1
|
Felber SJ, Zambrano SC, Guffi T, Schmitz FM, Brem BG, Schnabel KP, Guttormsen S, Eychmüller S. How to talk about dying? The development of an evidence-based model for communication with patients in their last days of life and their family caregivers. PEC INNOVATION 2024; 5:100309. [PMID: 39027227 PMCID: PMC11254737 DOI: 10.1016/j.pecinn.2024.100309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Objective To help healthcare professionals (HCP) act with more confidence when communicating about approaching death, we sought to develop a communication model for HCP to facilitate conversations with dying patients and family caregivers (FC) in nonemergency situations. Methods We used a four-phase integrative approach: (1) creation of a preliminary model based on a systematic literature review and expert knowledge, (2) review of the model draft by international palliative care experts, (3) review by key stakeholders, and (4) final appraisal by communication experts. Results After the clinical recognition of dying, the communication model provides a structure and practical communication aids for navigating the conversation based on three phases. It describes the content and relational level as core dimensions of effective conversations about approaching death and highlights the importance of HCP self-awareness and self-care when caring for the dying. Conclusion Based on systematic involvement of key stakeholders, the model supports clinicians navigating challenging conversations about approaching death with dying patients and their FC successfully and with more confidence. Innovation This study expands the theoretical basis for communication about approaching death and offers a pragmatic model for educational interventions and clinical use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sibylle J. Felber
- University Centre for Palliative Care (UZP), Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sofia C. Zambrano
- University Centre for Palliative Care (UZP), Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Institute for Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Tommaso Guffi
- Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Felix M. Schmitz
- Institute for Medical Education (IML), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Beate G. Brem
- Institute for Medical Education (IML), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Kai P. Schnabel
- Institute for Medical Education (IML), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sissel Guttormsen
- Institute for Medical Education (IML), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Steffen Eychmüller
- University Centre for Palliative Care (UZP), Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Varilek BM, Mollman S. Healthcare professionals' perspectives of barriers to cancer care delivery for American Indian, rural, and frontier populations. PEC INNOVATION 2024; 4:100247. [PMID: 38225930 PMCID: PMC10788248 DOI: 10.1016/j.pecinn.2023.100247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Objective This descriptive qualitative study sought to understand the barriers affecting cancer care delivery from the perspective of healthcare professionals (HCPs) serving American Indian (AI), rural, and frontier populations. Methods One-on-one, semi-structured interviews with multidisciplinary HCPs (N = 18) who provide cancer care to AI, rural, and frontier populations were conducted between January and April 2022. Interviews were conducted via Zoom. Data were analyzed following thematic content analysis methodologies. Results Thematic content analysis revealed three major themes: (a) Access, (b) Time, and (c) Isolation. The themes represent the HCP perspectives of the needs and barriers of persons with cancer to whom they provide cancer care. Furthermore, these themes also reflect the barriers HCPs experience while providing cancer care to AI, rural and frontier populations. Conclusions This study provides preliminary evidence for the need and strong multidisciplinary support for an early palliative care intervention in rural and frontier South Dakota (SD). This intervention could support the needs of persons with advanced cancer as well as the HCPs delivering cancer care in rural settings. Innovation This study is the initial step to develop the first culturally responsive, nurse-led, early palliative care intervention for AI, rural, and frontier persons with advanced cancer in SD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brandon M. Varilek
- South Dakota State University, College of Nursing, 2300 North Career Ave, Suite 260, Sioux Falls, SD 57107, USA
| | - Sarah Mollman
- South Dakota State University, College of Nursing – Office of Nursing Research, 1011 11 St, Rapid City, SD 57701, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Aller A, Shirazi A, Pedell L, Altschuler A, Hauser K, Cheslock M, Wei J, Duffens A, Whitehead H, Lim P, Katzel J, Martinez F, Lin A, Aller S, Aller C, Jones T, Yen SM, Liu R. What Matters Most: The Documented Goals, Values and Motivators of Advanced Cancer Patients. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2024; 41:1297-1306. [PMID: 38112439 DOI: 10.1177/10499091231223144] [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: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Goals of care conversations are essential to delivery of goal concordant care. Infrequent and inconsistent goals of care documentation potentially limit delivery of goal concordant care. METHODS At Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Cancer Center, a standardized documentation template was designed and implemented to increase goals of care documentation by oncologists. The centralized, prompt-based template included value clarification of the goals and values of advanced cancer patients beyond treatment preferences. Documented conversations using the template during the initial pilot period were reviewed to characterization the clinical context in which conversations were recorded. Common goals and motivators were also identified. RESULTS A total of 178 advanced cancer patients had at least 1 documented conversation by a medical oncologist using the goals of care template. Oncologists consistently documented within the template goals of therapy and motivating factors in decision making. The most frequently documented goals of care were "Avoiding Pain and Suffering," "Physical Independence," and "Living as Long as Possible." The least recorded goal was "Comfort Focused Treatment Only." CONCLUSIONS Review of oncologist documented goals of care conversations using a prompt-based template allowed for characterization of the clinical context, therapy goals and motivators of advanced cancer patients. Communication of goals of care conversations by oncologists using a standardized prompt-based template within a centralized location has the potential to improve delivery of goal concordant care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Aller
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Aida Shirazi
- Department of Graduate Medical Education, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Andrea Altschuler
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Karen Hauser
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Megan Cheslock
- Department of Geriatrics Medicine, Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Bedford, MA, USA
| | - Jenny Wei
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ali Duffens
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Hannah Whitehead
- The Permanente Medical Group Consulting Services, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Peggy Lim
- The Permanente Medical Group Consulting Services, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Jed Katzel
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Francisco Martinez
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Amy Lin
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Steve Aller
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Cynthia Aller
- Department of Hematology, Providence Regional Cancer System Lacey Cancer Clinic, Lacey, WA, USA
| | - Tyler Jones
- The Permanente Medical Group Consulting Services, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Sue May Yen
- The Permanente Medical Group Consulting Services, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Raymond Liu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Frêche B, Brillard R, Brenot A, Archambault P, Poupin E. [Patients' experience of neoplasia care by their general practitioner. Qualitative study of case histories]. Bull Cancer 2024; 111:930-943. [PMID: 39266426 DOI: 10.1016/j.bulcan.2024.07.003] [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: 01/27/2024] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little research has been done on the follow-up of patients in the active phase of treatment in primary care. This study aimed to build up a corpus of authentic clinical situations and carry out an inductive analysis of the data. METHOD Research in two stages: case study and qualitative analysis of verbatims. The authors conducted individual interviews using an interview guide. The questions targeted their experiences, focusing on their relationship with their general practitioner. RESULTS Six themes were identified. The announcement of the diagnosis was a key moment. Patients emphasised their general practitioner's responsiveness and coordination, and stressed his involvement. They consulted him regularly during the active phase of treatment, and asked for information. They felt confident. The need to facilitate access to the general practitioner was noted, particularly in the event of a real or perceived emergency. DISCUSSION The increase in the prevalence and incidence of cancer means that general practitioners need to be heavily involved. The authorities are advocating a strengthening of the general practitioner's "pivotal role", without clearly defining it. A perceived lack of skills may be an obstacle to general practitioner involvement. Training in cancer during the 3rd cycle of general medical studies is inadequate. By compiling and analysing a corpus of cases, it would be possible to redefine the training objectives and list the skills required to manage cancer patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bernard Frêche
- Département de médecine générale, université de Poitiers, 86073 Poitiers, France; Pôle de recherche en soins primaires, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France; Inserm 1070, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Rodolphe Brillard
- Département de médecine générale, université de Poitiers, 86073 Poitiers, France
| | - Axelle Brenot
- Département de médecine générale, université de Poitiers, 86073 Poitiers, France
| | - Pierrick Archambault
- Département de médecine générale, université de Poitiers, 86073 Poitiers, France; Pôle de recherche en soins primaires, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Elodie Poupin
- Département de médecine générale, université de Poitiers, 86073 Poitiers, France; Pôle de recherche en soins primaires, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Berardi R, Parisi A, Maruzzo M, Bellani M, Beretta GD, Boldrini M, Cavanna L, Gori S, Iannelli E, Mancuso AM, Marinelli M, Martinella V, Musso M, Papa R, Russo A, Tarantino V, Taranto M, Cinieri S. Communication in oncology between healthcare providers, patients, the scientific community, and the media: recommendations from the Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM). Support Care Cancer 2024; 32:613. [PMID: 39222131 PMCID: PMC11369048 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-024-08786-8] [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: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
AIM To identify barriers between health and communication in oncology in order to promote the best possible practice. The areas of communication to be focused on are communication directly with the patient, communication within the scientific community, and communication with the media. MATERIAL AND METHODS A working group including eminent experts from the national mass media, healthcare system, and patients' advocacy has been established on behalf of the Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM), with the aim of developing suitable recommendations for the best communication in oncology. A literature search has been conducted selecting primary studies related to the best practices applied to communication in oncology. Subsequent to having identified the most representative statements, through a consensus conference using the RAND/University of California Los Angeles modified Delphi method, the panel evaluated the relevance of each statement to support useful strategies to develop effective communication between oncologist physicians and patients, communication within the scientific community, and communication with media outlets, including social media. RESULTS A total of 292 statements have been extracted from 100 articles. Following an evaluation of relevance, it was found that among the 142 statements achieving the highest scores, 30 of these have been considered of particular interest by the panel. CONCLUSIONS This consensus and the arising document represent an attempt to strengthen the strategic alliance between key figures in communication, identifying high-impact recommendations for the management of communication in oncology with respect to patients, the wider scientific community, and the media.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rossana Berardi
- Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (AOU) Delle Marche, Università Politecnica Delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Alessandro Parisi
- Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (AOU) Delle Marche, Università Politecnica Delle Marche, Ancona, Italy.
