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Shimer S, Allen OS, Yang C, Canavan M, Westvold S, Kim N, Morillo J, Parker T, Wallace N, Smith CB, Adelson KB. Prognostic Understanding, Goals of Care, and Quality of Life in Hospitalized Patients with Leukemia or Multiple Myeloma. J Palliat Med 2024; 27:879-887. [PMID: 38990245 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2023.0530] [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: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Prior studies reveal a lack of illness understanding and prognostic awareness among patients with hematological malignancies. We evaluated prognostic awareness and illness understanding among patients with acute leukemia and multiple myeloma (MM) and measured patient-hematologist discordance. Methods: We prospectively enrolled patients with acute leukemia and MM at Mount Sinai Hospital or Yale New Haven Hospital between August 2015 and February 2020. Patients were administered a survey assessing prognostic awareness, goals of care (GOC), and quality of life. Hematologists completed a similar survey for each patient. We assessed discordance across the cohort of patients and hematologists using the likelihood-ratio chi-square test and within patient-hematologist pairs using the kappa (κ) statistic. Results: We enrolled 185 patients (137 with leukemia and 48 with MM) and 29 hematologists. Among patients, 137 (74%) self-identified as White, 27 (15%) as Black, and 21 (11%) as Hispanic. Across the entire cohort, patients were significantly more optimistic about treatment goals compared with hematologists (p = 0.027). Within patient-hematologist pairs, hematologists were significantly more optimistic than patients with respect to line of treatment (κ = 0.03). For both leukemia and MM cohorts, patients were significantly more likely to respond "don't know" or deferring to a faith-based response with 88 (64%) and 34 (71%), respectively, compared with only 28 (20%) and 11 (23%) of hematologists, respectively. Conclusions: We observed significant discordance regarding prognosis and GOC among patients with hematological malignancies and their hematologists. These data support future interventions to improve prognostic understanding among this patient population to facilitate informed treatment choices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Shimer
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Olivia S Allen
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Chen Yang
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | | | | | - Nina Kim
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jose Morillo
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Terri Parker
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | | | - Cardinale B Smith
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, New York, USA
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kerin B Adelson
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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Rodenbach RA, Thordardottir T, Brauer M, Hall AC, Ward E, Smith CB, Campbell TC. Balancing risks and rewards: How hematologists discuss uncertainty in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation outcomes. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2024; 123:108177. [PMID: 38341898 PMCID: PMC10997451 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2024.108177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (alloHCT) offers many patients with blood cancers a chance of cure but carries risks. We characterized how hematologists discuss the high-risk, high-reward concept of alloHCT. METHODS Qualitative analysis of video-recorded virtual encounters of hematologists who routinely perform alloHCT with actors portraying an older man recently diagnosed with high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome. RESULTS Hematologists (n = 37) were a median age of 44 years, 65% male, and 68% white. They frequently used "teeter-totter" language that juxtaposed alloHCT's risks and rewards in a dynamic, quickly alternating fashion and communicated uncertainty in transplant outcomes. This dialogue oscillated between encouragement about alloHCT's potential for cure and caution about its risks and occurred within single speech turns and in exchanges between hematologist and patient. Fewer hematologists outlined their big-picture stance on transplant's risks and benefits early in the conversation. Meanwhile, hematologists varied in how they counseled patients to manage transplant-related uncertainty and consider treatment decision making. CONCLUSION Hematologists use "teeter-totter" language to express hope and concern, confidence and uncertainty, and encouragement and caution about the high-risk, high-reward nature of alloHCT. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Teeter-totter language may help frame big-picture content about alloHCT's risks and benefits that is essential for patient education and decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Markus Brauer
- University of Wisconsin Department of Psychology, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Aric C Hall
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Earlise Ward
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI, USA; University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | - Toby C Campbell
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI, USA
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3
