addressing previously unmet needs and providing a novel approach to assessing and monitoring palliative care quality. Furthermore, ongoing refinement and integration with the evolving social context are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongling Zheng
- Nursing Department, Hunan Cancer Hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Nursing Department, Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Qinqin Cheng
- Pain Management Department, Hunan Cancer Hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xianghua Xu
- Health Service Center, Hunan Cancer Hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yixia Yan
- Nursing Department, Hunan Cancer Hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ge Luo
- Nursing Department, Hunan Cancer Hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Youwen Gong
- Nursing Department, Hunan Cancer Hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yongyi Chen
- Hospital Office, Hunan Cancer Hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Valenti D, Gamberini L, Allegri D, Tartaglione M, Moggia F, Del Giudice D, Baroni R, Di Mirto CVF, Tamanti J, Rosa S, Paoletti S, Bruno L, Peterle C, Cuomo AMR, Bertini A, Giostra F, Mengoli F. Effects of 24/7 palliative care consultation availability on the use of emergency department and emergency medical services resources from non-oncological patients: a before-and-after observational cohort study. BMJ Support Palliat Care 2023:spcare-2023-004412. [PMID: 37973206 DOI: 10.1136/spcare-2023-004412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The non-oncological population is relatively under-represented among end-of-life (EOL) patients managed by palliative care (PC) services, and the effects of different PC delivery models are understudied in this population.This retrospective observational study on routinely collected data aimed at evaluating the effects of the extension from workday-only to 24/7 mixed hands-on and advisory home PC service on emergency department (ED) access and emergency medical services (EMS) interventions needed by non-oncological patients during their last 90 days of life, and their probability to die in hospital. METHODS A before-and-after design was adopted comparing preimplementation and postimplementation periods (2018-2019 and 2021-22).We used a difference-in-differences approach to estimate changes in ED access and EMS intervention rates in the postintervention period through binomial negative regression. The oncological population, always exposed to 24/7 PC, was used as a control. A robust Poisson regression model was adopted to investigate the differences regarding hospital mortality. The analyses were adjusted for age, sex and disease grouping by the system involved. Results were reported as incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and ORs. RESULTS A total of 2831 patients were enrolled in the final analysis.After the implementation of 24/7 home PC, both ED admissions (IRR=0.390, p<0.001) and EMS interventions (IRR=0.413, p<0.001) dropped, as well as the probability to die in hospital (OR=0.321, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The adoption of a 24/7 mixed hands-on and advisory model of home PC could have relevant effects in terms of ED access and EMS use by non-oncological EOL patients under PC. TRIAL REGISRATION NUMBER NCT05640076.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danila Valenti
- Palliative Care Network, AUSL di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Gamberini
- Department of Anesthesia, Intensive Care and Prehospital Emergency, Maggiore Hospital Carlo Alberto Pizzardi, Bologna, Italy
| | - Davide Allegri
- Department of Clinical Governance and Quality, AUSL di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Tartaglione
- Department of Anesthesia, Intensive Care and Prehospital Emergency, Maggiore Hospital Carlo Alberto Pizzardi, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Donatella Del Giudice
- EMS 118 Regional Programme, Maggiore Hospital Carlo Alberto Pizzardi, Bologna, Italy
| | - Raffaella Baroni
- Management Staff - Business Information Systems, AUSL di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Jacopo Tamanti
- Palliative Care Network, AUSL di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Silvia Rosa
- Palliative Care Network, AUSL di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Luigi Bruno
- Palliative Care Network, AUSL di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Chiara Peterle
- Palliative Care Network, AUSL di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Alessio Bertini
- Emergency Medicine, Emergency Department, Maggiore Hospital Carlo Alberto Pizzardi, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Giostra
- Emergency Medicine, Emergency Department, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Gainza-Miranda D, Sanz-Peces EM, Varela Cerdeira M, Prados Sanchez C, Alonso-Babarro A. Effectiveness of the integration of a palliative care team in the follow-up of patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: The home obstructive lung disease study. Heart Lung 2023; 62:186-192. [PMID: 37556860 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2023.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Access to palliative care for patients with end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is still very poor. OBJECTIVES Evaluate our palliative care program for patients with advanced COPD by assessing whether the referral criteria for advanced COPD patients were adequate in identifying patients in end-of-life care and determine the results of the palliative care team's intervention METHODS: This was a prospective observational study of patients admitted to a multidisciplinary unit for advanced COPD. Data on sociodemographic variables, survival, symptomatology, quality of life, ACP, and health resource utilization were analyzed. RESULTS Eighty-three patients were included in this study. By the end of the follow-up period, 69 (83%) patients had died, mainly due to respiratory failure (96%). The median duration of survival from the start of follow-up was 4.27 months (95% confidence interval, 1.97-16.07). Most patients (94%) had a dyspnea level of 4. Sixty (72%) patients required opioids for dyspnea control. There were no significant differences in the quality of life of the patients during follow-up. Thirty (43%) patients died at home, 26 (38%) in a palliative care unit, and 13 (19%) in an acute care hospital. ACP was performed for 50 (72%) patients. Forty (57%) patients required palliative sedation during follow-up. Dyspnea was the reason for sedation in 34 (85%) patients. Hospital admissions and emergency room visits decreased significantly (p = 0.01) during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Our integrated model allows for adequate selection of patients, facilitates symptom control and ACP, reduces resource utilization, and favors death at home.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Gainza-Miranda
- Equipo de Soporte Paliativo Domiciliario Dirección Asistencial Norte de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
| | - E M Sanz-Peces
- Equipo de Soporte Paliativo Domiciliario Dirección Asistencial Norte de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Varela Cerdeira
- Unidad de Cuidados Paliativos Hospital Universitario de la Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - C Prados Sanchez
- Servicio Neumología Hospital Universitario de la Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - A Alonso-Babarro
- Unidad de Cuidados Paliativos Hospital Universitario de la Paz, Madrid, Spain