| | - Marco Maruzzo
- Oncology Unit 1, Department of Oncology, Istituto Oncologico Veneto IOV-IRCCS, Padova, Italy
| | - Marco Bellani
- Psycho-Oncology Unit, Department of Medicine and Innovation Technology, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Giordano Domenico Beretta
- UOC Oncologia Medica, ASL Pescara P.O., Pescara, Italy
- Italian Foundation of Medical Oncology (Fondazione AIOM), Milan, Italy
| | - Mauro Boldrini
- Italian Foundation of Medical Oncology (Fondazione AIOM), Milan, Italy
| | - Luigi Cavanna
- Casa Di Cura Piacenza, Internal Medicine and Oncology, Via Morigi 41, 29121, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Stefania Gori
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale Sacro Cuore Don Calabria, Negrar Di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Iannelli
- Italian Federation of Volunteer-Based Cancer Organizations (FAVO), Rome, Italy
- Italian Association of Cancer Patients, Relatives and Friends (Aimac), Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Vera Martinella
- Scientific Journalist for Umberto Veronesi Foundation and Corriere Della Sera, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Roberto Papa
- Risk Management and Health Technology Innovation Unit, Department of Staff, AOU Delle Marche, 60126, Ancona, Italy
| | - Antonio Russo
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, Section of Medical Oncology, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Valentina Tarantino
- Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (AOU) Delle Marche, Università Politecnica Delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | | | - Saverio Cinieri
- Medical Oncology Division and Breast Unit, Senatore Antonio Perrino Hospital, ASL Brindisi, Brindisi, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Singh S, Dafoe A, Cagle J, Messersmith WA, Kessler ER, Lum HD, Holliman BD, Fischer S. Respect for the Patient-Oncologist Relationship May Limit Serious Illness Communication by Acute and Postacute Care Clinicians After Discharge to a Skilled Nursing Facility. JCO Oncol Pract 2024:OP2400197. [PMID: 38857462 DOI: 10.1200/op.24.00197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE There is a need to increase palliative care access for hospitalized older adults with cancer discharged to a skilled nursing facility (SNF) at risk of poor outcomes. Assessing and Listening to Individual Goals and Needs (ALIGN) is a palliative care intervention developed to address this gap. This study gathered perspectives from clinicians across care settings to describe perceptions on serious illness communication and care coordination for patients with cancer after discharge to a SNF to guide ALIGN refinements. METHODS We conducted 37 semistructured interviews with clinicians and leaders in hospital medicine (n = 12), oncology (n = 9), palliative care (n = 12), home health care (n = 6), and hospice (n = 4). Some participants had experience working in more than one specialty. The Practical Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model framework was used to develop the interview guide that explored barriers to care, prognosis discussions, and hospice recommendations. Interviews were coded and analyzed using thematic content analysis. RESULTS Analysis identified four themes: (1) discharge to a SNF is recognized as a time of worsening prognosis; (2) care silos create communication and information barriers during a period of increasing palliative care need; (3) family caregiver distress escalates following care transitions; and (4) lack of clarity of roles and respect for the patient-oncologist relationship limits prognostic communication and changes in focus of treatment. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that acute and postacute care clinicians defer serious illness conversations to the oncologist when patients are on a steep trajectory of decline, experiencing multiple care transitions, and may have limited contact with their oncologist. There is a need to clarify roles among nononcology and oncology clinicians in discussing prognosis and recommending hospice for older adults discharged to SNF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarguni Singh
- Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO
| | - Ashley Dafoe
- Adult and Child Center for Outcomes Research and Delivery Science, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO
| | - John Cagle
- University of Maryland School of Social Work, Baltimore, MD
| | - Wells A Messersmith
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO
| | - Elizabeth R Kessler
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO
| | - Hillary D Lum
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO
| | - Brooke Dorsey Holliman
- Adult and Child Center for Outcomes Research and Delivery Science, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO
| | - Stacy Fischer
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Aller A, Hauser K, Pedell L, Martinez F, Lin A. Time is of the Essence: Why Goals-of-Care Conversations and Prognosis Documentation Matters in Advanced Cancer Patients in an Integrated Health System. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2024; 41:634-640. [PMID: 37592901 DOI: 10.1177/10499091231188715] [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] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Advanced cancer patients benefit less from aggressive therapies and more from goal-directed palliative management. Early and clearly documented goals-of-care discussions, including end-of-life decision making, are essential in this patient population. Integrated healthcare systems are comprehensive care models associated with improved quality of care and lower mortality compared to other healthcare models. The role of advance care planning within our system is understudied. Methods: Patients 18 years and older with a diagnosis of advanced-stage cancer were identified over a 6-month period. Expert panel review was performed to evaluate medical appropriateness of the selected diagnostic workup and management. The role and extent of care planning was reviewed in association with the clinical context. Results: In a cohort of 82 patients, evidence-based and individualized appropriateness of medical management was found to be consistent for all patients. Eighty-two percent of patients elected for oncologic-based treatment, 5% pursued active surveillance, and 11% did not receive treatment. Seventy-three percent of patients were referred to palliative care. Fifty-six percent of patients had a full goals-of-care conversation documented; yet only 9% of goals-of-care conversations were documented by an oncologist. Prognosis was documented fully for only 22% of patients. At the end of the study period, 43 patients were deceased (52%), further indicating the critical importance of documentation. Conclusions: Within our integrated health system, we found consistent guideline- and patient-directed diagnosis and management, along with frequent integration of palliative care services. Goals-of-care conversation and prognosis documentation, especially by the oncologist, remains an area of needed improvement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Aller
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, The Permanente Medical Group, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Karen Hauser
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Leon Pedell
- Independent Consultant, West Bloomfield Township, MI, USA
| | - Francisco Martinez
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, The Permanente Medical Group, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Amy Lin
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, The Permanente Medical Group, San Francisco, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Herskovits AZ, Newman T, Nicholas K, Colorado-Jimenez CF, Perry CE, Valentino A, Wagner I, Egan B, Gorenshteyn D, Vickers AJ, Pessin MS. Comparing Clinician Estimates versus a Statistical Tool for Predicting Risk of Death within 45 Days of Admission for Cancer Patients. Appl Clin Inform 2024; 15:489-500. [PMID: 38925539 PMCID: PMC11208110 DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1787185] [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: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES While clinical practice guidelines recommend that oncologists discuss goals of care with patients who have advanced cancer, it is estimated that less than 20% of individuals admitted to the hospital with high-risk cancers have end-of-life discussions with their providers. While there has been interest in developing models for mortality prediction to trigger such discussions, few studies have compared how such models compare with clinical judgment to determine a patient's mortality risk. METHODS This study is a prospective analysis of 1,069 solid tumor medical oncology hospital admissions (n = 911 unique patients) from February 7 to June 7, 2022, at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Electronic surveys were sent to hospitalists, advanced practice providers, and medical oncologists the first afternoon following a hospital admission and they were asked to estimate the probability that the patient would die within 45 days. Provider estimates of mortality were compared with those from a predictive model developed using a supervised machine learning methodology, and incorporated routine laboratory, demographic, biometric, and admission data. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), calibration and decision curves were compared between clinician estimates and the model predictions. RESULTS Within 45 days following hospital admission, 229 (25%) of 911 patients died. The model performed better than the clinician estimates (AUC 0.834 vs. 0.753, p < 0.0001). Integrating clinician predictions with the model's estimates further increased the AUC to 0.853 (p < 0.0001). Clinicians overestimated risk whereas the model was extremely well-calibrated. The model demonstrated net benefit over a wide range of threshold probabilities. CONCLUSION The inpatient prognosis at admission model is a robust tool to assist clinical providers in evaluating mortality risk, and it has recently been implemented in the electronic medical record at our institution to improve end-of-life care planning for hospitalized cancer patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adrianna Z. Herskovits
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, United States
| | - Tiffanny Newman
- Department of Strategy and Innovation, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, United States
| | - Kevin Nicholas
- Department of Strategy and Innovation, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, United States
| | - Cesar F. Colorado-Jimenez
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, United States
| | - Claire E. Perry
- Department of Strategy and Innovation, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, United States
| | - Alisa Valentino
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, United States
| | - Isaac Wagner
- Department of Strategy and Innovation, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, United States
| | - Barbara Egan
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, United States
| | | | - Andrew J. Vickers
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, United States
| | - Melissa S. Pessin
