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van der Velden NCA, Smets EMA, van Vliet LM, Brom L, van Laarhoven HWM, Henselmans I. Effects of Prognostic Communication Strategies on Prognostic Perceptions, Treatment Decisions and End-Of-Life Anticipation in Advanced Cancer: An Experimental Study among Analogue Patients. J Pain Symptom Manage 2024; 67:478-489.e13. [PMID: 38428696 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2024.02.563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT Evidence-based guidance for oncologists on how to communicate prognosis is scarce. OBJECTIVES To investigate the effects of prognostic communication strategies (prognostic disclosure vs. communication of unpredictability vs. non-disclosure; standard vs. standard and best-case vs. standard, best- and worst-case survival scenarios; numerical vs. word-based estimates) on prognostic perceptions, treatment decision-making and end-of-life anticipation in advanced cancer. METHODS This experimental study used eight videos of a scripted oncological consultation, varying only in prognostic communication strategies. Cancer-naive individuals, who imagined being the depicted patient, completed surveys before and after watching one video (n = 1036). RESULTS Individuals generally perceived dying within 1 year as more likely after prognostic disclosure, compared to communication of unpredictability or non-disclosure (P < 0.001), and after numerical versus word-based estimates (P < 0.001). Individuals felt better informed about prognosis to decide about treatment after prognostic disclosure, compared to communication of unpredictability or non-disclosure (P < 0.001); after communication of unpredictability versus non-disclosure (P < 0.001); and after numerical versus word-based estimates (P = 0.017). Chemotherapy was more often favored after prognostic disclosure versus non-disclosure (P = 0.010), but less often after numerical versus word-based estimates (P < 0.001). Individuals felt more certain about the treatment decision after prognostic disclosure, compared to communication of unpredictability or non-disclosure (P < 0.001). Effects of different survival scenarios were absent. No effects on end-of-life anticipation were observed. Evidence for moderating individual characteristics was limited. CONCLUSION If and how oncologists discuss prognosis can influence how individuals perceive prognosis, which treatment they prefer, and how they feel about treatment decisions. Communicating numerical estimates may stimulate prognostic understanding and informed treatment decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi C A van der Velden
- Department of Medical Psychology (N.C.A.V., E.M.A.S., I.H.), Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Amsterdam Public Health (N.C.A.V., E.M.A.S., I.H.), Quality of Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam (N.C.A.V., E.M.A.S., I.H., H.W.M.L.), Cancer Treatment and Quality of Life, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Ellen M A Smets
- Department of Medical Psychology (N.C.A.V., E.M.A.S., I.H.), Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Amsterdam Public Health (N.C.A.V., E.M.A.S., I.H.), Quality of Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam (N.C.A.V., E.M.A.S., I.H., H.W.M.L.), Cancer Treatment and Quality of Life, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Liesbeth M van Vliet
- Department of Health, Medical and Neuropsychology (L.M.V.), University of Leiden, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Linda Brom
- Department of Research and Development (L.B.), Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation (IKNL), Utrecht, The Netherlands; Netherlands Association for Palliative Care (PZNL) (L.B.), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hanneke W M van Laarhoven
- Cancer Center Amsterdam (N.C.A.V., E.M.A.S., I.H., H.W.M.L.), Cancer Treatment and Quality of Life, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Medical Oncology (H.W.M.L.), Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Inge Henselmans
- Department of Medical Psychology (N.C.A.V., E.M.A.S., I.H.), Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Amsterdam Public Health (N.C.A.V., E.M.A.S., I.H.), Quality of Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam (N.C.A.V., E.M.A.S., I.H., H.W.M.L.), Cancer Treatment and Quality of Life, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Cincidda C, Pizzoli SFM, Oliveri S, Guiddi P, Pravettoni G. Toward a new personalized psycho-social approach for the support of prostate cancer and their caregivers dyads: a pilot study. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1356385. [PMID: 38646557 PMCID: PMC11027503 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1356385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Prostate cancer patients (PCP) often struggle with a significant emotional, physical, and social burden during the care-flow pathway. Noteworthy, PCP should not be considered a standalone patient, but someone who is connected with a relevant social environment and that is usually supported by a beloved one, the caregiver. The involvement of the caregivers through the care pathway might bring significant benefits both on the psychological and the treatment and decision-making side. The present pilot study aimed at preliminarily assessing quantitatively the psychological impact of a prostate cancer diagnosis on the degree of agreement of PCPs and their caregivers on medical decisions, coping resources and psychological distress levels. Methods 16 PCP and their caregivers were enrolled in the study and fulfilled a battery of standardized questionnaires. Results Results showed low concordance in decision making styles and preferences in patients and their caregivers and that the dyads showed similar depression symptoms levels. Relevant features of the psychological needs of the analyzed dyads, such as need for information and support, also emerged. Conclusion On the basis of these preliminary results, guidelines for the construction of tailored brief psychological support interventions for PCP dyads are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clizia Cincidda
- Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Serena Oliveri
- Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- “Aldo Ravelli” Center for Neurotechnology and Brain Therapeutics, Department of Health Science, DISS, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Neurological Clinic, ASST-Santi Paolo e Carlo, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Guiddi
- Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Gabriella Pravettoni
- Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Shen MJ, Prigerson HG, Maciejewski PK, Daly B, Adelman R, McConnell Trevino KM. A communication intervention to improve prognostic understanding and engagement in advance care planning among diverse advanced cancer patient-caregiver dyads: A pilot study. Palliat Support Care 2024; 22:10-18. [PMID: 37526150 PMCID: PMC10901460 DOI: 10.1017/s1478951523000901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Accurate prognostic understanding among patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers is associated with greater engagement in advance care planning (ACP) and receipt of goal-concordant care. Poor prognostic understanding is more prevalent among racial and ethnic minority patients. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and impact of a patient-caregiver communication-based intervention to improve prognostic understanding, engagement in ACP, and completion of advance directives among a racially and ethnically diverse, urban sample of patients and their caregivers. METHODS Patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers (n = 22 dyads) completed assessments of prognostic understanding, engagement in ACP, and completion of advance directives at baseline and post-intervention, Talking About Cancer (TAC). TAC is a 7-session intervention delivered remotely by licensed social workers that includes distress management and communication skills, review of prognosis, and information on ACP. RESULTS TAC met a priori benchmarks for feasibility, acceptability, and fidelity. Prognostic understanding and engagement in ACP did not change over time. However, patients showed increases in completion of advance directives. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS TAC was feasible, acceptable, and delivered with high fidelity. Involvement of caregivers in TAC may provide added layers of support to patients facing advanced cancer diagnoses, especially among racial and ethnic minorities. Trends indicated greater completion of advance directives but not in prognostic understanding or engagement in ACP. Future research is needed to optimize the intervention to improve acceptability, tailor to diverse patient populations, and examine the efficacy of TAC in a randomized controlled trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan J Shen
- Division of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Holly G Prigerson
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Paul K Maciejewski
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bobby Daly
- Thoracic Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ronald Adelman
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kelly M McConnell Trevino
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
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McConnell KM, Rogers M, Prigerson HG, Maciejewski PK, Daly R, Adelman R, Shen M. Advance care planning in an interracial dyad: Case illustration of an intervention to improve engagement in end-of-life care planning. Psychooncology 2023; 32:1306-1312. [PMID: 37334501 PMCID: PMC10858992 DOI: 10.1002/pon.6179] [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: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Key Points
Prognostic understanding among advanced cancer patients is associated with higher levels of engagement in advance care planning (ACP), preference for comfort over aggressive care, and receipt of goal‐concordant care, but few patients have accurate prognostic understanding.
Talking about Cancer (TAC) is a communication‐based intervention for advanced cancer patients and their caregivers designed to improve shared accurate prognostic understanding.
This case study describes the use of TAC with an interracial friend dyad for whom medical mistrust and experienced bias on the part of the patient significantly impacted interactions with the medical team.
Using TAC strategies, this dyad was able to improve communication with the oncology team and each other and engage in ACP.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Robert Daly
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | | | - Megan Shen
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
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Castelo-Loureiro A, Perez-de-Acha A, Torres-Perez AC, Cunha V, García-Valdés P, Cárdenas-Reyes P, Soto-Perez-de-Celis E. Delivering Palliative and Supportive Care for Older Adults with Cancer: Interactions between Palliative Medicine and Geriatrics. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3858. [PMID: 37568674 PMCID: PMC10417379 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The world's population is aging rapidly, with projections indicating that by 2050 one in six people will be aged ≥65 years. As a result, the number of cancer cases in older people is expected to increase significantly. Palliative care is an essential component of cancer care with a direct impact on quality of life. However, older adults with cancer often suffer from multiple comorbidities, cognitive impairment, and frailty, posing unique challenges in the delivery of palliative care. The complex healthcare needs of older patients with cancer therefore require a comprehensive assessment, including a geriatric evaluation. Collaboration between geriatrics and palliative care can offer a solution to the challenges faced by older people with cancer, since this is a population with overlapping concerns for both disciplines. This review highlights the importance of palliative care for older adults with cancer and the benefits of a multidisciplinary approach. It also addresses the coordination of palliative care and geriatrics for specific symptom management and decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrea Perez-de-Acha
- Department of Geriatrics, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Ana Cristina Torres-Perez
- Department of Geriatrics, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Vanessa Cunha
- School of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G5, Canada
| | - Paola García-Valdés
- Department of Geriatrics, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
- Department of Palliative Care, Hospital Gea González, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Paula Cárdenas-Reyes