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Gitau K, Huang A, Isenberg SR, Stall N, Ailon J, Bell CM, Quinn KL. Association of patient sex with use of palliative care in Ontario, Canada: a population-based study. CMAJ Open 2023; 11:E1025-E1032. [PMID: 37935486 PMCID: PMC10635704 DOI: 10.9778/cmajo.20220232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is unclear whether there are sex-based differences in use of palliative care near the end of life. The objective of this study was to measure the association between sex and palliative care use. METHODS We performed a population-based retrospective cohort study of all patients aged 18 years or older in the last year of life who died in Ontario, Canada, between 2010 and 2018. The primary exposure was patient biologic sex (male or female). The primary outcome was receipt of physician-delivered palliative care; secondary outcomes were approach to in-hospital palliative care and sex concordance of the patient and referring physician. We used multivariable modified Poisson regression to measure the association between patient sex and palliative care receipt, as well as patient-physician sex concordance. RESULTS There were 706 722 patients (354 657 females [50.2%], median age 80 yr [interquartile range 69-87 yr]) in the study cohort, 377 498 (53.4%) of whom received physician-delivered palliative care. After adjustment for age and selected comorbidities, female sex was associated with a 9% relative increase (adjusted relative risk [RR] 1.09, 95% CI 1.08-1.10) in receipt of physician-delivered palliative care. Female patients were 16% more likely than male patients (adjusted RR 1.14, 95% CI 1.14-1.18) to have had their first hospital admission in their final year of life categorized as having a likely palliative intent. Female patients were 18% more likely than male patients (RR 1.18, 95% CI 1.17-1.19) to have had a female referring physician, and male patients were 20% more likely than female patients (adjusted RR 1.20, CI 1.19-1.21) to have had a male referring physician. INTERPRETATION After adjustment for age and comorbidities, male patients were slightly less likely than female patients to have received physician-delivered palliative care, and female patients were more likely than male patients to have had their first hospital admission in their final year of life categorized as having a likely palliative care intent. These results may reflect a between-sex difference in overall end-of-life care preferences or sex differences in decision-making influenced by patient-specific factors; further studies exploring how these factors affect end-of-life decision-making are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Gitau
- Departments of Medicine (Gitau, Stall, Ailon, Bell, Quinn) and Family and Community Medicine (Isenberg), University of Toronto; ICES (Huang, Stall, Bell, Quinn); Department of Medicine (Stall, Bell, Quinn), Sinai Health System; Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care (Quinn), Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Medicine (Isenberg), University of Ottawa; Bruyère Research Institute (Isenberg, Ailon), Ottawa, Ont.; Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Anjie Huang
- Departments of Medicine (Gitau, Stall, Ailon, Bell, Quinn) and Family and Community Medicine (Isenberg), University of Toronto; ICES (Huang, Stall, Bell, Quinn); Department of Medicine (Stall, Bell, Quinn), Sinai Health System; Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care (Quinn), Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Medicine (Isenberg), University of Ottawa; Bruyère Research Institute (Isenberg, Ailon), Ottawa, Ont.; Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Sarina R Isenberg
- Departments of Medicine (Gitau, Stall, Ailon, Bell, Quinn) and Family and Community Medicine (Isenberg), University of Toronto; ICES (Huang, Stall, Bell, Quinn); Department of Medicine (Stall, Bell, Quinn), Sinai Health System; Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care (Quinn), Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Medicine (Isenberg), University of Ottawa; Bruyère Research Institute (Isenberg, Ailon), Ottawa, Ont.; Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Nathan Stall
- Departments of Medicine (Gitau, Stall, Ailon, Bell, Quinn) and Family and Community Medicine (Isenberg), University of Toronto; ICES (Huang, Stall, Bell, Quinn); Department of Medicine (Stall, Bell, Quinn), Sinai Health System; Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care (Quinn), Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Medicine (Isenberg), University of Ottawa; Bruyère Research Institute (Isenberg, Ailon), Ottawa, Ont.; Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Jonathan Ailon
- Departments of Medicine (Gitau, Stall, Ailon, Bell, Quinn) and Family and Community Medicine (Isenberg), University of Toronto; ICES (Huang, Stall, Bell, Quinn); Department of Medicine (Stall, Bell, Quinn), Sinai Health System; Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care (Quinn), Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Medicine (Isenberg), University of Ottawa; Bruyère Research Institute (Isenberg, Ailon), Ottawa, Ont.; Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Chaim M Bell
- Departments of Medicine (Gitau, Stall, Ailon, Bell, Quinn) and Family and Community Medicine (Isenberg), University of Toronto; ICES (Huang, Stall, Bell, Quinn); Department of Medicine (Stall, Bell, Quinn), Sinai Health System; Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care (Quinn), Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Medicine (Isenberg), University of Ottawa; Bruyère Research Institute (Isenberg, Ailon), Ottawa, Ont.; Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Kieran L Quinn
- Departments of Medicine (Gitau, Stall, Ailon, Bell, Quinn) and Family and Community Medicine (Isenberg), University of Toronto; ICES (Huang, Stall, Bell, Quinn); Department of Medicine (Stall, Bell, Quinn), Sinai Health System; Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care (Quinn), Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Medicine (Isenberg), University of Ottawa; Bruyère Research Institute (Isenberg, Ailon), Ottawa, Ont.; Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ont.
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Godfrey S, Peng Y, Lorusso N, Sulistio M, Mentz RJ, Pandey A, Warraich H. Palliative Care for Patients With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction. Circ Heart Fail 2023; 16:e010802. [PMID: 37869880 DOI: 10.1161/circheartfailure.123.010802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has become the leading form of heart failure worldwide, particularly among elderly patient populations. HFpEF is associated with significant morbidity and mortality that may benefit from incorporation of palliative care (PC). Patients with HFpEF have similarly high mortality rates to patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. PC trials for heart failure have shown improvement in quality of life, quality of death, and health care utilization, although most trials defined heart failure clinically without differentiating between HFpEF and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. As such, the timing and role of PC for HFpEF care remains uncertain, and PC referral rates for HFpEF are very low despite potential improvements in important patient-centered outcomes. Specific barriers to referral include limited data, prognostic uncertainty, provider misconceptions about PC, inadequate specialty PC workforce, complexities of treating multimorbidity, and limited home care options for patients with heart failure. While there are many barriers to integration of PC into HFpEF care, there are multiple potential benefits to patients with HFpEF throughout their disease course. As this population continues to grow, targeted efforts to study and implement PC interventions are needed to improve patient quality of life and death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Godfrey
- Division of Cardiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (S.G., M.S., A.P.)
| | | | - Nicholas Lorusso
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of North Texas at Dallas (N.L.)
| | - Melanie Sulistio
- Division of Cardiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (S.G., M.S., A.P.)
| | - Robert J Mentz
- Duke University Medical Center, Division of Cardiology, Durham, NC (R.J.M.)
| | - Ambarish Pandey
- Division of Cardiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (S.G., M.S., A.P.)
| | - Haider Warraich
- Division of Cardiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA (H.W.)