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ashana DC, Welsh W, Preiss D, Sperling J, You H, Tu K, Carson SS, Hough C, White DB, Kerlin M, Docherty S, Johnson KS, Cox CE. Racial Differences in Shared Decision-Making About Critical Illness. JAMA Intern Med 2024; 184:424-432. [PMID: 38407845 PMCID: PMC10897823 DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.8433] [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: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Importance Shared decision-making is the preferred method for evaluating complex tradeoffs in the care of patients with critical illness. However, it remains unknown whether critical care clinicians engage diverse patients and caregivers equitably in shared decision-making. Objective To compare critical care clinicians' approaches to shared decision-making in recorded conversations with Black and White caregivers of patients with critical illness. Design, Setting, and Participants This thematic analysis consisted of unstructured clinician-caregiver meetings audio-recorded during a randomized clinical trial of a decision aid about prolonged mechanical ventilation at 13 intensive care units in the US. Participants in meetings included critical care clinicians and Black or White caregivers of patients who underwent mechanical ventilation. The codebook included components of shared decision-making and known mechanisms of racial disparities in clinical communication. Analysts were blinded to caregiver race during coding. Patterns within and across racial groups were evaluated to identify themes. Data analysis was conducted between August 2021 and April 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures The main outcomes were themes describing clinician behaviors varying by self-reported race of the caregivers. Results The overall sample comprised 20 Black and 19 White caregivers for a total of 39 audio-recorded meetings with clinicians. The duration of meetings was similar for both Black and White caregivers (mean [SD], 23.9 [13.7] minutes vs 22.1 [11.2] minutes, respectively). Both Black and White caregivers were generally middle-aged (mean [SD] age, 47.6 [9.9] years vs 51.9 [8.8] years, respectively), female (15 [75.0%] vs 14 [73.7%], respectively), and possessed a high level of self-assessed health literacy, which was scored from 3 to 15 with lower scores indicating increasing health literacy (mean [SD], 5.8 [2.3] vs 5.3 [2.0], respectively). Clinicians conducting meetings with Black and White caregivers were generally young (mean [SD] age, 38.8 [6.6] years vs 37.9 [8.2] years, respectively), male (13 [72.2%] vs 12 [70.6%], respectively), and White (14 [77.8%] vs 17 [100%], respectively). Four variations in clinicians' shared decision-making behaviors by caregiver race were identified: (1) providing limited emotional support for Black caregivers, (2) failing to acknowledge trust and gratitude expressed by Black caregivers, (3) sharing limited medical information with Black caregivers, and (4) challenging Black caregivers' preferences for restorative care. These themes encompass both relational and informational aspects of shared decision-making. Conclusions and Relevance The results of this thematic analysis showed that critical care clinicians missed opportunities to acknowledge emotions and value the knowledge of Black caregivers compared with White caregivers. These findings may inform future clinician-level interventions aimed at promoting equitable shared decision-making.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deepshikha C. Ashana
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
- Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Whitney Welsh
- Social Science Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Doreet Preiss
- Social Science Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Jessica Sperling
- Social Science Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - HyunBin You
- School of Nursing, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Karissa Tu
- School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle
| | | | - Catherine Hough
- Department of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland
| | - Douglas B. White
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Meeta Kerlin
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | | | - Kimberly S. Johnson
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Durham Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Durham, North Carolina
| | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Bell SG, Althouse AD, Belin SC, Arnold RM, Smith KJ, White DB, Chu E, Schenker Y, Thomas TH. Associations of Health Care Utilization and Therapeutic Alliance in Patients with Advanced Cancer. J Palliat Med 2024; 27:515-520. [PMID: 38574330 PMCID: PMC11265618 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2023.0559] [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] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Therapeutic alliance (TA), or the extent to which patients feel a sense of caring and trust with their physician, may have an impact on health care utilization. We sought to determine if TA is associated with: (1) emergency department (ED) visits within 30 days of death and (2) hospice enrollment. Methods and Materials: This is a secondary analysis of data from a randomized clinical trial. We used restricted cubic splines to assess the relationship between TA scores and health care utilization. Results: Six hundred seventy-two patients were enrolled in the study, with 331 (49.3%) dying within 12 months. Patients with higher TA were less likely to have an ED visit in the last 30 days of life, but there was no evidence of a relationship between TA and enrollment in hospice. Conclusions: Higher TA was associated with decreased ED visits within 30 days of death. There was no association between TA and rates of hospice enrollment. Clinical Registration Number: NCT02712229.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah G. Bell
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Andrew D. Althouse
- Palliative Research Center (PaRC), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Shane C. Belin
- Palliative Research Center (PaRC), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Robert M. Arnold
- Palliative Research Center (PaRC), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Section of Palliative Care and Medical Ethics, Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kenneth J. Smith
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Douglas B. White
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Edward Chu
- Department of Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Yael Schenker
- Palliative Research Center (PaRC), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Section of Palliative Care and Medical Ethics, Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Teresa H. Thomas
- Section of Palliative Care and Medical Ethics, Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Mathew A, Jain B, Patel TA, Hammond A, Dee EC, Chino F. Trends in Location of Death for Individuals With Ovarian Cancer in the United States. Obstet Gynecol 2024; 143:101-103. [PMID: 37944156 PMCID: PMC10842215 DOI: 10.1097/aog.0000000000005439] [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: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Using the publicly available Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's WONDER (Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research) database from 2003 to 2019, we evaluated associations between decedent characteristics and location of death for patients with ovarian malignancy. We found that Black, Native American, Asian American, and Hispanic patients were more likely to die in hospitals than White patients, despite an overall reduction in hospital deaths and an overall increase in hospice facility deaths. Additionally, patients with lesser educational attainment were more likely to die in nursing facilities and less likely to die in hospice facilities. Although there may be some contribution from cultural preferences, these findings may represent disparities in access to palliative care affecting people with cancer from racial and ethnic minoritized groups.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Bhav Jain
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | | | | | | | - Fumiko Chino
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affordability Working Group, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Arch JJ, Bright EE, Finkelstein LB, Fink RM, Mitchell JL, Andorsky DJ, Kutner JS. Anxiety and Depression in Metastatic Cancer: A Critical Review of Negative Impacts on Advance Care Planning and End-of-Life Decision Making With Practical Recommendations. JCO Oncol Pract 2023; 19:1097-1108. [PMID: 37831973 PMCID: PMC10732500 DOI: 10.1200/op.23.00287] [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: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Providers treating adults with advanced cancer increasingly seek to engage patients and surrogates in advance care planning (ACP) and end-of-life (EOL) decision making; however, anxiety and depression may interfere with engagement. The intersection of these two key phenomena is examined among patients with metastatic cancer and their surrogates: the need to prepare for and engage in ACP and EOL decision making and the high prevalence of anxiety and depression. METHODS Using a critical review framework, we examine the specific ways that anxiety and depression are likely to affect both ACP and EOL decision making. RESULTS The review indicates that depression is associated with reduced compliance with treatment recommendations, and high anxiety may result in avoidance of difficult discussions involved in ACP and EOL decision making. Depression and anxiety are associated with increased decisional regret in the context of cancer treatment decision making, as well as a preference for passive (not active) decision making in an intensive care unit setting. Anxiety about death in patients with advanced cancer is associated with lower rates of completion of an advance directive or discussion of EOL wishes with the oncologist. Patients with advanced cancer and elevated anxiety report higher discordance between wanted versus received life-sustaining treatments, less trust in their physicians, and less comprehension of the information communicated by their physicians. CONCLUSION Anxiety and depression are commonly elevated among adults with advanced cancer and health care surrogates, and can result in less engagement and satisfaction with ACP, cancer treatment, and EOL decisions. We offer practical strategies and sample scripts for oncology care providers to use to reduce the effects of anxiety and depression in these contexts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joanna J. Arch
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, University of Colorado Cancer Center, Aurora, CO
| | - Emma E. Bright
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO
| | - Lauren B. Finkelstein
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO
| | - Regina M. Fink
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
- University of Colorado College of Nursing, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | | | | | - Jean S. Kutner
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Paladino J, Fromme EK, Kilpatrick L, Dingfield L, Teuteberg W, Bernacki R, Jackson V, Sanders JJ, Jacobsen J, Ritchie C, Mitchell S. Lessons Learned About System-Level Improvement in Serious Illness Communication: A Qualitative Study of Serious Illness Care Program Implementation in Five Health Systems. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf 2023; 49:620-633. [PMID: 37537096 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcjq.2023.06.013] [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: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Serious illness communication is a key element of high-quality care, but it is difficult to implement in practice. The Serious Illness Care Program (SICP) is a multifaceted intervention that contributes to more, earlier, and better serious illness conversations and improved patient outcomes. This qualitative study examined the organizational and implementation factors that influenced improvement in real-world contexts. METHODS The authors performed semistructured interviews of 30 health professionals at five health systems that adopted SICP as quality improvement initiatives to investigate the organizational and implementation factors that appeared to influence improvement. RESULTS After SICP implementation across the organizations studied, approximately 4,661 clinicians have been trained in serious illness communication and 56,712 patients had had an electronic health record (EHR)-documented serious illness conversation. Facilitators included (1) visible support from leaders, who financially invested in an implementation team and champions, expressed the importance of serious illness communication as an institutional priority, and created incentives for training and documenting serious illness conversations; (2) EHR and data infrastructure to foster performance improvement and accountability, including an accessible documentation template, a reporting system, and customized data feedback for clinicians; and (3) communication skills training and sustained support for clinicians to problem-solve communication challenges, reflect on communication experiences, and adapt the intervention. Inhibitors included leadership inaction, competing priorities and incentives, variable clinician acceptance of EHR and data tools, and inadequate support for clinicians after training. CONCLUSION Successful implementation appeared to rely on multilevel organizational strategies to prioritize, reward, and reinforce serious illness communication. The insights derived from this research may function as an organizational road map to guide implementation of SICP or related quality initiatives.