- Department of Geriatrics, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Enrique Soto-Perez-de-Celis
- Department of Geriatrics, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
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Mullins MA, Ruterbusch J, Cote ML, Uppal S, Wallner LP. Trends in hospice referral timing and location among individuals dying of ovarian cancer: persistence of missed opportunities. Int J Gynecol Cancer 2023; 33:1099-1105. [PMID: 37208020 PMCID: PMC10577799 DOI: 10.1136/ijgc-2023-004405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate trends, racial disparities, and opportunities to improve the timing and location of hospice referral for women dying of ovarian cancer. METHODS This retrospective claims analysis included 4258 Medicare beneficiaries over age 66 diagnosed with ovarian cancer who survived at least 6 months after diagnosis, died between 2007 and 2016, and enrolled in a hospice. We examined trends in timing and clinical location (outpatient, inpatient hospital, nursing/long-term care, other) of hospice referrals and associations with patient race and ethnicity using multivariable multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS In this sample, 56% of hospice enrollees were referred to a hospice within a month of death, and referral timing did not vary by patient race. Referrals were most commonly inpatient hospital (1731 (41%) inpatient, 703 (17%) outpatient, 299 (7%) nursing/long-term care, 1525 (36%) other), with a median of 6 inpatient days prior to hospice enrollment. Only 17% of hospice referrals were made in an outpatient clinic, but participants had a median of 1.7 outpatient visits per month in the 6 months prior to hospice referral. Referral location varied by patient race, with non-Hispanic black people experiencing the most inpatient referrals (60%). Hospice referral timing and location trends did not change between 2007 and 2016. Compared with individuals referred to a hospice in an outpatient setting, individuals referred from an inpatient hospital setting had more than six times the odds of a referral in the last 3 days of life (OR=6.5, 95% CI 4.4 to 9.8) versus a referral more than 90 days before death. CONCLUSION Timeliness of hospice referral is not improving over time despite opportunities for earlier referral across multiple clinical settings. Future work delineating how to capitalize on these opportunities is essential for improving the timeliness of hospice care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan A Mullins
- Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Julie Ruterbusch
- Karmanos Cancer Insitute, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Michele L Cote
- Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Shitanshu Uppal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Lauren P Wallner
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Liddicoat Yamarik R, Chiu LA, Flannery M, Van Allen K, Adeyemi O, Cuthel AM, Brody AA, Goldfeld KS, Schrag D, Grudzen CR. Engagement, Advance Care Planning, and Hospice Use in a Telephonic Nurse-Led Palliative Care Program for Persons Living with Advanced Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15082310. [PMID: 37190238 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15082310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Persons living with advanced cancer have intensive symptoms and psychosocial needs that often result in visits to the Emergency Department (ED). We report on program engagement, advance care planning (ACP), and hospice use for a 6-month longitudinal nurse-led, telephonic palliative care intervention for patients with advanced cancer as part of a larger randomized trial. Patients 50 years and older with metastatic solid tumors were recruited from 18 EDs and randomized to receive nursing calls focused on ACP, symptom management, and care coordination or specialty outpatient palliative care (ClinicialTrials.gov: NCT03325985). One hundred and five (50%) graduated from the 6-month program, 54 (26%) died or enrolled in hospice, 40 (19%) were lost to follow-up, and 19 (9%) withdrew prior to program completion. In a Cox proportional hazard regression, withdrawn subjects were more likely to be white and have a low symptom burden compared to those who did not withdraw. Two hundred eighteen persons living with advanced cancer were enrolled in the nursing arm, and 182 of those (83%) completed some ACP. Of the subjects who died, 43/54 (80%) enrolled in hospice. Our program demonstrated high rates of engagement, ACP, and hospice enrollment. Enrolling subjects with a high symptom burden may result in even greater program engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laraine Ann Chiu
- Ronald O. Perelman Department of Emergency Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Mara Flannery
- Ronald O. Perelman Department of Emergency Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Kaitlyn Van Allen
- Ronald O. Perelman Department of Emergency Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Oluwaseun Adeyemi
- Ronald O. Perelman Department of Emergency Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Allison M Cuthel
- Ronald O. Perelman Department of Emergency Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Abraham A Brody
- Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, New York, NY 10010, USA
- Division of Geriatric Medicine and Palliative Care, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Keith S Goldfeld
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Deborah Schrag
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