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Verma S, Hingwala J, Low JTS, Patel AA, Verma M, Bremner S, Haddadin Y, Shinall MC, Komenda P, Ufere NN. Palliative clinical trials in advanced chronic liver disease: Challenges and opportunities. J Hepatol 2023; 79:1236-1253. [PMID: 37419393 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Patients with advanced chronic liver disease have a complex symptom burden and many are not candidates for curative therapy. Despite this, provision of palliative interventions remains woefully inadequate, with an insufficient evidence base being a contributory factor. Designing and conducting palliative interventional trials in advanced chronic liver disease remains challenging for a multitude of reasons. In this manuscript we review past and ongoing palliative interventional trials. We identify barriers and facilitators and offer guidance on addressing these challenges. We hope that this will reduce the inequity in palliative care provision in advanced chronic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumita Verma
- Brighton and Sussex Medical School and University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, Brighton, UK.
| | - Jay Hingwala
- University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | | | - Arpan A Patel
- Division of Digestive Diseases, University of California, Los Angeles, USA; Department of Gastroenterology, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Manisha Verma
- Department of Medicine, Einstein Healthcare Network, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Stephen Bremner
- Brighton and Sussex Medical School and University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, Brighton, UK
| | - Yazan Haddadin
- Brighton and Sussex Medical School and University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, Brighton, UK
| | | | - Paul Komenda
- University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Bartolo M, Intiso D, Zucchella C. Neurorehabilitation in brain tumours: evidences and suggestions for spreading of knowledge and research implementation. Curr Opin Oncol 2023; 35:543-549. [PMID: 37820089 DOI: 10.1097/cco.0000000000000999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The last few decades have seen an increase in life expectancy in brain tumour patients; however, many patients report sensory-motor and cognitive disabilities due to the tumour itself, but also to the effect of anticancer treatments (surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy), supportive treatments, as well as individual patient factors. This review outlines the principles on which to base neurorehabilitation treatments, with the aim of stimulating an early rehabilitative management, in order to reduce disability and functional limitation and improve the quality of life of the persons affected by brain tumour. RECENT FINDINGS Although not definitive, evidences suggest that an early neurorehabilitative evaluation, performed with a multidisciplinary approach, may identify the different functional impairments that can affect people with brain tumour. Furthermore, identifying and classifying the person's level of functioning is useful for designing achievable recovery goals, through the implementation of tailored multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs. The involvement of different professional figures allows to treat all the components (physical, cognitive, psychological and participation) of the person, and to redesign one's life project, lastly improving the quality of life. SUMMARY Overall, the evidences suggest a critical need for the development of this clinical area by spreading the concept of rehabilitation among neuro-oncologists and producing high quality research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelangelo Bartolo
- Department of Rehabilitation, Neurorehabilitation Unit, HABILITA Zingonia, Ciserano (BG)
| | - Domenico Intiso
- Unit of Neurorehabilitation and Rehabilitation Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, FG
| | - Chiara Zucchella
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Verona University Hospital, Verona, Italy
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Lindell KO, Madisetti M, Fasolino T, Pittman M, Coyne P, Whelan TP, Mueller M, Ford DW. Pulmonologists' Perspectives on and Access to Palliative Care for Patients With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in South Carolina. Palliat Med Rep 2023; 4:292-299. [PMID: 37915951 PMCID: PMC10616941 DOI: 10.1089/pmr.2023.0038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a serious illness with an unpredictable disease course and survival rates comparable with some cancers. Patients with IPF suffer considerable symptom burden, declining quality of life, and high health care resource utilization. Patients and caregivers report many unmet needs, including a desire for more education regarding diagnosis and assistance with navigating disease trajectory. Compelling evidence suggests that palliative care (PC) provides an extra layer of support for patients with serious illness. Research Question The purpose of this survey was to gain perspectives regarding PC for patients with IPF by board-certified pulmonologists in South Carolina (SC). Study Design and Methods A 24-item survey was adapted (with permission) from the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation PC Survey instrument. Data were analyzed and results are presented. Results Pulmonologists (n = 32, 44%) completed the survey; 97% practice in urbanized settings. The majority agreed that PC and hospice do not provide the same service. There were varying views about comfort in discussing prognosis, disease trajectory, and addressing advance directives. Options for ambulatory and inpatient PC are limited and early PC referral does not occur. None reported initiating a PC referral at time of initial IPF diagnosis. Interpretation Pulmonologists in SC who participated in this survey are aware of the principles of PC in providing comprehensive care to patients with IPF and have limited options for PC referral. PC educational materials provided early in the diagnosis can help facilitate and guide end-of-life planning and discussions. Minimal resources exist for patients in underserved communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen Oare Lindell
- College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Mohan Madisetti
- College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Tracy Fasolino
- School of Nursing, College of Behavioral, Social, & Health Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | - MaryChris Pittman
- College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Patrick Coyne
- College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Timothy P.M. Whelan
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Martina Mueller
- College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Dee W. Ford
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
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Palumbo N, Tilly A, Namisango E, Ntizimira C, Thambo L, Chikasema M, Rodin G. Palliative care in Malawi: a scoping review. BMC Palliat Care 2023; 22:146. [PMID: 37789372 PMCID: PMC10548577 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-023-01264-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Universal access to palliative care remains a distant goal in many low resource settings, despite the growing evidence of its benefits. The unmet need for palliative care is evident in Africa, but great strides in palliative care development have occurred in several African countries. Located in sub-Saharan Africa, Malawi has been regarded as an exemplar of progress in this area that is achievable in a low resource region. This scoping review examined the literature on the development and state of palliative care in Malawi according to the pillars of health care policy, medicine availability, education, implementation, research activity, and vitality of professionals and advocates. METHODS A scoping review was conducted of the MEDLINE, Embase, Global Health, CINAHL, Web of Science and PsycINFO databases, as well as grey literature sources. Articles were included if they explored any aspect of palliative care in Malawi. RESULTS 114 articles were identified that met the inclusion criteria. This literature shows that Malawi has implemented diverse strategies across all pillars to develop palliative care. These strategies include creating a national stand-alone palliative care policy; integrating palliative care into the curricula of healthcare professionals and developing training for diverse service providers; establishing systems for the procurement and distribution of opioids; implementing diverse models of palliative care service delivery; and launching a national palliative care association. Malawi has also generated local evidence to inform palliative care, but several research gaps were identified. CONCLUSIONS Malawi has made considerable progress in palliative care development, although initiatives are needed to improve medicine availability, access in rural areas, and socioeconomic support for patients and their families living with advanced disease. Culturally sensitive research is needed regarding the quality of palliative care and the impact of therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Palumbo
- Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond St, London, ON, Canada
| | - Alyssa Tilly
- Division of General Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology and Palliative Care Program, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Eve Namisango
- African Palliative Care Association, Kampala, Uganda
- Cicely Saunders Institute, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - Lameck Thambo
- Palliative Care Association of Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | | | - Gary Rodin
- Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, Global Institute of Psychosocial, Palliative and End-of-Life Care (GIPPEC), University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Yeo SL, Ng RHL, Peh TY, Lwin MO, Chong PH, Neo PSH, Zhou JX, Lee A. Public sentiments and the influence of information-seeking preferences on knowledge, attitudes, death conversation, and receptiveness toward palliative care: results from a nationwide survey in Singapore. Palliat Care Soc Pract 2023; 17:26323524231196311. [PMID: 37719387 PMCID: PMC10504834 DOI: 10.1177/26323524231196311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Low awareness about palliative care among the global public and healthcare communities has been frequently cited as a persistent barrier to palliative care acceptance. Given that knowledge shapes attitudes and encourages receptiveness, it is critical to examine factors that influence the motivation to increase knowledge. Health information-seeking from individuals and media has been identified as a key factor, as the process of accessing and interpreting information to enhance knowledge has been shown to positively impact health behaviours. Objective Our study aimed to uncover public sentiments toward palliative care in Singapore. A conceptual framework was additionally developed to investigate the relationship between information-seeking preferences and knowledge, attitudes, receptiveness of palliative care, and comfort in death discussion. Design and Methods A nationwide survey was conducted in Singapore with 1226 respondents aged 21 years and above. The data were analysed through a series of hierarchical multiple regression to examine the hypothesised role of information-seeking sources as predictors. Results Our findings revealed that 53% of our participants were aware of palliative care and about 48% were receptive to receiving the care for themselves. It further showed that while information-seeking from individuals and media increases knowledge, attitudes and receptiveness to palliative care, the comfort level in death conversations was found to be positively associated only with individuals, especially healthcare professionals. Conclusion Our findings highlight the need for public health authorities to recognize people's deep-seated beliefs and superstitions surrounding the concept of mortality. As Asians view death as a taboo topic that is to be avoided at all costs, it is necessary to adopt multipronged communication programs to address those fears. It is only when the larger communicative environment is driven by the media to encourage public discourse, and concurrently supported by timely interventions to trigger crucial conversations on end-of-life issues between individuals, their loved ones, and the healthcare team, can we advance awareness and benefits of palliative care among the public in Singapore.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su Lin Yeo
- Associate Professor, Lee Kong Chian School of Business, Singapore Management University, 50 Stamford Road, 178899, Singapore
| | - Raymond Han Lip Ng
- Senior Consultant, Palliative and Supportive Care, Woodlands Health Singapore
| | - Tan-Ying Peh
- Senior Consultant, Division of Supportive & Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore & Clinical Director at Assisi Hospice, Singapore
| | - May O. Lwin
- Professor, Wee Kim Wee School of Communication & Information, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Singapore
| | - Poh-Heng Chong
- Medical Director, HCA Hospice Care & Vice Chair, Singapore Hospice Council, Singapore
| | - Patricia Soek Hui Neo
- Senior Consultant & Head, Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jamie Xuelian Zhou
- Consultant, Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Angel Lee
- Medical Director, St Andrew’s Community Hospital, Singapore
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Grądalski T, Kochan K. Quality of referrals to specialist palliative care and remote patient triage - a cross-sectional study. Support Care Cancer 2023; 31:551. [PMID: 37658942 PMCID: PMC10474992 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-023-08025-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Choosing the optimal moment for admission to palliative care remains a serious challenge, as it requires a systematic identification of persons with supportive care needs. Despite the screening tools available for referring physicians, revealing the essential information for preliminary admission triage is crucial for an undisturbed qualification process. The study was aimed at analysing the eligibility criteria for specialist palliative care disclosed within provided referrals, expanded when necessary by documentation and/or interview. METHODS Referral forms with the documentation of 300 patients consecutively referred to the non-profit in-patient ward and home-care team in Poland were analysed in light of prognosis, phase of the disease and supportive needs. RESULTS Half of the referrals had the sufficient information to make a justified preliminary qualification based solely on the delivered documentation. The majority lacked performance status or expected prognosis. Where some information was revealed, two-thirds were in a progressing phase of the disease, with a within-weeks life prognosis. In 53.7%, no particular reason for admission was given. Social problems were signalled as the only reason for the admission in 7.7%. Twenty-eight percent were labelled as "urgent"; however, 52.4% of them were triaged as "stable" or disqualified. Patients referred to a hospice ward received complete referral forms more often, containing all necessary information. CONCLUSIONS General physicians need practical tips to facilitate timely referrals and unburden the overloaded specialist palliative care. Dedicated referral forms extended by a checklist of typical patients' concerns should be disseminated for better use of these resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Grądalski
- Chair of Palliative Medicine, Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski Krakow University, Kraków, Poland.
- St. Lazarus Hospice, Fatimska 17, 31-831, Kraków, Poland.
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Grief CJ, Grossman D, Grossman Y, Gardner S, Berall A. A Novel Approach to Measurement-Based Care: Integrating Palliative Care Tools Into Geriatric Mental Health. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2023; 40:1013-1020. [PMID: 36592611 DOI: 10.1177/10499091221150224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Older adults cared for in a geriatric mental health program often have medical co-morbidities causing physical symptoms which may be under-recognized. We explore the utility of palliative care tools in this patient population to identify the burden of symptoms and impact on patient dignity. Methods: Participants were recruited from a geriatric mental health inpatient unit and outpatient day hospital. Mood and somatic symptoms were tracked with self-report rating scales, including the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI) used in psychiatry, as well as the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) and Patient Dignity Inventory (PDI) used in palliative care. Demographic characteristics were collected from a retrospective chart review. Exploratory longitudinal models were developed for the GDS and GAI outcomes to assess change over time after adjusting for ESAS and PDI item scores. Results: Data were obtained for 33 English speaking patients (inpatients N = 17, outpatients N = 16) with a mean age of 76.5 (SD = 6.1). At baseline, several ESAS symptom burdens were rated as moderate and the PDI often captured physically distressing symptoms. GDS scores declined over time but at a slower rate for those reporting higher levels of pain on the ESAS (P = .04). GAI scores declined over time but at a slower rate for those identifying physically distressing symptoms on the PDI (P = .04). Conclusions: This study demonstrates how using the ESAS and PDI in a mental health population can be helpful in tracking symptoms and how these symptoms are related to psychiatric outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy J Grief
- Baycrest Health Sciences, University of Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Daphna Grossman
- North York General Hospital, University of Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Yona Grossman
- Arts and Science Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Sandra Gardner
- Baycrest Health Sciences, University of Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Anna Berall
- Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Chan KY, Yap DYH, Chung HY, Chan TM, Gill HSH, Lau CS. Rheumatology and palliative care: needs and opportunities. BMJ Support Palliat Care 2023; 13:309-311. [PMID: 36804734 DOI: 10.1136/spcare-2023-004183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Palliative care (PC) has expanded to medical conditions beyond its conventional scope of terminal malignancy and end-stage organ failure. This editorial showed our opinion in care model for the integration of PC into rheumatology and the growing needs of both rheumatology and PC services in view of increasing comorbidities and novel therapies. We anticipate an escalating demand for PC in this special group of patients who have concomitant long-standing systemic rheumatic diseases and age-related comorbidities. In addition, patients with advanced malignancy who develop rheumatological problems and require PC is also an emerging area of service need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwok Ying Chan
- Palliative Medical Unit, Grantham Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Desmond Y H Yap
- Division of Nephrology, Department of medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Ho Yin Chung
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Tak Mao Chan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | | | - Chak Sing Lau
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Chow R, Mathews JJ, Cheng EY, Lo S, Wong J, Alam S, Hannon B, Rodin G, Nissim R, Hales S, Kavalieratos D, Quinn KL, Tomlinson G, Zimmermann C. Interventions to improve outcomes for caregivers of patients with advanced cancer: a meta-analysis. J Natl Cancer Inst 2023; 115:896-908. [PMID: 37279594 PMCID: PMC10407714 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djad075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer often have poor quality of life (QOL) and mental health. We examined the effectiveness of interventions offering support for caregivers of patients with advanced cancer on caregiver QOL and mental health outcomes. METHODS We searched Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases from inception through June 2021. Eligible studies reported on randomized controlled trials for adult caregivers of adult patients with advanced cancer. Meta-analysis was conducted for primary outcomes of QOL, physical well-being, mental well-being, anxiety, and depression, from baseline to follow-up of 1-3 months; secondary endpoints were these outcomes at 4-6 months and additional caregiver burden, self-efficacy, family functioning, and bereavement outcomes. Random effects models were used to generate summary standardized mean differences (SMD). RESULTS Of 12 193 references identified, 56 articles reporting on 49 trials involving 8554 caregivers were eligible for analysis; 16 (33%) targeted caregivers, 19 (39%) patient-caregiver dyads, and 14 (29%) patients and their families. At 1- to 3-month follow-up, interventions had a statistically significant effect on overall QOL (SMD = 0.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.10 to 0.39); I2 = 52.0%), mental well-being (SMD = 0.14, 95% CI = 0.02 to 0.25; I2 = 0.0%), anxiety (SMD = 0.27, 95% CI = 0.06 to 0.49; I2 = 74.0%), and depression (SMD = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.16 to 0.52; I2 = 64.4) compared with standard care. In narrative synthesis, interventions demonstrated improvements in caregiver self-efficacy and grief. CONCLUSIONS Interventions targeting caregivers, dyads, or patients and families led to improvements in caregiver QOL and mental health. These data support the routine provision of interventions to improve well-being in caregivers of patients with advanced cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Chow
- Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jean J Mathews
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine and Department of Oncology, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Emily YiQin Cheng
- Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Samantha Lo
- Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Joanne Wong
- Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sorayya Alam
- Palliative Medicine, Sobell House, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Breffni Hannon
- Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Gary Rodin
- Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Centre for Mental Health, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rinat Nissim
- Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Centre for Mental Health, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sarah Hales
- Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Centre for Mental Health, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Dio Kavalieratos
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kieran L Quinn
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, Sinai Health System, Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - George Tomlinson
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Camilla Zimmermann
- Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Suratako S, Matchim Y. Palliative care programmes for people with conditions other than cancer in Thailand: a literature review. Int J Palliat Nurs 2023; 29:374-384. [PMID: 37620144 DOI: 10.12968/ijpn.2023.29.8.374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thailand has few studies on palliative care programmes for people with conditions other than cancer. OBJECTIVE The objective of this review was to investigate and discuss existing studies of palliative care programmes for non-cancer patients in Thailand. METHODS A literature review was conducted using CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct and Google Scholar to find research conducted from 2000 to 2020. The search found 29 articles, eight of which met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS The eight articles included in this review were focused on four end-stage renal disease (ESRD) programmes, two congestive heart failure (CHF) programmes, one chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) programme and one stroke programme. CONCLUSIONS There have been few studies of existing palliative care programmes for non-cancer patients in Thailand. These programmes were developed for persons with ESRD, CHF, COPD and stroke, whereas none were available for people with dementia. More palliative care programmes are needed for non-cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yaowarat Matchim
- Associate Professor, Faculty of Nursing, Thammasat University, Thailand
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Janssen DJA, Bajwah S, Boon MH, Coleman C, Currow DC, Devillers A, Vandendungen C, Ekström M, Flewett R, Greenley S, Guldin MB, Jácome C, Johnson MJ, Kurita GP, Maddocks M, Marques A, Pinnock H, Simon ST, Tonia T, Marsaa K. European Respiratory Society clinical practice guideline: palliative care for people with COPD or interstitial lung disease. Eur Respir J 2023; 62:2202014. [PMID: 37290789 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.02014-2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
There is increased awareness of palliative care needs in people with COPD or interstitial lung disease (ILD). This European Respiratory Society (ERS) task force aimed to provide recommendations for initiation and integration of palliative care into the respiratory care of adult people with COPD or ILD. The ERS task force consisted of 20 members, including representatives of people with COPD or ILD and informal caregivers. Eight questions were formulated, four in the Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome format. These were addressed with full systematic reviews and application of Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation for assessing the evidence. Four additional questions were addressed narratively. An "evidence-to-decision" framework was used to formulate recommendations. The following definition of palliative care for people with COPD or ILD was agreed. A holistic and multidisciplinary person-centred approach aiming to control symptoms and improve quality of life of people with serious health-related suffering because of COPD or ILD, and to support their informal caregivers. Recommendations were made regarding people with COPD or ILD and their informal caregivers: to consider palliative care when physical, psychological, social or existential needs are identified through holistic needs assessment; to offer palliative care interventions, including support for informal caregivers, in accordance with such needs; to offer advance care planning in accordance with preferences; and to integrate palliative care into routine COPD and ILD care. Recommendations should be reconsidered as new evidence becomes available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisy J A Janssen
- Department of Research & Development, Ciro, Horn, The Netherlands
- Department of Health Services Research and Department of Family Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Sabrina Bajwah
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Michele Hilton Boon
- WiSE Centre for Economic Justice, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - David C Currow
- Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Albert Devillers
- Association Belge Francophone contre la Fibrose Pulmonaire (ABFFP), Rebecq, Belgium
| | - Chantal Vandendungen
- Association Belge Francophone contre la Fibrose Pulmonaire (ABFFP), Rebecq, Belgium
| | - Magnus Ekström
- Lund University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Respiratory Medicine, Allergology and Palliative Medicine, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Sarah Greenley
- Institute for Clinical and Applied Health Research, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, UK
| | | | - Cristina Jácome
- CINTESIS@RISE, Department of Community Medicine, Health Information and Decision, Faculty of Medicine of University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Miriam J Johnson
- Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, UK
| | - Geana Paula Kurita
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Multidisciplinary Pain Centre, Department of Anaesthesiology, Pain and Respiratory Support, Neuroscience Centre and Palliative Research Group, Department of Oncology, Centre for Cancer and Organ Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Matthew Maddocks
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Alda Marques
- Respiratory Research and Rehabilitation Laboratory (Lab3R), School of Health Sciences (ESSUA) and Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Hilary Pinnock
- Allergy and Respiratory Research Group, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Steffen T Simon
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, Department of Palliative Medicine and Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Dusseldorf (CIO ABCD), Cologne, Germany
| | - Thomy Tonia
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Kristoffer Marsaa
- Department of Multidisease, Nordsjaellands Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Xu L, Zeng L, Chai E, Morrison RS, Gelfman LP. Functional Status Changes in Patients Receiving Palliative Care Consult During COVID-19 Pandemic. J Pain Symptom Manage 2023; 66:137-145.e3. [PMID: 37088116 PMCID: PMC10122549 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2023.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Hospitalized patients with functional impairment have higher symptom burden and mortality. Little is known about how increased patient volume and acuity during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affected access to palliative care among patients with functional impairment. OBJECTIVES To examine changes in functional status and hospital outcomes among patients receiving inpatient palliative care consultation before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS We conducted a retrospective, multisite cohort study of all adult patients (≥ 18 years) admitted to four hospitals in New York City, USA, who received inpatient palliative care consultation between March 1, 2019 and February 28, 2022 with documented functional status at the time of consultation measured by Karnofsky Performance Status scale. RESULTS Among 13,180 eligible patients identified, patients' functional status at the time of consultation decreased as palliative care consult volume increased with the onset of the pandemic. Compared to pre-pandemic, there was a statistically significant trend of lower functional status (P < 0.001) and higher in-hospital mortality (P < 0.001) among patients with noncancer and non-COVID-19 diagnoses two years after the pandemic. In contrast, patients with cancer had a statistically significant trend of higher functional status (P < 0.001) and no significant changes in in-hospital mortality over time. CONCLUSION As the healthcare system was stressed with high demand and limited resources, palliative care consultation prioritized highest acuity patients by shifting towards those with lower functional status and higher in-hospital mortality. This shift disproportionately affected noncancer patients. Innovative approaches to ensure upstream palliative care consultation during increased resource constraints are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luyi Xu
- Division of Pulmonary (L.X.), Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA; Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine (L.X., L.Z., E.C., R.S.M., L.P.G.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.