Collapse
|
14
|
Barton KS, Steineck A, Walsh CA, Lau N, O’Donnell MB, Rosenberg AR. "I won't get to live my life the way I planned it": A qualitative analysis of the experiences of adolescents and young adults with advanced cancer. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2023; 70:e30554. [PMID: 37438862 PMCID: PMC10566371 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30554] [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: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals with advanced cancer face complex challenges, including prognostic uncertainty and evolving goals of care. Despite the unique psychosocial support needs of adolescents and young adults (AYAs), few studies have specifically examined AYA perspectives of and experiences with advanced cancer. The objective of this study was to describe the experience, needs, and perspectives of pediatric AYAs with advanced cancer. PROCEDURE We invited English-speaking AYAs (age 14-25 years) who were receiving treatment for advanced cancer at our single tertiary pediatric cancer center to participate in semi-structured interviews. We used directed content analysis for codebook development and then applied in-depth thematic network analysis to describe their perspectives and experiences with advanced cancer. RESULTS A total of 32 AYAs (86% of approached) completed interviews. A slight majority were male (59%) and non-Hispanic White (56%). Most were diagnosed with leukemia/lymphoma, had recurrent disease (84%), and were a mean 53 months from initial diagnosis. Organizing themes of "not being able to beat this," "not wanting to miss out," and "living each day" generated the global theme "do I have a future?" "Making tough medical decisions," "adjusting life/plans/perspectives," and "decisions about dying" were organized into the global theme "those decisions … were really hard." "Feeling like there is no one to talk to," "being away from family and friends," and "feeling like a burden" generated the global theme "I felt very alone." CONCLUSIONS Pediatric AYAs with advanced cancer describe unique challenges. Psychological support interventions are needed to empower AYAs to navigate difficult decisions and to cope with isolation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Krysta S. Barton
- Biostatistics Epidemiology and Analytics for Research (BEAR) Core, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Angela Steineck
- MACC Fund Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin; Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Casey A. Walsh
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Clinical Research Division, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Nancy Lau
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Center for Child Health, Behavior & Development, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Maeve B. O’Donnell
- Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Center for Clinical & Translational Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Abby R. Rosenberg
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology & Palliative Care; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital; Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School; Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Toffart AC, Gonzalez F, Hamidfar-Roy R, Darrason M. [ICU admission for cancer patients with respiratory failure: An ethical dilemma]. Rev Mal Respir 2023; 40:692-699. [PMID: 37659881 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmr.2023.07.003] [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: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Abstract
In medicine, each decision is the result of a trade-off between medical scientific data, the rights of individuals (protection of persons, information, consent), individual desires, collective values and norms, and the economic constraints that guide our society. Whether or not to admit a cancer patient to an intensive care unit is very often an ethical dilemma. It is necessary to distinguish patients who would benefit from admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) from those for whom it would be futile. In this review, we will discuss the appropriateness of ICU admission and the concept of unreasonable admission, along with the different levels of intensity of ICU care and the alternatives to intensive care. We will then consider how and when to initiate reflection leading to a reasonable decision for the patient.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A-C Toffart
- Service hospitalo-universitaire de pneumologie et physiologie, pôle thorax et vaisseaux, centre hospitalier universitaire Grenoble Alpes, 38043 Grenoble cedex 9, France; Université Grenoble 1 U 823, institut pour l'avancée des biosciences, université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France.
| | - F Gonzalez
- Unité de réanimation, département anesthésie-réanimation, institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France
| | - R Hamidfar-Roy
- Service hospitalo-universitaire de pneumologie et physiologie, pôle thorax et vaisseaux, centre hospitalier universitaire Grenoble Alpes, 38043 Grenoble cedex 9, France
| | - M Darrason
- Service de pneumologie aiguë spécialisée et cancérologie thoracique, centre hospitalier Lyon Sud, Lyon, France; Institut de recherches philosophiques de Lyon, université Lyon 3, Lyon, France
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Wasp GT, Kaur-Gill S, Anderson EC, Vergo MT, Chelen J, Tosteson T, Barr PJ, Barnato AE. Evaluating Physician Emotion Regulation in Serious Illness Conversations Using Multimodal Assessment. J Pain Symptom Manage 2023; 66:351-360.e1. [PMID: 37433418 PMCID: PMC10574810 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2023.07.001] [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: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Emotion regulation by the physician can influence the effectiveness of serious illness conversations. The feasibility of multimodal assessment of emotion regulation during these conversations is unknown. OBJECTIVES To develop and assess an experimental framework for evaluating physician emotion regulation during serious illness conversations. METHODS We developed and then assessed a multimodal assessment framework for physician emotion regulation using a cross-sectional, pilot study on physicians trained in the Serious Illness Conversation Guide (SICG) in a simulated, telehealth encounter. Development of the assessment framework included a literature review and subject matter expert consultations. Our predefined feasibility endpoints included: an enrollment rate of ≥60% of approached physicians, >90% completion rate of survey items, and <20% missing data from wearable heart rate sensors. To describe physician emotion regulation, we performed a thematic analysis of the conversation, its documentation, and physician interviews. RESULTS Out of 12 physicians approached, 11 (92%) SICG-trained physicians enrolled in the study: five medical oncology and six palliative care physicians. All 11 completed the survey (100% completion rate). Two sensors (chest band, wrist sensor) had <20% missing data during study tasks. The forearm sensor had >20% missing data. The thematic analysis found that physicians': 1) overarching goal was to move beyond prognosis to reasonable hope; 2) tactically focused on establishing a trusting, supportive relationship; and 3) possessed incomplete awareness of their emotion regulation strategies. CONCLUSION Our novel, multimodal assessment of physician emotion regulation was feasible in a simulated SICG encounter. Physicians exhibited an incomplete understanding of their emotion regulation strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Garrett T Wasp
- Section of Oncology, Department of Medicine (G.T.W.), Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC), Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA; Dartmouth Cancer Center (DCC) (G.T.W., T.T., A.E.B.), Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC), Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA; The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice (G.T.W., S.K.G., J.C., P.J.B., A.E.B.), Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA.
| | - Satveer Kaur-Gill
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice (G.T.W., S.K.G., J.C., P.J.B., A.E.B.), Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Eric C Anderson
- Center for Interdisciplinary Population and Health Research (E.C.A), Maine Health Institute for Research, Portland, Maine, USA; Tufts University School of Medicine (E.C.A.), Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maxwell T Vergo
- Section of Palliative Care, Department of Medicine (M.T.V., A.E.B.), Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC), Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Julia Chelen
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice (G.T.W., S.K.G., J.C., P.J.B., A.E.B.), Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Tor Tosteson
- Dartmouth Cancer Center (DCC) (G.T.W., T.T., A.E.B.), Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC), Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA; Biomedical Data Science (T.T., P.J.B.), Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Paul J Barr
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice (G.T.W., S.K.G., J.C., P.J.B., A.E.B.), Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA; Biomedical Data Science (T.T., P.J.B.), Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA; Center for Technology and Behavioral Health (P.J.B.), Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Amber E Barnato
- Dartmouth Cancer Center (DCC) (G.T.W., T.T., A.E.B.), Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC), Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA; The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice (G.T.W., S.K.G., J.C., P.J.B., A.E.B.), Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA; Section of Palliative Care, Department of Medicine (M.T.V., A.E.B.), Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC), Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Cardona M, Lewis ET, Bannach-Brown A, Ip G, Tan J, Koreshe E, Head J, Lee JJ, Rangel S, Bublitz L, Forbes C, Murray A, Marechal-Ross I, Bathla N, Kusnadi R, Brown PG, Alkhouri H, Ticehurst M, Lovell NH. Development and preliminary usability testing of an electronic conversation guide incorporating patient values and prognostic information in preparation for older people's decision-making near the end of life. Internet Interv 2023; 33:100643. [PMID: 37521519 PMCID: PMC10382674 DOI: 10.1016/j.invent.2023.100643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Initiating end-of-life conversations can be daunting for clinicians and overwhelming for patients and families. This leads to delays in communicating prognosis and preparing for the inevitable in old age, often generating potentially harmful overtreatment and poor-quality deaths. We aimed to develop an electronic resource, called Communicating Health Alternatives Tool (CHAT) that was compatible with hospital medical records software to facilitate preparation for shared decision-making across health settings with older adults deemed to be in the last year of life. The project used mixed methods including: literature review, user-directed specifications, web-based interface development with authentication and authorization; clinician and consumer co-design, iterative consultation for user testing; and ongoing developer integration of user feedback. An internet-based conversation guide to facilitate clinician-led advance care planning was co-developed covering screening for short-term risk of death, patient values and preferences, and treatment choices for chronic kidney disease and dementia. Printed summary of such discussion could be used to begin the process in hospital or community health services. Clinicians, patients, and caregivers agreed with its ease of use and were generally accepting of its contents and format. CHAT is available to health services for implementation in effectiveness trials to determine whether the interaction and documentation leads to formal decision-making, goal-concordant care, and subsequent reduction of unwanted treatments at the end of life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Magnolia Cardona
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Robina, Australia
- Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Professorial Unit, Southport, Australia
| | - Ebony T. Lewis
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Alex Bannach-Brown
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Robina, Australia
| | - Genevieve Ip
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Janice Tan
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Eyza Koreshe
- InsideOut Institute, Faculty of Medicine & Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Joshua Head
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jin Jie Lee
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Shirley Rangel
- Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Professorial Unit, Southport, Australia
| | - Lorraine Bublitz
- Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Professorial Unit, Southport, Australia
| | - Connor Forbes
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Robina, Australia
| | - Amanda Murray
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Robina, Australia
| | - Isabella Marechal-Ross
- Northern Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nikita Bathla
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ruth Kusnadi
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Peter G. Brown
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Hatem Alkhouri
- Agency for Clinical Innovation, Emergency Care Institute, Chatswood, Australia
| | - Maree Ticehurst
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Mark Moran Aged Care, Little Bay, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nigel H. Lovell
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Paladino J, Sanders JJ, Fromme EK, Block S, Jacobsen JC, Jackson VA, Ritchie CS, Mitchell S. Improving serious illness communication: a qualitative study of clinical culture. BMC Palliat Care 2023; 22:104. [PMID: 37481530 PMCID: PMC10362669 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-023-01229-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Communication about patients' values, goals, and prognosis in serious illness (serious illness communication) is a cornerstone of person-centered care yet difficult to implement in practice. As part of Serious Illness Care Program implementation in five health systems, we studied the clinical culture-related factors that supported or impeded improvement in serious illness conversations. METHODS Qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews of clinical leaders, implementation teams, and frontline champions. RESULTS We completed 30 interviews across palliative care, oncology, primary care, and hospital medicine. Participants identified four culture-related domains that influenced serious illness communication improvement: (1) clinical paradigms; (2) interprofessional empowerment; (3) perceived conversation impact; (4) practice norms. Changes in clinicians' beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors in these domains supported values and goals conversations, including: shifting paradigms about serious illness communication from 'end-of-life planning' to 'knowing and honoring what matters most to patients;' improvements in psychological safety that empowered advanced practice clinicians, nurses and social workers to take expanded roles; experiencing benefits of earlier values and goals conversations; shifting from avoidant norms to integration norms in which earlier serious illness discussions became part of routine processes. Culture-related inhibitors included: beliefs that conversations are about dying or withdrawing care; attitudes that serious illness communication is the physician's job; discomfort managing emotions; lack of reliable processes. CONCLUSIONS Aspects of clinical culture, such as paradigms about serious illness communication and inter-professional empowerment, are linked to successful adoption of serious illness communication. Further research is warranted to identify effective strategies to enhance clinical culture and drive clinician practice change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Paladino
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Ariadne Labs, Joint Innovation Center at Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
- Mongan Institute Center for Aging and Serious Illness, Division of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA.