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van der Velden NCA, Smets EMA, Hagedoorn M, Applebaum AJ, Onwuteaka-Philipsen BD, van Laarhoven HWM, Henselmans I. Patient-Caregiver Dyads' Prognostic Information Preferences and Perceptions in Advanced Cancer. J Pain Symptom Manage 2023; 65:442-455.e2. [PMID: 36731806 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2023.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Prognostic information is considered important for advanced cancer patients and primary informal caregivers to prepare for the end of life. Little is known about discordance in patients' and caregivers' prognostic information preferences and prognostic perceptions, while such discordance complicates adaptive dyadic coping, clinical interactions and care plans. OBJECTIVES To investigate the extent of patient-caregiver discordance in prognostic information preferences and perceptions, and the factors associated with discordant prognostic perceptions. METHODS We conducted secondary analyses of a cross-sectional study (PROSPECT, 2019-2021). Advanced cancer patients (median overall survival ≤12 months) from seven Dutch hospitals and caregivers completed structured surveys (n = 412 dyads). RESULTS Seven percent of patient-caregiver dyads had discordant information preferences regarding the likelihood of cure; 24%-25% had discordant information preferences regarding mortality risk (5/2/1 year). Seventeen percent of dyads had discordant perceptions of the likelihood of cure; 12%-25% had discordant perceptions of mortality risk (5/2/1 year). Dyads with discordant prognostic information preferences (P < 0.05) and dyads in which patients reported better physical functioning (P < 0.01) were significantly more likely to perceive the one-year mortality risk discordantly. CONCLUSION Physicians should be sensitive to discordant prognostic information preferences and prognostic perceptions among patient-caregiver dyads in advanced cancer care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi C A van der Velden
- Department of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam (N.C.A.V., E.M.A.S, I.H.), Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Quality of Care, Amsterdam Public Health (N.C.A.V, E.M.A.S, B.D.O-P, I.H.), Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Cancer Treatment and Quality of Life, Cancer Center Amsterdam (N.C.A.V., E.M.A.S, H.W.M.L, I.H.), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Ellen M A Smets
- Department of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam (N.C.A.V., E.M.A.S, I.H.), Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Quality of Care, Amsterdam Public Health (N.C.A.V, E.M.A.S, B.D.O-P, I.H.), Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Cancer Treatment and Quality of Life, Cancer Center Amsterdam (N.C.A.V., E.M.A.S, H.W.M.L, I.H.), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mariët Hagedoorn
- Department of Health Psychology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen (M.H), The Netherlands
| | - Allison J Applebaum
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (A.J.A), New York, New York, USA
| | - Bregje D Onwuteaka-Philipsen
- Quality of Care, Amsterdam Public Health (N.C.A.V, E.M.A.S, B.D.O-P, I.H.), Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Public and Occupational Health, Expertise Center for Palliative Care, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (B.D.O-P, I.H.), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hanneke W M van Laarhoven
- Cancer Treatment and Quality of Life, Cancer Center Amsterdam (N.C.A.V., E.M.A.S, H.W.M.L, I.H.), Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam (H.W.M.L), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Inge Henselmans
- Department of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam (N.C.A.V., E.M.A.S, I.H.), Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Quality of Care, Amsterdam Public Health (N.C.A.V, E.M.A.S, B.D.O-P, I.H.), Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Cancer Treatment and Quality of Life, Cancer Center Amsterdam (N.C.A.V., E.M.A.S, H.W.M.L, I.H.), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Wen FH, Chou WC, Chen JS, Chang WC, Hsu MH, Tang ST. Sufficient Death Preparedness Correlates to Better Mental Health, Quality of Life, and EOL Care. J Pain Symptom Manage 2022; 63:988-996. [PMID: 35192878 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2022.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Patients can prepare for end of life and their forthcoming death to enhance the quality of dying. OBJECTIVES We aimed to longitudinally evaluate the never-before-examined associations of cancer patients' death-preparedness states by conjoint cognitive prognostic awareness and emotional preparedness for death with psychological distress, quality of life (QOL), and end-of-life care received. METHODS In this cohort study, we simultaneously evaluated associations of four previously identified death-preparedness states (no-death-preparedness, cognitive-death-preparedness-only, emotional-death-preparedness-only, and sufficient-death-preparedness states) with anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and QOL over 383 cancer patients' last six months and end-of-life care received in the last month using multivariate hierarchical linear modeling and logistic regression modeling, respectively. Minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) have been established for anxiety- (1.3-1.8) and depressive- (1.5-1.7) symptom subscales (0-21 Likert scales). RESULTS Patients in the no-death-preparedness and cognitive-death-preparedness-only states reported increases in anxiety symptoms and depressive symptoms that exceed the MCIDs, and a decline in QOL from those in the sufficient-death-preparedness state. Patients in the emotional-death-preparedness-only state were more (OR [95% CI]=2.38 [1.14, 4.97]) and less (OR [95% CI]=0.38 [0.15, 0.94]) likely to receive chemotherapy/immunotherapy and hospice care, respectively, than those in the sufficient-death-preparedness state. Death-preparedness states were not associated with life-sustaining treatments received in the last month. CONCLUSION Conjoint cognitive and emotional preparedness for death is associated with cancer patients' lower psychological distress, better QOL, reduced anti-cancer therapy, and increased hospice-care utilization. Facilitating accurate prognostic awareness and emotional preparedness for death is justified when consistent with patient circumstances and preferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fur-Hsing Wen
- Department of International Business, Soochow University, Taiwan, China
| | - Wen-Chi Chou
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taiwan, China; Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan, China
| | - Jen-Shi Chen
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taiwan, China; Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan, China
| | - Wen-Cheng Chang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taiwan, China; Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan, China
| | - Mei Huang Hsu
- School of Nursing, Chang Gung University, Taiwan, China
| | - Siew Tzuh Tang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taiwan, China; School of Nursing, Chang Gung University, Taiwan, China; Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Taiwan, China.