| | - Li Zeng
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine (L.X., L.Z., E.C., R.S.M., L.P.G.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Emily Chai
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine (L.X., L.Z., E.C., R.S.M., L.P.G.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Rolfe Sean Morrison
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine (L.X., L.Z., E.C., R.S.M., L.P.G.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA; National Palliative Care Research Center (R.S.M.), New York, New York, USA; Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (R.S.M., L.P.G.), James J. Peters VA Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Laura P Gelfman
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine (L.X., L.Z., E.C., R.S.M., L.P.G.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA; Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (R.S.M., L.P.G.), James J. Peters VA Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
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Mohammed S, Swami N, Pope A, Rodin G, Zimmermann C. Strategies Used by Outpatient Oncology Nurses to Introduce Early Palliative Care: A Qualitative Study. Cancer Nurs 2023:00002820-990000000-00153. [PMID: 37406225 DOI: 10.1097/ncc.0000000000001258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although early palliative care is linked to improved health-related quality of life, satisfaction with care, and symptom management, the clinical strategies that nurses use to actively initiate this care are unknown. OBJECTIVES The aims of this study were to conceptualize the clinical strategies that outpatient oncology nurses use to introduce early palliative care and to determine how these strategies align with the framework of practice. METHODS A constructivist-informed grounded theory study was conducted in a tertiary cancer care center in Toronto, Canada. Twenty nurses (6 staff nurses, 10 nurse practitioners, and 4 advanced practice nurses) from multiple outpatient oncology clinics (ie, breast, pancreatic, hematology) completed semistructured interviews. Analysis occurred concurrently with data collection and used constant comparison until theoretical saturation was reached. RESULTS The overarching core category, pulling it all together, outlines the strategies used by oncology nurses to support timely palliative care referral, drawing on the coordinating, collaborating, relational, and advocacy dimensions of practice. The core category incorporated 3 subcategories: (1) catalyzing and facilitating synergy among disciplines and settings, (2) promoting and considering palliative care within patients' personal narratives, and (3) widening the focus from disease-focused treatment to living well with cancer. CONCLUSION Outpatient oncology nurses enact unique clinical strategies, which are aligned with the nursing framework and reflected multiple dimensions of practice, to introduce early palliative care. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Our findings have clinical, educational, and policy implications for fostering the conditions in which nurses are supported to maximize their full potential in the introduction of early palliative care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Mohammed
- Author Affiliations: Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto (Dr Mohammed); Department of Supportive Care and Princess Margaret Research Institute, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network (Mss Swami and Pope, Drs Rodin and Zimmermann); and Division of Palliative Medicine (Dr Zimmermann), Division of Medical Oncology (Dr Zimmermann), and Department of Psychiatry (Dr Rodin), Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Shinall MC, Martin SF, Karlekar M, Hoskins A, Morgan E, Kiehl A, Bryant P, Orun OM, Raman R, Tillman BF, Hawkins AT, Brown AJ, Bailey CE, Idrees K, Chang SS, Smith JA, Tan MCB, Magge D, Penson D, Ely EW. Effects of Specialist Palliative Care for Patients Undergoing Major Abdominal Surgery for Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Surg 2023; 158:747-755. [PMID: 37163249 PMCID: PMC10173099 DOI: 10.1001/jamasurg.2023.1396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Importance Specialist palliative care benefits patients undergoing medical treatment of cancer; however, data are lacking on whether patients undergoing surgery for cancer similarly benefit from specialist palliative care. Objective To determine the effect of a specialist palliative care intervention on patients undergoing surgery for cure or durable control of cancer. Design, Setting, and Participants This was a single-center randomized clinical trial conducted from March 1, 2018, to October 28, 2021. Patients scheduled for specified intra-abdominal cancer operations were recruited from an academic urban referral center in the Southeastern US. Intervention Preoperative consultation with palliative care specialists and postoperative inpatient and outpatient palliative care follow-up for 90 days. Main Outcomes and Measures The prespecified primary end point was physical and functional quality of life (QoL) at postoperative day (POD) 90, measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) Trial Outcome Index (TOI), which is scored on a range of 0 to 56 with higher scores representing higher physical and functional QoL. Prespecified secondary end points included overall QoL at POD 90 measured by FACT-G, days alive at home until POD 90, and 1-year overall survival. Multivariable proportional odds logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to test the hypothesis that the intervention improved each of these end points relative to usual care in an intention-to-treat analysis. Results A total of 235 eligible patients (median [IQR] age, 65.0 [56.8-71.1] years; 141 male [60.0%]) were randomly assigned to the intervention or usual care group in a 1:1 ratio. Specialist palliative care was received by 114 patients (97%) in the intervention group and 1 patient (1%) in the usual care group. Adjusted median scores on the FACT-G TOI measure of physical and functional QoL did not differ between groups (intervention score, 46.77; 95% CI, 44.18-49.04; usual care score, 46.23; 95% CI, 43.08-48.14; P = .46). Intervention vs usual care group odds ratio (OR) was 1.17 (95% CI, 0.77-1.80). Palliative care did not improve overall QoL measured by the FACT-G score (intervention vs usual care OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.75-1.58), days alive at home (OR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.69-1.11), or 1-year overall survival (hazard ratio, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.50-1.88). Conclusions and Relevance This randomized clinical trial showed no evidence that early specialist palliative care improves the QoL of patients undergoing nonpalliative cancer operations. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03436290.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myrick C. Shinall
- Division of General Surgery, Section of Surgical Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Section of Palliative Care, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction, and Survivorship Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Surgical Service, Tennessee Valley Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Nashville
| | - Sara F. Martin
- Section of Palliative Care, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Mohana Karlekar
- Section of Palliative Care, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Aimee Hoskins
- Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction, and Survivorship Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary, and Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Ellis Morgan
- Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction, and Survivorship Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary, and Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Amy Kiehl
- Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction, and Survivorship Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary, and Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Patsy Bryant
- Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction, and Survivorship Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary, and Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Onur M. Orun
- Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction, and Survivorship Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Rameela Raman
- Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction, and Survivorship Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Benjamin F. Tillman
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Medical Service, Tennessee Valley Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Nashville
| | - Alexander T. Hawkins
- Division of General Surgery, Section of Surgical Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Alaina J. Brown
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Christina E. Bailey
- Division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery, Section of Surgical Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Kamran Idrees
- Division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery, Section of Surgical Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Sam S. Chang
- Department of Urology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Joseph A. Smith
- Department of Urology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Marcus C. B. Tan
- Division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery, Section of Surgical Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Deepa Magge
- Division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery, Section of Surgical Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - David Penson
- Department of Urology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Tennessee Valley Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Tennessee Valley Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Nashville
| | - E. Wesley Ely
- Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction, and Survivorship Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary, and Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Tennessee Valley Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Tennessee Valley Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Nashville
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Wang T, Lu Q, Tang L. Assessment tools for patient-reported outcomes in multiple myeloma. Support Care Cancer 2023; 31:431. [PMID: 37389673 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-023-07902-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with multiple myeloma experience severe symptom burden. Patient participation in self-reporting is essential as medical staff's assessment of patient symptom severity is often lower than patient self-reporting. This article reviews patient-reported outcome (PRO) assessment tools and their application in the field of multiple myeloma. RESULTS The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) is the universal patient-reported outcome assessment tool most frequently used to evaluate the life quality in people with multiple myeloma. Among the specific patient-reported outcome assessment tools, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Multiple Myeloma Module (EORTC QLQ-MY20), the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Multiple Myeloma (FACT-MM), and the M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory-Multiple Myeloma Module (MDASI-MM) are the most widely used, with some scholars using the EORTC QLQ-MY20 as a calibration correlate for scale development. Most current assessment instruments were developed using classical measurement theory methods; future researchers could combine classic theory tests and item response theory to create scientific assessment instruments. In addition, researchers select the appropriate assessment tool based on the purpose of the study. They can translate high-quality assessment tools into different languages and consider applying them more often to assessing multiple myeloma patients. Finally, most existing PROs focus on measuring life quality and symptoms in people with multiple myeloma, with less research on outcomes such as adherence and satisfaction, thus failing to comprehensively evaluate the patient treatment and disease management. CONCLUSIONS Research has shown that the field of PROs in multiple myeloma is in an exploratory phase. There is still a need to enrich the content of PROs and develop more high-quality PRO scales for multiple myeloma based on the strengths and weaknesses of existing tools. With the successful advancement of information technology, PROs for people with multiple myeloma could be integrated with electronic information systems, allowing patients to report their health status in real time and doctors to track their condition and adjust their treatment, thereby improving patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Wang
- Department of Haematology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Qin Lu
- Department of Haematology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - LeiWen Tang
- Department of Nursing, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China.
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Bourmorck D, de Saint-Hubert M, Desmedt M, Piers R, Flament J, De Brauwer I. SPICT as a predictive tool for risk of 1-year health degradation and death in older patients admitted to the emergency department: a bicentric cohort study in Belgium. BMC Palliat Care 2023; 22:79. [PMID: 37355577 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-023-01201-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Older patients are increasingly showing multi-comorbidities, including advanced chronic diseases. When admitted to the emergency department (ED), the decision to pursue life-prolonging treatments or to initiate a palliative care approach is a challenge for clinicians. We test for the first time the diagnostic accuracy of the Supportive and Palliative Care Indicators Tool (SPICT) in the ED to identify older patients at risk of deteriorating and dying, and timely address palliative care needs. METHODS We conducted a prospective bicentric cohort study on 352 older patients (≥ 75 years) admitted to two EDs in Belgium between December 2019 and March 2020 and between August and November 2020. SPICT (French version, 2019) variables were collected during the patients' admission to the ED, along with socio-demographic, medical and functional data. The palliative profile was defined as a positive SPICT assessment. Survival, symptoms and health degradation (≥ 1 point in ADL Katz score or institutionalisation and death) were followed at 12 months by phone. Main accuracy measures were sensitivity, specificity and likelihood ratios (LR) as well as cox regression, survival analysis using the Kaplan Meier method, and ordinal regression. RESULTS Out of 352 patients included in the study (mean age 83 ± 5.5 years, 43% male), 167 patients (47%) had a positive SPICT profile. At one year follow up, SPICT positive patients presented significantly more health degradation (72%) compared with SPICT negative patients (35%, p < 0.001). SPICT positivity was correlated with 1-year health degradation (OR 4.9; p < 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of SPICT to predict health degradation were 0.65 (95%CI, 0.57-0.73) and 0.72 (95%CI, 0.64-0.80) respectively, with a negative LR of 0.48 (95%CI, 0.38-0.60) and a positive LR of 2.37 (1.78-3.16). The survival time was shorter in SPICT positive patients than in SPICT negative ones (p < 0.001), the former having a higher 1-year mortality rate (HR = 4.21; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS SPICT successfully identifies older patients at high risk of health degradation and death. It can support emergency clinicians to identify older patients with a palliative profile and subsequently initiate a palliative care approach with a discussion on goals of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delphine Bourmorck
- Institut de Recherche Santé et Société, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Clos Chapelle-aux-Champs, 30, Bruxelles, 1200, Belgium.