| | | | - Erik K Fromme
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Ariadne Labs, Joint Innovation Center at Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Susan Block
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Juliet C Jacobsen
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Vicki A Jackson
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christine S Ritchie
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Mongan Institute Center for Aging and Serious Illness, Division of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Detsky ME, Shin S, Fralick M, Munshi L, Kruser JM, Courtright KR, Lapointe-Shaw L, Tang T, Rawal S, Kwan JL, Weinerman A, Razak F, Verma AA. Using the Hospital Frailty Risk Score to assess mortality risk in older medical patients admitted to the intensive care unit. CMAJ Open 2023; 11:E607-E614. [PMID: 37402555 DOI: 10.9778/cmajo.20220094] [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: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prognostic information at the time of hospital discharge can help guide goals-of-care discussions for future care. We sought to assess the association between the Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS), which may highlight patients' risk of adverse outcomes at the time of hospital discharge, and in-hospital death among patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) within 12 months of a previous hospital discharge. METHODS We conducted a multicentre retrospective cohort study that included patients aged 75 years or older admitted at least twice over a 12-month period to the general medicine service at 7 academic centres and large community-based teaching hospitals in Toronto and Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, from Apr. 1, 2010, to Dec. 31, 2019. The HFRS (categorized as low, moderate or high frailty risk) was calculated at the time of discharge from the first hospital admission. Outcomes included ICU admission and death during the second hospital admission. RESULTS The cohort included 22 178 patients, of whom 1767 (8.0%) were categorized as having high frailty risk, 9464 (42.7%) as having moderate frailty risk, and 10 947 (49.4%) as having low frailty risk. One hundred patients (5.7%) with high frailty risk were admitted to the ICU, compared to 566 (6.0%) of those with moderate risk and 790 (7.2%) of those with low risk. After adjustment for age, sex, hospital, day of admission, time of admission and Laboratory-based Acute Physiology Score, the odds of ICU admission were not significantly different for patients with high (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.78 to 1.23) or moderate (adjusted OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.09) frailty risk compared to those with low frailty risk. Among patients admitted to the ICU, 75 (75.0%) of those with high frailty risk died, compared to 317 (56.0%) of those with moderate risk and 416 (52.7%) of those with low risk. After multivariable adjustment, the risk of death after ICU admission was higher for patients with high frailty risk than for those with low frailty risk (adjusted OR 2.86, 95% CI 1.77 to 4.77). INTERPRETATION Among patients readmitted to hospital within 12 months, patients with high frailty risk were similarly likely as those with lower frailty risk to be admitted to the ICU but were more likely to die if admitted to ICU. The HFRS at hospital discharge can inform prognosis, which can help guide discussions for preferences for ICU care during future hospital stays.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael E Detsky
- Department of Medicine (Detsky, Fralick, Munshi, Kwan), Sinai Health System; Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine (Detsky, Munshi), University of Toronto; Department of Medicine (Detsky, Fralick, Munshi, Lapointe-Shaw, Tang, Kwan, Weinerman, Verma), University of Toronto; Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute (Shin, Razak, Verma), St. Michael's Hospital; Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care (Kruser), Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisc.; Department of Medicine (Courtright) and Palliative and Advanced Illness Research Center (Courtright), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.; Division of General Internal Medicine (Lapointe-Shaw, Rawal), University Health Network, Toronto, Ont.; Trillium Health Partners (Tang), Mississauga, Ont.; Department of Medicine (Weinerman), Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre; Department of Medicine (Razak, Verma), St. Michael's Hospital; Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (Razak, Verma), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.
| | - Saeha Shin
- Department of Medicine (Detsky, Fralick, Munshi, Kwan), Sinai Health System; Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine (Detsky, Munshi), University of Toronto; Department of Medicine (Detsky, Fralick, Munshi, Lapointe-Shaw, Tang, Kwan, Weinerman, Verma), University of Toronto; Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute (Shin, Razak, Verma), St. Michael's Hospital; Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care (Kruser), Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisc.; Department of Medicine (Courtright) and Palliative and Advanced Illness Research Center (Courtright), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.; Division of General Internal Medicine (Lapointe-Shaw, Rawal), University Health Network, Toronto, Ont.; Trillium Health Partners (Tang), Mississauga, Ont.; Department of Medicine (Weinerman), Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre; Department of Medicine (Razak, Verma), St. Michael's Hospital; Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (Razak, Verma), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Michael Fralick
- Department of Medicine (Detsky, Fralick, Munshi, Kwan), Sinai Health System; Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine (Detsky, Munshi), University of Toronto; Department of Medicine (Detsky, Fralick, Munshi, Lapointe-Shaw, Tang, Kwan, Weinerman, Verma), University of Toronto; Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute (Shin, Razak, Verma), St. Michael's Hospital; Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care (Kruser), Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisc.; Department of Medicine (Courtright) and Palliative and Advanced Illness Research Center (Courtright), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.; Division of General Internal Medicine (Lapointe-Shaw, Rawal), University Health Network, Toronto, Ont.; Trillium Health Partners (Tang), Mississauga, Ont.; Department of Medicine (Weinerman), Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre; Department of Medicine (Razak, Verma), St. Michael's Hospital; Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (Razak, Verma), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Laveena Munshi
- Department of Medicine (Detsky, Fralick, Munshi, Kwan), Sinai Health System; Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine (Detsky, Munshi), University of Toronto; Department of Medicine (Detsky, Fralick, Munshi, Lapointe-Shaw, Tang, Kwan, Weinerman, Verma), University of Toronto; Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute (Shin, Razak, Verma), St. Michael's Hospital; Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care (Kruser), Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisc.; Department of Medicine (Courtright) and Palliative and Advanced Illness Research Center (Courtright), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.; Division of General Internal Medicine (Lapointe-Shaw, Rawal), University Health Network, Toronto, Ont.; Trillium Health Partners (Tang), Mississauga, Ont.; Department of Medicine (Weinerman), Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre; Department of Medicine (Razak, Verma), St. Michael's Hospital; Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (Razak, Verma), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Jacqueline M Kruser
- Department of Medicine (Detsky, Fralick, Munshi, Kwan), Sinai Health System; Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine (Detsky, Munshi), University of Toronto; Department of Medicine (Detsky, Fralick, Munshi, Lapointe-Shaw, Tang, Kwan, Weinerman, Verma), University of Toronto; Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute (Shin, Razak, Verma), St. Michael's Hospital; Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care (Kruser), Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisc.; Department of Medicine (Courtright) and Palliative and Advanced Illness Research Center (Courtright), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.; Division of General Internal Medicine (Lapointe-Shaw, Rawal), University Health Network, Toronto, Ont.; Trillium Health Partners (Tang), Mississauga, Ont.; Department of Medicine (Weinerman), Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre; Department of Medicine (Razak, Verma), St. Michael's Hospital; Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (Razak, Verma), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Katherine R Courtright
- Department of Medicine (Detsky, Fralick, Munshi, Kwan), Sinai Health System; Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine (Detsky, Munshi), University of Toronto; Department of Medicine (Detsky, Fralick, Munshi, Lapointe-Shaw, Tang, Kwan, Weinerman, Verma), University of Toronto; Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute (Shin, Razak, Verma), St. Michael's Hospital; Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care (Kruser), Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisc.; Department of Medicine (Courtright) and Palliative and Advanced Illness Research Center (Courtright), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.; Division of General Internal Medicine (Lapointe-Shaw, Rawal), University Health Network, Toronto, Ont.; Trillium Health Partners (Tang), Mississauga, Ont.; Department of Medicine (Weinerman), Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre; Department of Medicine (Razak, Verma), St. Michael's Hospital; Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (Razak, Verma), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Lauren Lapointe-Shaw
- Department of Medicine (Detsky, Fralick, Munshi, Kwan), Sinai Health System; Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine (Detsky, Munshi), University of Toronto; Department of Medicine (Detsky, Fralick, Munshi, Lapointe-Shaw, Tang, Kwan, Weinerman, Verma), University of Toronto; Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute (Shin, Razak, Verma), St. Michael's Hospital; Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care (Kruser), Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisc.; Department of Medicine (Courtright) and Palliative and Advanced Illness Research Center (Courtright), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.; Division of General Internal Medicine (Lapointe-Shaw, Rawal), University Health Network, Toronto, Ont.; Trillium Health Partners (Tang), Mississauga, Ont.; Department of Medicine (Weinerman), Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre; Department of Medicine (Razak, Verma), St. Michael's Hospital; Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (Razak, Verma), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Terence Tang
- Department of Medicine (Detsky, Fralick, Munshi, Kwan), Sinai Health System; Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine (Detsky, Munshi), University of Toronto; Department of Medicine (Detsky, Fralick, Munshi, Lapointe-Shaw, Tang, Kwan, Weinerman, Verma), University of Toronto; Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute (Shin, Razak, Verma), St. Michael's Hospital; Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care (Kruser), Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisc.; Department of Medicine (Courtright) and Palliative and Advanced Illness Research Center (Courtright), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.; Division of General Internal Medicine (Lapointe-Shaw, Rawal), University Health Network, Toronto, Ont.; Trillium Health Partners (Tang), Mississauga, Ont.; Department of Medicine (Weinerman), Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre; Department of Medicine (Razak, Verma), St. Michael's Hospital; Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (Razak, Verma), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Shail Rawal