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Walsh LE, Polacek LC, Panageas K, Reiner A, Walbert T, Thomas AA, Buthorn J, Sigler A, Prigerson HG, Applebaum AJ, Diamond EL. Coping with glioblastoma: prognostic communication and prognostic understanding among patients with recurrent glioblastoma, caregivers, and oncologists. J Neurooncol 2022; 158:69-79. [PMID: 35437688 PMCID: PMC10022487 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-022-04010-x] [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: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Glioblastoma (GBM) is a devastating neuro-oncologic disease with invariably poor prognosis. Despite this, research shows patients have unrealistic perceptions of their prognosis, which may relate in part to communication patterns between patients, caregivers and oncologists. The purpose of this study was to examine communication processes and goals among patients, caregivers, and oncologists to elucidate drivers of prognostic understanding (PU) in the context of recurrent GBM. METHODS This was a prospective, multi-center study enrolling adult patients with GBM, caregivers, and oncologists, who independently reported the content of a specific discussion involving the disclosure of GBM recurrence. Communication processes and goals were characterized for each participant, and concordance between all dyads and patient-caregiver-oncologist triads were calculated. RESULTS Seventeen patient, caregiver, and oncologist triads were analyzed. At the individual level, three (17.6%) patients and 8 (47.1%) caregivers reported having discussed prognosis during the clinical encounter, as compared to ten oncologists (58.8%). Seven patients (41.2%) and 5 caregivers (29.4%), versus thirteen oncologists (76.5%) reported ever discussing prognosis or life expectancy at previous appointments. Generally, patient-caregiver concordance (i.e., both answered the same) regarding communication goals and processes was low. Triads showed limited concordant responses in discussing curability (n = 5), prognosis (n = 4), end-of-life treatment goals (n = 4), and ever discussing prognosis (n = 3). CONCLUSION Patients, caregivers and oncologists had discordant views regarding communication processes and prognostic goals, even when recalling a single discussion. This study highlights the importance of clear and frequent communication about prognosis, and the need for further research on communication and PU in the neuro-oncology setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah E Walsh
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Laura C Polacek
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Katherine Panageas
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anne Reiner
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tobias Walbert
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Henry Ford Health System and Department of Neurology Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Alissa A Thomas
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Justin Buthorn
- Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Allison Sigler
- Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Holly G Prigerson
- Department of Medicine, Center for Research on End of Life Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Allison J Applebaum
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eli L Diamond
- Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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11
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Dealing with Family Conflicts in Decision-making in End-of-Life Care of Advanced Cancer Patients. Curr Oncol Rep 2021; 23:124. [PMID: 34448971 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-021-01122-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The family plays a significant role in end-of-life care and decision-making with advanced cancer patients. This non-systematic review aims to summarize the family role and possible emerging conflicts and problems related to family involvement in decisions with advanced cancer patients. RECENT FINDINGS Four important domains were identified: (1) discordance between patients and caregivers' understanding of prognosis and goals of care; (2) internal family conflicts; (3) cultural differences regarding the role of the family in end-of life decision-making; (4) the burden on caregivers through caring for cancer patients. Based on the findings, we formulated some implications to consider for clinical practice. We suggest to involve the family in decision-making, to ascertain patients' wish for family involvement and if necessary, taking a mediator role between patients and their caregivers; to be aware of "invisible" family influence on patients' decisions; to assess systematically family burden and needs; to provide timely information, psychological support interventions and palliative care.
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12
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DuMontier C, Loh KP, Soto-Perez-de-Celis E, Dale W. Decision Making in Older Adults With Cancer. J Clin Oncol 2021; 39:2164-2174. [PMID: 34043434 PMCID: PMC8260915 DOI: 10.1200/jco.21.00165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Clark DuMontier
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, MA
| | - Kah Poh Loh
- James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
| | - Enrique Soto-Perez-de-Celis
- Department of Geriatrics, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - William Dale
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA
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13
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Croker JA, Bobitt J, Sanders S, Arora K, Mueller K, Kaskie B. Cannabis and End-of-Life Care: A Snapshot of Hospice Planning and Experiences Among Illinois Medical Cannabis Patients With A Terminal Diagnosis. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2021; 39:345-352. [PMID: 34002633 DOI: 10.1177/10499091211018655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Between 2013 and 2019, Illinois limited cannabis access to certified patients enrolled in the Illinois Medical Cannabis Program (IMCP). In 2016, the state instituted a fast-track pathway for terminal patients. The benefits of medicinal cannabis (MC) have clear implications for patients near end-of-life (EOL). However, little is known about how terminal patients engage medical cannabis relative to supportive care. METHODS Anonymous cross-sectional survey data were collected from 342 terminal patients who were already enrolled in (n = 19) or planning to enroll (n = 323) in hospice for EOL care. Logistic regression models compare patients in the sample on hospice planning vs. hospice enrollment, use of palliative care vs. hospice care, and use standard care vs non-hospice palliative care. RESULTS In our sample, cancer patients (OR = 0.21 (0.11), p < .01), and those who used the fast-track application into the IMCP (OR = 0.11 (0.06), p < .001) were less likely to be enrolled in hospice. Compared to patients in palliative care, hospice patients were less likely to report cancer as their qualifying condition (OR = 0.16 (0.11), p < .01), or entered the IMCP via the fast-track (OR = 0.23 (0.15), p < .05). DISCUSSION Given low hospice enrollment in a fairly large EOL sample, cannabis use may operate as an alternative to supportive forms of care like hospice and palliation. Clinicians should initiate conversations about cannabis use with their patients while also engaging EOL Care planning discussions as an essential part of the general care plan.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Alton Croker
- Department of Health Management & Policy, 4083University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Julie Bobitt
- Department of Medicine, 14681University of Illinois at Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sara Sanders
- School of Social Work, 4083University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Kanika Arora
- Department of Health Management & Policy, 4083University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Keith Mueller
- Department of Health Management & Policy, 4083University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Brian Kaskie
- Department of Health Management & Policy, 4083University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
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14
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Our goal was to provide healthcare professionals (HCPs) with evidence-based data about what can be done to handle prognostic discussions with empathy. RECENT FINDINGS First, disclosing prognosis involves a good reason to do so and making sure that the patient will be able to process the discussion. Second, communication tips are given for the three dimensions of empathy: "establishing rapport with the patient," which should not be overlooked; the emotional dimension, which involves an accurate understanding of the patient and communication skills; and the "active/positive" dimension which is about giving hope, explaining things clearly and helping patients take control with shared decision-making and a planned future. Although communication tips are helpful, empathy training should be based more on the development of HCPs' emotional skills, in order to help them regulate their emotions and thus be more comfortable with those of patients and families. Furthermore, research into empathy toward minorities and relatives is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Lelorain
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, UMR 9193 - SCALab - Sciences Cognitives et Sciences Affectives, F-59000, Lille, France.