| | - Marie de Saint-Hubert
- Institut de Recherche Santé et Société, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Clos Chapelle-aux-Champs, 30, Bruxelles, 1200, Belgium
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire - UCL - Namur, Avenue Gaston Thérasse 1, Yvoir, 5530, Belgium
| | - Marianne Desmedt
- Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, Avenue Hippocrate 10, Bruxelles, 1200, Belgium
| | - Ruth Piers
- Department of Geriatrics, Ghent University Hospital, C. Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, Gent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Julien Flament
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire - UCL - Namur, Avenue Gaston Thérasse 1, Yvoir, 5530, Belgium
| | - Isabelle De Brauwer
- Institut de Recherche Santé et Société, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Clos Chapelle-aux-Champs, 30, Bruxelles, 1200, Belgium
- Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, Avenue Hippocrate 10, Bruxelles, 1200, Belgium
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Schelin MEC, Fürst CJ, Rasmussen BH, Hedman C. Increased patient satisfaction by integration of palliative care into geriatrics-A prospective cohort study. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287550. [PMID: 37347730 PMCID: PMC10286968 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Integration of oncology and palliative care has been shown to increase quality of life in advanced disease. To meet the needs of the growing older population, integration of palliative care and geriatrics has been proposed but scarcely described. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to integrate palliative care into geriatrics by a structured care guide, the Swedish Palliative Care Guide, and to evaluate its effect on patient satisfaction, health-related quality of life and symptom burden, compared to a control group. METHODS Geriatric in-patients over 65 years of age were included in the study, those with cognitive impairment were excluded. Data was collected before (baseline) and after the implementation (intervention) of the Swedish Palliative Care Guide. Patient satisfaction was evaluated two weeks after discharge with questions from a national patient survey. Health-related quality of life was measured with EQ-5D-3L and symptom burden with Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale. RESULTS In total, 400 patients were included, 200 in the baseline- and intervention group, respectively. Mean age was 83 years in both groups. Patient satisfaction was significantly higher in nine out of ten questions (p = 0.02-<0.001) in the intervention group compared to baseline. No differences between the groups were seen in health-related quality of life or symptom burden. CONCLUSION A significant effect on patient satisfaction was seen after implementation of the Swedish Palliative Care Guide in geriatric care. Thus, integration of palliative care and geriatrics could be of substantial benefit in the growing population of older adults with multimorbidity and frailty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria E. C. Schelin
- Institute for Palliative Care, Lund University and Region Skåne, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Carl Johan Fürst
- Institute for Palliative Care, Lund University and Region Skåne, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Birgit H. Rasmussen
- Institute for Palliative Care, Lund University and Region Skåne, Lund, Sweden
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Christel Hedman
- Institute for Palliative Care, Lund University and Region Skåne, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- R & D department, Stockholms Sjukhem Foundation, Stockholm, Sweden
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Murali KP, Merriman JD, Yu G, Vorderstrasse A, Kelley AS, Brody AA. Complex Care Needs at the End of Life for Seriously Ill Adults With Multiple Chronic Conditions. J Hosp Palliat Nurs 2023; 25:146-155. [PMID: 37040386 PMCID: PMC10175220 DOI: 10.1097/njh.0000000000000946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the complex care needs of seriously ill adults with multiple chronic conditions with and without cancer is critical for the delivery of high-quality serious illness and palliative care at the end of life. The objective of this secondary data analysis of a multisite randomized clinical trial in palliative care was to elucidate the clinical profile and complex care needs of seriously ill adults with multiple chronic conditions and to highlight key differences among those with and without cancer at the end of life. Of the 213 (74.2%) older adults who met criteria for multiple chronic conditions (eg, 2 or more chronic conditions requiring regular care with limitations of daily living), 49% had a diagnosis of cancer. Hospice enrollment was operationalized as an indicator for severity of illness and allowed for the capture of complex care needs of those deemed to be nearing the end of life. Individuals with cancer had complex symptomatology with a higher prevalence of nausea, drowsiness, and poor appetite and end of life and lower hospice enrollment. Individuals with multiple chronic conditions without cancer had lower functional status, greater number of medications, and higher hospice enrollment. The care of seriously ill older adults with multiple chronic conditions requires tailored approaches to improve outcomes and quality of care across health care settings, particularly at the end of life.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gary Yu
- New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing
| | | | - Amy S. Kelley
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine
| | - Abraham A. Brody
- New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing
- New York University Grossman School of Medicine
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Quan Vega ML, Chihuri ST, Lackraj D, Murali KP, Li G, Hua M. Place of Death From Cancer in US States With vs Without Palliative Care Laws. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2317247. [PMID: 37289458 PMCID: PMC10251210 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.17247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance In the US, improving end-of-life care has become increasingly urgent. Some states have enacted legislation intended to facilitate palliative care delivery for seriously ill patients, but it is unknown whether these laws have any measurable consequences for patient outcomes. Objective To determine whether US state palliative care legislation is associated with place of death from cancer. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study with a difference-in-differences analysis used information about state legislation combined with death certificate data for 50 US states (from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2017) for all decedents who had any type of cancer listed as the underlying cause of death. Data analysis for this study occurred between September 1, 2021, and August 31, 2022. Exposures Presence of a nonprescriptive (relating to palliative and end-of-life care without prescribing particular clinician actions) or prescriptive (requiring clinicians to offer patients information about care options) palliative care law in the state-year where death occurred. Main Outcomes and Measures Multilevel relative risk regression with state modeled as a random effect was used to estimate the likelihood of dying at home or hospice for decedents dying in state-years with a palliative care law compared with decedents dying in state-years without such laws. Results This study included 7 547 907 individuals with cancer as the underlying cause of death. Their mean (SD) age was 71 (14) years, and 3 609 146 were women (47.8%). In terms of race and ethnicity, the majority of decedents were White (85.6%) and non-Hispanic (94.1%). During the study period, 553 state-years (85.1%) had no palliative care law, 60 state-years (9.2%) had a nonprescriptive palliative care law, and 37 state-years (5.7%) had a prescriptive palliative care law. A total of 3 780 918 individuals (50.1%) died at home or in hospice. Most decedents (70.8%) died in state-years without a palliative care law, while 15.7% died in state-years with a nonprescriptive law and 13.5% died in state-years with a prescriptive law. Compared with state-years without a palliative care law, the likelihood of dying at home or in hospice was 12% higher for decedents in state-years with a nonprescriptive palliative care law (relative risk, 1.12 [95% CI 1.08-1.16]) and 18% higher for decedents in state-years with a prescriptive palliative care law (relative risk, 1.18 [95% CI, 1.11-1.26]). Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study of decedents from cancer, state palliative care laws were associated with an increased likelihood of dying at home or in hospice. Passage of state palliative care legislation may be an effective policy intervention to increase the number of seriously ill patients who experience their death in such locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Main Lin Quan Vega
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York
| | - Stanford T. Chihuri
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York
| | - Deven Lackraj
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York
- Department of Physician Assistant Studies, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Komal Patel Murali
- Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, New York
- New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York, New York
| | - Guohua Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York
| | - May Hua
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York
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Davis A, Dukart-Harrington K. Enhancing Care of Older Adults Through Standardizing Palliative Care Education. J Gerontol Nurs 2023; 49:6-12. [PMID: 37256761 DOI: 10.3928/00989134-20230512-02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Nursing skill in caring for persons with serious chronic illness is increasingly in demand as the proportion of older adults in the United States increases. There is robust evidence that palliative care education among health care providers influences the reduction of death anxiety and avoidance behavior, while positively impacting self-efficacy and comfort, when caring for persons with serious illness or those nearing death. The international recognition of access to palliative care as a universal human right drives the need for education to adequately prepare nurses who have not been properly prepared for this work. The development of national competencies in palliative care education for nurses is an important step in synthesizing and disseminating available evidence in support of palliative care nursing education. These recently published competencies can lead to policy innovations at local, state, and national levels. Identifying competencies that lead to more clearly defined curricula will ultimately improve standardizing education and improve nursing practice in caring for older adults with serious chronic illness and their families. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 49(6), 6-12.].
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