- Department of Medicine (Detsky, Fralick, Munshi, Kwan), Sinai Health System; Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine (Detsky, Munshi), University of Toronto; Department of Medicine (Detsky, Fralick, Munshi, Lapointe-Shaw, Tang, Kwan, Weinerman, Verma), University of Toronto; Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute (Shin, Razak, Verma), St. Michael's Hospital; Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care (Kruser), Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisc.; Department of Medicine (Courtright) and Palliative and Advanced Illness Research Center (Courtright), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.; Division of General Internal Medicine (Lapointe-Shaw, Rawal), University Health Network, Toronto, Ont.; Trillium Health Partners (Tang), Mississauga, Ont.; Department of Medicine (Weinerman), Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre; Department of Medicine (Razak, Verma), St. Michael's Hospital; Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (Razak, Verma), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Janice L Kwan
- Department of Medicine (Detsky, Fralick, Munshi, Kwan), Sinai Health System; Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine (Detsky, Munshi), University of Toronto; Department of Medicine (Detsky, Fralick, Munshi, Lapointe-Shaw, Tang, Kwan, Weinerman, Verma), University of Toronto; Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute (Shin, Razak, Verma), St. Michael's Hospital; Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care (Kruser), Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisc.; Department of Medicine (Courtright) and Palliative and Advanced Illness Research Center (Courtright), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.; Division of General Internal Medicine (Lapointe-Shaw, Rawal), University Health Network, Toronto, Ont.; Trillium Health Partners (Tang), Mississauga, Ont.; Department of Medicine (Weinerman), Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre; Department of Medicine (Razak, Verma), St. Michael's Hospital; Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (Razak, Verma), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Adina Weinerman
- Department of Medicine (Detsky, Fralick, Munshi, Kwan), Sinai Health System; Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine (Detsky, Munshi), University of Toronto; Department of Medicine (Detsky, Fralick, Munshi, Lapointe-Shaw, Tang, Kwan, Weinerman, Verma), University of Toronto; Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute (Shin, Razak, Verma), St. Michael's Hospital; Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care (Kruser), Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisc.; Department of Medicine (Courtright) and Palliative and Advanced Illness Research Center (Courtright), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.; Division of General Internal Medicine (Lapointe-Shaw, Rawal), University Health Network, Toronto, Ont.; Trillium Health Partners (Tang), Mississauga, Ont.; Department of Medicine (Weinerman), Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre; Department of Medicine (Razak, Verma), St. Michael's Hospital; Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (Razak, Verma), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Fahad Razak
- Department of Medicine (Detsky, Fralick, Munshi, Kwan), Sinai Health System; Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine (Detsky, Munshi), University of Toronto; Department of Medicine (Detsky, Fralick, Munshi, Lapointe-Shaw, Tang, Kwan, Weinerman, Verma), University of Toronto; Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute (Shin, Razak, Verma), St. Michael's Hospital; Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care (Kruser), Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisc.; Department of Medicine (Courtright) and Palliative and Advanced Illness Research Center (Courtright), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.; Division of General Internal Medicine (Lapointe-Shaw, Rawal), University Health Network, Toronto, Ont.; Trillium Health Partners (Tang), Mississauga, Ont.; Department of Medicine (Weinerman), Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre; Department of Medicine (Razak, Verma), St. Michael's Hospital; Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (Razak, Verma), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Amol A Verma
- Department of Medicine (Detsky, Fralick, Munshi, Kwan), Sinai Health System; Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine (Detsky, Munshi), University of Toronto; Department of Medicine (Detsky, Fralick, Munshi, Lapointe-Shaw, Tang, Kwan, Weinerman, Verma), University of Toronto; Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute (Shin, Razak, Verma), St. Michael's Hospital; Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care (Kruser), Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisc.; Department of Medicine (Courtright) and Palliative and Advanced Illness Research Center (Courtright), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.; Division of General Internal Medicine (Lapointe-Shaw, Rawal), University Health Network, Toronto, Ont.; Trillium Health Partners (Tang), Mississauga, Ont.; Department of Medicine (Weinerman), Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre; Department of Medicine (Razak, Verma), St. Michael's Hospital; Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (Razak, Verma), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Silva CMD, Germano JN, Costa AKDA, Gennari GA, Caruso P, Nassar AP. Association of appropriateness for ICU admission with resource use, organ support and long-term survival in critically ill cancer patients. Intern Emerg Med 2023; 18:1191-1201. [PMID: 36800071 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-023-03216-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
We aimed to evaluate the characteristics, resource use and outcomes of critically ill patients with cancer according to appropriateness of ICU admission. This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with cancer admitted to ICU from January 2017 to December 2018. Patients were classified as appropriate, potentially inappropriate, or inappropriate for ICU admission according to the Society of Critical Care Medicine guidelines. The primary outcome was ICU length of stay (LOS). Secondary outcomes were one-year, ICU, and hospital mortality, hospital LOS and utilization of ICU organ support. We used logistic regression and competing risk models accounting for relevant confounders in primary outcome analyses. From 6700 admitted patients, 5803 (86.6%) were classified as appropriate, 683 (10.2%) as potentially inappropriate and 214 (3.2%) as inappropriate for ICU admission. Potentially inappropriate and inappropriate ICU admissions had lower likelihood of being discharged from the ICU than patients with appropriate ICU admission (sHR 0.55, 95% CI 0.49-0.61 and sHR 0.65, 95% CI 0.53-0.81, respectively), and were associated with higher 1-year mortality (OR 6.39, 95% CI 5.60-7.29 and OR 11.12, 95% CI 8.33-14.83, respectively). Among patients with appropriate, potentially inappropriate, and inappropriate ICU admissions, ICU mortality was 4.8%, 32.6% and 35.0%, and in-hospital mortality was 12.2%, 71.6% and 81.3%, respectively (p < 0.01). Use of organ support was more common and longer among patients with potentially inappropriate ICU admission. The findings of our study suggest that inappropriateness for ICU admission among patients with cancer was associated with higher resource use in ICU and higher one-year mortality among ICU survivors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carla Marchini Dias Silva
- Intensive Care Unit, A.C.Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Intensive Care Unit, Hospital Vila Nova Star, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | | | | | - Giovanna Alves Gennari
- A.C.Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil
- Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Pedro Caruso
- Intensive Care Unit, A.C.Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil
- Pulmonary Division, Heart Institute (InCor), Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Gray TF, Plotke R, Heuer L, Topping CE, Nipp RD, Wang AC, Gasca Banda J, Greer JA, Temel JS, El-Jawahri A. Perceptions of prognosis and end-of-life care outcomes in patients with advanced lung and gastrointestinal cancer. Palliat Med 2023; 37:740-748. [PMID: 36802979 DOI: 10.1177/02692163231155511] [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] [Indexed: 02/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many patients with advanced cancer have misperceptions of their prognosis, which may impact end-of-life decision-making. Data regarding associations between prognostic perceptions over time and end-of-life care outcomes are lacking. AIM To describe patients' perceptions of their prognosis with advanced cancer and examine associations between these perceptions and end-of-life care outcomes. DESIGN Secondary analysis of longitudinal data from a randomized controlled trial of a palliative care intervention for patients with newly diagnosed incurable cancer. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS Conducted at an outpatient cancer center in the northeastern United States and patients were within 8 weeks of a diagnosis with incurable lung or non-colorectal gastrointestinal cancer. RESULTS We enrolled 350 patients in the parent trial, of which 80.5% (281/350) died during the study period. Overall, 59.4% (164/276) of patients reported they were terminally ill, and 66.1% (154/233) reported that their cancer was likely curable at the assessment closest to death. Patient acknowledgment of terminal illness was only associated with lower risk of hospitalizations in the last 30 days of life (OR = 0.52, p = 0.025). Patients who reported their cancer as likely curable were less likely to utilize hospice (OR = 0.25, p = 0.002) or die at home (OR = 0.56, p = 0.043), and they were more likely to be hospitalized in the last 30 days of life (OR = 2.28, p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS Patients' perceptions of their prognosis are associated with important end-of-life care outcomes. Interventions are needed to enhance patients' perceptions of their prognosis and optimize their end-of-life care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tamryn F Gray
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rachel Plotke
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lauren Heuer
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Ryan D Nipp
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Annie C Wang
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Joseph A Greer
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer S Temel
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Areej El-Jawahri
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Kolla L, Chen J, Parikh RB. Time of Clinic Appointment and Serious Illness Communication in Oncology. Cancer Control 2023; 30:10732748231170488. [PMID: 37071969 PMCID: PMC10126780 DOI: 10.1177/10732748231170488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Serious illness communication in oncology increases goal concordant care. Factors associated with the frequency of serious illness conversations are not well understood. Given prior evidence of the association between suboptimal decision-making and clinic time, we aimed to investigate the relationship between appointment time and the likelihood of serious illness conversations in oncology. METHODS We conducted a retrospective study of electronic health record data from 55 367 patient encounters between June 2019 to April 2020, using generalized estimating equations to model the likelihood of a serious illness conversation across clinic time. RESULTS Documentation rate decreased from 2.1 to 1.5% in the morning clinic session (8am-12pm) and from 1.2% to .9% in the afternoon clinic session (1pm-4pm). Adjusted odds ratios for Serious illness conversations documentation rates were significantly lower for all hours of each session after the earliest hour (adjusted odds ratios .91 [95% CI, .84-.97], P = .006 for overall linear trend). CONCLUSIONS Serious illness conversations between oncologists and patients decrease considerably through the clinic day, and proactive strategies to avoid missed conversations should be investigated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Likhitha Kolla
- Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jinbo Chen
- Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ravi B Parikh
- Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Rosa WE, Izumi S, Sullivan DR, Lakin J, Rosenberg AR, Creutzfeldt CJ, Lafond D, Tjia J, Cotter V, Wallace C, Sloan DE, Cruz-Oliver DM, DeSanto-Madeya S, Bernacki R, Leblanc TW, Epstein AS. Advance Care Planning in Serious Illness: A Narrative Review. J Pain Symptom Manage 2023; 65:e63-e78. [PMID: 36028176 PMCID: PMC9884468 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2022.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Advance care planning (ACP) intends to support person-centered medical decision-making by eliciting patient preferences. Research has not identified significant associations between ACP and goal-concordant end-of-life care, leading to justified scientific debate regarding ACP utility. OBJECTIVE To delineate ACP's potential benefits and missed opportunities and identify an evidence-informed, clinically relevant path ahead for ACP in serious illness. METHODS We conducted a narrative review merging the best available ACP empirical data, grey literature, and emergent scholarly discourse using a snowball search of PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar (2000-2022). Findings were informed by our team's interprofessional clinical and research expertise in serious illness care. RESULTS Early ACP practices were largely tied to mandated document completion, potentially failing to capture the holistic preferences of patients and surrogates. ACP models focused on serious illness communication rather than documentation show promising patient and clinician results. Ideally, ACP would lead to goal-concordant care even amid the unpredictability of serious illness trajectories. But ACP might also provide a false sense of security that patients' wishes will be honored and revisited at end-of-life. An iterative, 'building block' framework to integrate ACP throughout serious illness is provided alongside clinical practice, research, and policy recommendations. CONCLUSIONS We advocate a balanced approach to ACP, recognizing empirical deficits while acknowledging potential benefits and ethical imperatives (e.g., fostering clinician-patient trust and shared decision-making). We support prioritizing patient/surrogate-centered outcomes with more robust measures to account for interpersonal clinician-patient variables that likely inform ACP efficacy and may better evaluate information gleaned during serious illness encounters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William E Rosa
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (W.E.R.), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.
| | - Shigeko Izumi
- School of Nursing (S.I.), Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Donald R Sullivan
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (D.R.S.), School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Joshua Lakin
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care (J.L., R.B.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Abby R Rosenberg
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics (A.R.R.), University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington; Palliative Care and Resilience Lab (A.R.R.), Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - Debbie Lafond
- Pediatric and Neonatal Needs Advanced (PANDA) Education Consultants (D.L.)
| | - Jennifer Tjia
- Chan Medical School, University of Massachusetts (J.T.), Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Valerie Cotter
- School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University (V.C.), Baltimore, Maryland; School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University (V.C.), Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Cara Wallace
- College for Public Health and Social Justice (C.W.), Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Danetta E Sloan
- Department of Health (D.E.S.), Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Dulce Maria Cruz-Oliver
- Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology (D.M.C.O.), Beacham Center for Geriatric Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | - Rachelle Bernacki
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care (J.L., R.B.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Thomas W Leblanc
- Department of Medicine (T.W.L.), Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Andrew S Epstein
- Department of Medicine (A.S.E.), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Chen W, Chung JOK, Lam KKW, Molassiotis A. End-of-life communication strategies for healthcare professionals: A scoping review. Palliat Med 2023; 37:61-74. [PMID: 36349371 DOI: 10.1177/02692163221133670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Timely and effective communication about end-of-life issues, including conversations about prognosis and goals of care, are extremely beneficial to terminally ill patients and their families. However, given the context, healthcare professionals may find it challenging to initiate and facilitate such conversations. Hence, it is critical to improving the available communication strategies to enhance end-of-life communication practices. AIM To summarise the end-of-life communication strategies recommended for healthcare professionals, identify research gaps and inform future research. DESIGN A scoping review performed in accordance with the Arksey and O'Malley framework. DATA SOURCES A literature search was conducted between January 1990 and January 2022 using PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases and Google, Google Scholar and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. Studies that described recommended end-of-life communication strategies for healthcare professionals were included. RESULTS Fifty-nine documents were included. Seven themes of communication strategies were found: (a) preparation; (b) exploration and assessment; (c) family involvement; (d) provision and tailoring of information; (e) empathic emotional responses; (f) reframing and revisiting the goals of care; and (g) conversation closure. CONCLUSIONS The themes of communication strategies found in this review provide a framework to integrally promote end-of-life communication. Our results will help inform healthcare professionals, thereby promoting the development of specialised training and education on end-of-life communication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weilin Chen
- School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Joyce Oi Kwan Chung
- School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Katherine Ka Wai Lam
- School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Alex Molassiotis
- School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Health and Social Care Research Centre, University of Derby, Derby, UK
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Sisk BA, Keenan MA, Schulz GL, Bakitas M, Currie ER, Gilbertson-White S, Lindley LC, Roeland EJ, Mack JW. Bereaved Caregivers Perspectives of Negative Communication Experiences Near the End of Life for Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol 2022; 11:498-505. [PMID: 34870475 PMCID: PMC9595604 DOI: 10.1089/jayao.2021.0154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: High-quality communication is a standard of palliative care for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer. Yet, few studies have characterized the negative communication experiences of AYAs near the end of life (EOL). Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of 27 qualitative interviews with bereaved caregivers of AYAs with cancer who died between 2013 and 2016 at 1 of 3 sites. Interviews focused on barriers to optimal EOL care for AYAs. We used thematic analysis using iterative consensus coding to analyze transcripts. Results: Participants were predominantly white (85%), non-Hispanic (93%), and female (74%). Half of the participants were bereaved parents, and 37% were bereaved partners or spouses. Overall, 23/27 (85%) caregivers described at least one negative communication experience related to one of three themes: (1) Insensitivity to patients' needs, preferences, and values; (2) Insufficient discussions of prognosis and/or EOL; and (3) Loss of support from the clinical team near EOL. Both clinician- and patient-related factors contributed to limited EOL discussions. Lack of care continuity related to both clinician factors and systems of care that required new or changing clinical care teams near the EOL. Conclusions: Caregivers report a desire for clinician sensitivity to their needs and values, information about the future, and longitudinal connections with individual clinicians. Clinicians might improve caregivers' EOL experiences by eliciting patient preferences, engaging in EOL discussions, adapting to the AYA's developmental and emotional needs, and demonstrating a commitment to AYAs and caregivers as they approach the EOL.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bryan A. Sisk
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Medicine, Bioethics Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Megan A. Keenan
- Department of Medicine, Bioethics Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Brown School of Social Work, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Ginny L. Schulz
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Marie Bakitas
- School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Erin R. Currie
- School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | | | - Lisa C. Lindley
- College of Nursing, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Eric J. Roeland
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Jennifer W. Mack
- Pediatric Oncology and Division of Population Sciences, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Voicing their choices: Advance care planning with adolescents and young adults with cancer and other serious conditions. Palliat Support Care 2022; 20:462-470. [PMID: 35876450 PMCID: PMC9315053 DOI: 10.1017/s1478951521001462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine whether engaging in advance care planning (ACP) using a formal tool, Voicing My CHOiCES (VMC), would alleviate adolescent and young adults (AYAs) anxiety surrounding ACP and increase social support and communication about end-of-life care preferences with family members and health care providers (HCPs). METHODS A total of 149 AYAs aged 18-39 years receiving cancer-directed therapy or treatment for another chronic medical illness were enrolled at seven US sites. Baseline data included prior ACP communication with family members and HCPs and measures of generalized anxiety, ACP anxiety, and social support. Participants critically reviewed each page of VMC and then completed three pages of the document. ACP anxiety was measured again immediately after the completion of VMC pages. One month later, participants repeated anxiety and social support measures and were asked if they shared what they had completed in VMC with a family member or HCP. RESULTS At baseline, 50.3% of participants reported that they previously had a conversation about EoL preferences with a family member; 19.5% with an HCP. One month later, 65.1% had subsequently shared what they wrote in VMC with a family member; 8.9% shared with an HCP. Most (88.6%) reported they would not have had this conversation if not participating in the study. No significant changes occurred in social support. There was an immediate drop in anxiety about EoL planning after reviewing VMC which persisted at 1 month. Generalized anxiety was also significantly lower 1 month after reviewing VMC. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS Having a document specifically created for AYAs to guide ACP planning can decrease anxiety and increase communication with family members but not necessarily with HCPs. Future research should examine ways ACP can be introduced more consistently to this young population to allow their preferences for care to be heard, respected, and honored, particularly by their healthcare providers.