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15
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Patel MN, Nicolla JM, Friedman FAP, Ritz MR, Kamal AH. Hospice Use Among Patients With Cancer: Trends, Barriers, and Future Directions. JCO Oncol Pract 2020; 16:803-809. [PMID: 33186083 DOI: 10.1200/op.20.00309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with advanced cancer and their families frequently encounter clinical and logistical challenges related to end-of-life care. Hospice provides interdisciplinary and holistic care to meet patients' biomedical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs in the last phases of life. Despite increasing general acceptance and use among patients with cancer, hospice remains underused. Underuse stems from ongoing misconceptions regarding hospice and its purpose, coupled with the rapid development of novel anticancer treatments, such as immunotherapies and targeted therapies, that have changed the landscape of possibilities. Furthermore, rapid evolutions in how end-of-life care is structured and reimbursed for will affect how oncology patients will intersect with hospice care. In this review, we explore the current and future challenges to greater integration of hospice care in the care of patients with advanced cancer and propose five recommendations as part of the path forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihir N Patel
- Trinity College of Arts and Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC
| | | | | | - Michala R Ritz
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | - Arif H Kamal
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC.,Duke Fuqua School of Business, Durham, NC
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16
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Gray TF, Forst D, Nipp RD, Greer JA, Temel JS, El-Jawahri A. Prognostic Awareness in Caregivers of Patients with Incurable Cancer. J Palliat Med 2020; 24:561-569. [PMID: 32996821 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2020.0236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Little is known about how patients with incurable cancer and caregivers differ in their prognostic awareness, and the relationship between caregiver prognostic awareness and their psychological distress. Objective: To investigate prognostic awareness in caregivers of patients with incurable cancer and prognostic discordance in patient-caregiver dyads and its association with psychological distress. Design: This is a cross-sectional study. Setting/Subjects: In total, subjects were 390 caregivers of adults with incurable lung, gastrointestinal, and brain cancers at a cancer center in the northeastern United States. Measurements: The Prognosis and Treatment Perceptions Questionnaire was used to assess prognostic awareness and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale to assess psychological distress. Results: In total, 39.7% (n = 147/370) and 17.3% (n = 64/370) caregivers reported clinically significant anxiety and depression symptoms. And 53.7% of caregivers reported the patients' cancer as "curable" and 44.1% reported the cancer was "not terminal." Caregivers' report of curability was not associated with their anxiety (odds ratio [OR] = 0.99, p = 0.93) or depression (OR = 1.05, p = 0.32) symptoms. Among 42.5% (124/292) and 26.0% (76/292) of dyads (n = 292), both patients and their caregivers agreed in their perception of the cancer as curable and incurable, respectively. In 19.9% of dyads (n = 58), patients reported their cancer as curable, while their caregivers reported it as incurable. In 11.6% of dyads (n = 34), patients reported the cancer as incurable while caregivers reported it as curable. Conclusions: More than half of caregivers have misperceptions about the patients' likelihood of cure, and one-third of patient-caregiver dyads have discordant perceptions. Supportive care interventions may facilitate conversations and enhance prognostic understanding in patients with incurable cancer and their caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamryn F Gray
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Deborah Forst
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ryan D Nipp
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joseph A Greer
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jennifer S Temel
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Areej El-Jawahri
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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17
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Chen CH, Chou WC, Chen JS, Chang WC, Hsieh CH, Wen FH, Tang ST. An Individualized, Interactive, and Advance Care Planning Intervention Promotes Transitions in Prognostic Awareness States Among Terminally Ill Cancer Patients in Their Last Six Months-A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial. J Pain Symptom Manage 2020; 60:60-69.e6. [PMID: 32006613 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT/OBJECTIVES To examine whether an advance care planning intervention randomized controlled trial facilitates terminally ill cancer patients' transitions to accurate prognostic awareness (PA) and the time spent in the accurate PA state in patients' last six months. METHODS Participants (N = 460) were randomized 1:1 to experimental (interactive intervention tailored to participants' readiness for advance care planning/prognostic information) and control (symptom management education) arms with similar formats. PA was categorized into four states: 1) unknown and not wanting to know; 2) unknown but wanting to know; 3) inaccurate awareness; and 4) accurate awareness. Intervention effectiveness in the two outcomes was evaluated by intention-to-treat analysis with multistate Markov modeling (effect size ≥0.2 as minimal clinically important difference). RESULTS The final sample constituted 188 and 184 experimental arm and control arm participants who died and were repeatedly assessed, respectively. Experimental arm participants in States 1-3 had a higher probability of shifting to accurate PA (23.0%-35.4% vs. 15.2%-26.2%) than control arm participants, and all effect sizes met the minimal clinically important difference criterion (effect sizes 0.22-0.49). In their last six months, experimental arm participants spent more time in States 3 and 4 (0.18 vs. 0.08 and 2.94 vs. 2.38 months, respectively) but less time in States 1 and 2 (2.70 vs. 3.19 and 0.18 vs. 0.36 months, respectively) (effect sizes 0.11-0.19). CONCLUSION Our intervention meaningfully facilitated participants' transition toward accurate PA and more time spent in the accurate PA state (State 4). Our intervention can help health care professionals foster cancer patients' accurate PA earlier in the terminal illness trajectory to make informed end-of-life care decisions tailored to their readiness for prognostic information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Hsiu Chen
- School of Nursing, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Wen-Chi Chou
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Jen-Shi Chen
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Wen-Cheng Chang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Chia-Hsun Hsieh
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Fur-Hsing Wen
- Department of International Business, Soochow University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Siew Tzuh Tang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China; School of Nursing, Medical College, Chang Gung University, Kwei-Shan, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China; Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Republic of China.
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18
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Forst DA, Quain K, Landay SL, Anand M, Kaslow-Zieve E, Mesa MM, Jacobs JM, Dietrich J, Parsons MW, Horick N, Greer JA, Batchelor TT, Jackson VA, El-Jawahri A, Temel JS. Perceptions of prognosis and goal of treatment in patients with malignant gliomas and their caregivers. Neurooncol Pract 2020; 7:490-497. [PMID: 33014389 DOI: 10.1093/nop/npaa021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Patients with malignant gliomas have a poor prognosis. However, little is known about patients' and caregivers' understanding of the prognosis and the primary treatment goal. Methods We conducted a prospective study in patients with newly diagnosed malignant gliomas (N = 72) and their caregivers (N = 55). At 12 weeks after diagnosis, we administered the Prognosis and Treatment Perceptions Questionnaire to assess understanding of prognosis and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale to evaluate mood. We used multivariable regression analyses to explore associations between prognostic understanding and mood and McNemar tests to compare prognostic perceptions among patient-caregiver dyads (N = 48). Results A total of 87.1% (61/70) of patients and 79.6% (43/54) of caregivers reported that it was "very" or "extremely" important to know about the patient's prognosis. The majority of patients (72.7%, [48/66]) reported that their cancer was curable. Patients who reported that their illness was incurable had greater depressive symptoms (B = 3.01, 95% CI, 0.89-5.14, P = .01). There was no association between caregivers' prognostic understanding and mood. Among patient-caregiver dyads, patients were more likely than caregivers to report that their primary treatment goal was cure (43.8% [21/48] vs 25.0% [12/48], P = .04) and that the oncologist's primary goal was cure (29.2% [14/48] vs 8.3% [4/48], P = .02). Conclusions Patients with malignant gliomas frequently hold inaccurate perceptions of the prognosis and treatment goal. Although caregivers more often report an accurate assessment of these metrics, many still report an overly optimistic perception of prognosis. Interventions are needed to enhance prognostic communication and to help patients cope with the associated distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah A Forst
- Division of Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kit Quain
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sophia L Landay
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Maya Anand
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Emilia Kaslow-Zieve
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Michelle M Mesa
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jamie M Jacobs
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jorg Dietrich
- Division of Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Michael W Parsons
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Nora Horick
- Massachusetts General Hospital Biostatistics Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Joseph A Greer
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Tracy T Batchelor
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Vicki A Jackson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Areej El-Jawahri
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jennifer S Temel
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts
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19
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Herrel LA, Zhu Z, Griggs JJ, Kaye DR, Dupree JM, Ellimoottil CS, Miller DC. Association Between Delivery System Structure and Intensity of End-of-Life Cancer Care. JCO Oncol Pract 2020; 16:e590-e600. [PMID: 32069191 DOI: 10.1200/jop.19.00667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine whether the type of delivery system is associated with intensity of care at the end of life for Medicare beneficiaries with cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS We used SEER registry data linked with Medicare claims to evaluate intensity of end-of-life care for patients who died of one of ten common cancers diagnosed from 2009 through 2014. Patients were categorized as receiving the majority of their care in an integrated delivery system, designated cancer center, health system that was both integrated and a certified cancer center, or health system that was neither. We evaluated adherence to seven nationally endorsed end-of-life quality measures using generalized linear models across four delivery system types. RESULTS Among 100,549 beneficiaries who died of cancer during the study interval, we identified only modest differences in intensity of end-of-life care across delivery system structures. Health systems with no cancer center or integrated affiliation demonstrated higher proportions of patients with multiple hospitalizations in the last 30 days of life (11.3%), death in an acute care setting (25.9%), and lack of hospice use in the last year of life (31.6%; all P < .001). Patients enrolled in hospice had lower intensity care across multiple end-of-life quality measures. CONCLUSION Intensity of care at the end of life for patients with cancer was higher at delivery systems with no integration or cancer focus. Maximal supportive care delivered through hospice may be one avenue to reduce high-intensity care at the end of life and may impact quality of care for patients dying from cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey A Herrel