Collapse
|
27
|
Chong A, Witherspoon E, Honig B, Ela E, Cavanagh H, Strawbridge L. Reflections on the Oncology Care Model and Looking Ahead to the Enhancing Oncology Model. JCO Oncol Pract 2022; 18:685-690. [DOI: 10.1200/op.22.00329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Chong
- Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, Baltimore, MD
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Baltimore, MD
| | - Eileen Witherspoon
- Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, Baltimore, MD
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Baltimore, MD
| | - Batsheva Honig
- Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, Baltimore, MD
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Baltimore, MD
| | - Elizabeth Ela
- Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, Baltimore, MD
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Baltimore, MD
| | - Hillary Cavanagh
- Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, Baltimore, MD
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Baltimore, MD
| | - Lara Strawbridge
- Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, Baltimore, MD
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Baltimore, MD
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
How technology can improve communication and health outcomes in patients with advanced cancer: an integrative review. Support Care Cancer 2022; 30:6525-6543. [PMID: 35411467 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-022-07037-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Patients facing an advanced cancer diagnosis require clear communication with their clinicians. Technology has been utilized in many different capacities to navigate communication in cancer care, but few authors examine the specific areas of communication from a theoretical perspective. The purpose of this literature review was to (1) identify articles focused on technology-based communication strategies to improve health outcomes in individuals with advanced cancer, and (2) using Epstein and Street's framework, identify areas in which technology-based communication has been used to improve health outcomes, and (3) identify gaps that exist in technology-based communication care in patients with advanced cancer. METHODS A systematic search was conducted which returned 446 articles. Using Epstein and Street's 2007 framework, the final sample was 39. RESULTS Nine clinical trials, 29 observational studies, and 1 case study were identified. The articles were categorized into one area within Epstein and Street's areas of communication. Many of the articles examined the patient's and provider's acceptability and feasibility of technology-based methods of communication, while other articles examined their efficacy. CONCLUSIONS While research studies were identified in each of the areas of communication, the majority of technology-based communication strategies were focused on the exchange of information between patients and their providers. Further research and the development of technology-based communication interventions assessed through clinical trials are needed in the areas of healing relationships and making decisions in cancer care. Additionally, the communication strategies found effective at improving health outcomes in advanced cancer should begin implementation into clinical practice, therefore reaching more patients.
Collapse
|
29
|
Shah C, Chahal K, Chani A, Kotwal T. Comment on: Broaching goals-of-care conversations in advancing pediatric cancer. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2022; 69:e29385. [PMID: 34608733 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.29385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chirag Shah
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Kayden Chahal
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Ashni Chani
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Tejas Kotwal
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Crooms RC, Johnson MO, Leeper H, Mehta A, McWhirter M, Sharma A. Easing the Journey-an Updated Review of Palliative Care for the Patient with High-Grade Glioma. Curr Oncol Rep 2022; 24:501-515. [PMID: 35192120 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-022-01210-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW High-grade gliomas (HGG) are rare brain tumors that cause disproportionate suffering and mortality. Palliative care, whose aim is to relieve the symptoms and stressors of serious illness, may benefit patients with HGG and their families. In this review, we summarize the extant literature and provide recommendations for addressing the symptom management and communication needs of brain tumor patients and their caregivers at key points in the illness trajectory: initial diagnosis; during upfront treatment; disease recurrence; end-of-life period; and after death during bereavement. RECENT FINDINGS Patients with HGG experience highly intrusive symptoms, cognitive and functional decline, and emotional and existential distress throughout the disease course. The caregiver burden is also substantial during the patient's illness and after death. There is limited evidence to guide the palliative management of these issues. Palliative care is likely to benefit patients with HGG, yet further research is needed to optimize the delivery of palliative care in neuro-oncology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rita C Crooms
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1468 Madison Ave, 1052, NY, 10029, New York, USA.,Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Margaret O Johnson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Trent Drive 047 Baker House, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.,The Preston Robert Tirsch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Trent Drive 047 Baker House, NC, 27710, Durham, USA
| | - Heather Leeper
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, 9030 Old Georgetown Rd, Bloch Bldg 82, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Ambereen Mehta
- Palliative Care Program, Division of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, 21224, MD, USA.,Division of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, 21224, MD, USA
| | - Michelle McWhirter
- Palliative Care Program, Division of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, 21224, MD, USA.,Department of Social Work, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, 21224, MD, USA
| | - Akanksha Sharma
- Department of Translational Neurosciences, Pacific Neuroscience Institute/Saint John's Cancer Institute, 2200 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Wasp GT, Knutzen KE, Murray GF, Brody-Bizar OC, Liu MA, Pollak KI, Tulsky JA, Schenker Y, Barnato AE. Systemic Therapy Decision Making in Advanced Cancer: A Qualitative Analysis of Patient-Oncologist Encounters. JCO Oncol Pract 2021; 18:e1357-e1366. [PMID: 34855459 PMCID: PMC9377707 DOI: 10.1200/op.21.00377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We sought to characterize patient-oncologist communication and decision making about continuing or limiting systemic therapy in encounters after an initial consultation, with a particular focus on whether and how oncologists foster shared decision making (SDM). METHODS We performed content analysis of outpatient oncology encounters at two US National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers audio recorded between November 2010 and September 2014. A multidisciplinary team used a hybrid approach of inductive and deductive coding and theme development. We used a combination of random and purposive sampling. We restricted quantitative frequency counts to the coded random sample but included all sampled encounters in qualitative thematic analysis. RESULTS Among 31 randomly sampled dyads with three encounters each, systemic therapy decision making was discussed in 90% (84 of 93) encounters. Thirty-four (37%) broached limiting therapy, which 27 (79%) framed as temporary, nine (26%) as completion of a standard regimen, and five (15%) as permanent discontinuation. Thematic analysis of these 93 encounters, plus five encounters purposively sampled for permanent discontinuation, found that (1) patients and oncologists framed continuing therapy as the default, (2) deficiencies in the SDM process (facilitating choice awareness, discussing options, and incorporating patient preferences) contributed to this default, and (3) oncologists use persuasion rather than deliberation when broaching discontinuation. CONCLUSION In this study of outpatient encounters between patients with advanced cancer and their oncologists, when discussing systemic therapy, there exists a default to continue systemic therapy, and deficiencies in SDM contribute to this default.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Garrett T Wasp
- Section of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH.,Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH
| | - Kristin E Knutzen
- Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Genevra F Murray
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA
| | | | - Matthew A Liu
- University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA
| | | | - James A Tulsky
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA.,Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Yael Schenker
- Palliative Research Center (PaRC), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Amber E Barnato
- Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH.,The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH.,Section of Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Bhatia V, Geidner R, Mirchandani K, Huang Y, Warraich HJ. Systemwide Advance Care Planning During the Covid-19 Pandemic: The Impact on Patient Outcomes and Cost. NEJM CATALYST 2021. [PMCID: PMC8372989 DOI: 10.1056/cat.21.0188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
WellSpan Health, an integrated system of eight hospitals and more than 170 outpatient locations, adopted a systemwide approach to implement team-based advance care planning (ACP) processes and during the pandemic created a remote response team to help high-risk patients with Covid-19 with ACP. The authors analyzed ICU use and costs for 356 patients who died of Covid-19 after being admitted to WellSpan hospitals. They compared patients who had completed ACP prior to hospitalization (53%) with those who had not (47%). While the patients who completed the ACP process were older than those who did not (79 vs. 73 years) and had greater acuity (LACE + score 71 vs. 65; LACE is a mnemonic representing a composite score, where L stands for length of stay, A for acuity, C for comorbidities and E for emergency department visits within last 6 months), they were less likely to use the ICU (62% vs. 78%) and accrued 25% lower costs whether they received ICU care or not. Systematic ACP, leading to proactive decision-making for treatment preferences by patients and their family members, can reduce unwanted medical interventions and the cost of care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vipul Bhatia
- Medical Director, Continuing Care Services, WellSpan Health, York, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Roberta Geidner
- Manager, Horizon/Advance Care Planning, WellSpan Health, York, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Yue Huang
- Senior Data Analyst, WellSpan Health, York, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Haider J. Warraich
- Associate Director, Heart Failure Program, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Associate Physician, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|