- The University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Ziwei Zhu
- The University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Jennifer J Griggs
- The University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Deborah R Kaye
- The University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - James M Dupree
- The University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Chandy S Ellimoottil
- The University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - David C Miller
- The University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Ann Arbor, MI
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20
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An AW, Ladwig S, Epstein RM, Prigerson HG, Duberstein PR. The impact of the caregiver-oncologist relationship on caregiver experiences of end-of-life care and bereavement outcomes. Support Care Cancer 2020; 28:4219-4225. [DOI: 10.1007/s00520-019-05185-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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21
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Loh KP, Soto Pérez de Celis E, Duberstein PR, Culakova E, Epstein RM, Xu H, Kadambi S, Flannery M, Magnuson A, McHugh C, Trevino KM, Tuch G, Ramsdale E, Yousefi-Nooraie R, Sedenquist M, Liu JJ, Melnyk N, Geer J, Mohile SG. Patient and caregiver agreement on prognosis estimates for older adults with advanced cancer. Cancer 2020; 127:149-159. [PMID: 33036063 PMCID: PMC7736110 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.33259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disagreements between patients and caregivers about treatment benefits, care decisions, and patients' health are associated with increased patient depression as well as increased caregiver anxiety, distress, depression, and burden. Understanding the factors associated with disagreement may inform interventions to improve the aforementioned outcomes. METHODS For this analysis, baseline data were obtained from a cluster-randomized geriatric assessment trial that recruited patients aged ≥70 years who had incurable cancer from community oncology practices (University of Rochester Cancer Center 13070; Supriya G. Mohile, principal investigator). Patient and caregiver dyads were asked to estimate the patient's prognosis. Response options were 0 to 6 months, 7 to 12 months, 1 to 2 years, 2 to 5 years, and >5 years. The dependent variable was categorized as exact agreement (reference), patient-reported longer estimate, or caregiver-reported longer estimate. The authors used generalized estimating equations with multinomial distribution to examine the factors associated with patient-caregiver prognostic estimates. Independent variables were selected using the purposeful selection method. RESULTS Among 354 dyads (89% of screened patients were enrolled), 26% and 22% of patients and caregivers, respectively, reported a longer estimate. Compared with dyads that were in agreement, patients were more likely to report a longer estimate when they screened positive for polypharmacy (β = 0.81; P = .001), and caregivers reported greater distress (β = 0.12; P = .03). Compared with dyads that were in agreement, caregivers were more likely to report a longer estimate when patients screened positive for polypharmacy (β = 0.82; P = .005) and had lower perceived self-efficacy in interacting with physicians (β = -0.10; P = .008). CONCLUSIONS Several patient and caregiver factors were associated with patient-caregiver disagreement about prognostic estimates. Future studies should examine the effects of prognostic disagreement on patient and caregiver outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kah Poh Loh
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Enrique Soto Pérez de Celis
- Department of Geriatrics, Salvador Zubiran National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Paul R Duberstein
- Department of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Eva Culakova
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Ronald M Epstein
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York.,Department of Family Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York.,Department of Medicine, Palliative Care, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Huiwen Xu
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York.,Department of Surgery, Cancer Control, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Sindhuja Kadambi
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Marie Flannery
- School of Nursing, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Allison Magnuson
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Colin McHugh
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Kelly M Trevino
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Gina Tuch
- Department of Aged Care, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Erika Ramsdale
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Reza Yousefi-Nooraie
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Margaret Sedenquist
- SCOREboard Advisory Group, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Jane Jijun Liu
- Heartland National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP), Decatur, Illinois
| | | | - Jodi Geer
- Metro-Minnesota NCORP, St Paul, Minnesota
| | - Supriya G Mohile
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
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22
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Trevino KM, Prigerson HG, Epstein RM, Duberstein PR. Reply to Hope, optimism, and the importance of caregivers in end-of-life care. Cancer 2019; 125:4330-4331. [PMID: 31381145 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.32441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kelly M Trevino
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Holly G Prigerson
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York.,Department of Medicine, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York
| | - Ronald M Epstein
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Paul R Duberstein
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York.,Department of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy, Rutgers School of Public Health, New Brunswick, New Jersey
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