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LoCastro M, Sanapala C, Wang Y, Jensen‐Battaglia M, Wittink M, Norton S, Klepin HD, Richardson DR, Mendler JH, Liesveld J, Huselton E, O'Dwyer K, Cortes A, Rodriguez C, Dale W, Loh KP. Patient-centered communication tool for older patients with acute myeloid leukemia, their caregivers, and oncologists: A single-arm pilot study. Cancer Med 2023; 12:8581-8593. [PMID: 36533397 PMCID: PMC10134384 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In a single-arm pilot study, we assessed the feasibility and usefulness of an innovative patient-centered communication tool (UR-GOAL tool) that addresses aging-related vulnerabilities, patient values, and prognostic awareness for use in treatment decision making between older adults with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML), their caregivers, and oncologists. METHODS Primary feasibility metric was retention rate; >50% was considered feasible. We collected recruitment rate, usefulness, and outcomes including AML knowledge (range 0-14) and perceived efficacy in communicating with oncologists (range 5-25). Due to the pilot nature and small sample size, hypothesis testing was performed at α = 0.10. RESULTS We included 15 patients (mean age 76 years, range 64-88), 12 caregivers, and 5 oncologists; enrollment and retention rates for patients were 84% and 73%, respectively. Patients agreed that the UR-GOAL tool helped them understand their AML diagnosis and treatment options, communicate with their oncologist, and make more informed decisions. From baseline to post-intervention, patients and caregivers scored numerically higher on AML knowledge (patients: +0.6, p = 0.22; caregivers: +1.1, p = 0.05) and perceived greater efficacy in communicating with their oncologists (patients: +1.5, p = 0.22; caregivers: +1.2, p = 0.06). CONCLUSION We demonstrated that it is feasible to incorporate the UR-GOAL tool into treatment decision making for older patients with AML, their caregivers, and oncologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marissa LoCastro
- School of Medicine and DentistryUniversity of RochesterRochesterNew YorkUSA
| | - Chandrika Sanapala
- Burrell College of Osteopathic MedicineLas CrucesNew MexicoUnited States
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Public Health SciencesUniversity of Rochester Medical CenterRochesterNew YorkUSA
| | | | - Marsha Wittink
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Rochester School of Medicine and DentistryRochesterNew YorkUSA
| | - Sally Norton
- School of NursingUniversity of Rochester Medical CenterRochesterNew YorkUSA
| | - Heidi D. Klepin
- Section on Hematology and OncologyWake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical Center BlvdWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Daniel R. Richardson
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer CenterUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Jason H. Mendler
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of MedicineJames P. Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical CenterRochesterNew YorkUSA
| | - Jane Liesveld
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of MedicineJames P. Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical CenterRochesterNew YorkUSA
| | - Eric Huselton
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of MedicineJames P. Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical CenterRochesterNew YorkUSA
| | - Kristen O'Dwyer
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of MedicineJames P. Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical CenterRochesterNew YorkUSA
| | | | - Chrystina Rodriguez
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of MedicineJames P. Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical CenterRochesterNew YorkUSA
| | - William Dale
- Department of Supportive CareCity of Hope National Medical CenterDuarteCaliforniaUSA
| | - Kah Poh Loh
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of MedicineJames P. Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical CenterRochesterNew YorkUSA
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Dhawale TM, Johnson PC, Gaballa MR, Nelson AM, Lavoie MW, Boateng KY, Greydanus C, Frigault MJ, El-Jawahri A. Perception of prognosis, quality of life, and distress in patients receiving chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy. Cancer 2023; 129:441-449. [PMID: 36457279 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.34557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell is potentially curative therapy for patients with hematologic malignancies but can cause life-threatening toxicities. Data on perceptions of prognosis and psychological distress are lacking. METHODS The authors conducted a cross-sectional study of patients receiving CAR-T. Before hospitalization for CAR-T, patients completed assessments of quality of life (QOL) (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General), anxiety and depression symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms (Post-Traumatic Stress Checklist). Patients also completed the Prognostic Awareness Impact Scale (PAIS), which measures three domains: cognitive understanding of prognosis, emotional coping with prognosis, and adaptive response. RESULTS A total of 71.8% (102 of 142) of eligible patients were enrolled. A total of 34% of patients reported that their oncologist said their cancer is curable and 64% reported there was >50% chance of cure. Overall, 26%, 30%, and 21% of patients reported clinically significant depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, respectively. We found no association between patients' cognitive understanding of prognosis and QOL or mood. Higher emotional coping with prognosis was associated with better QOL (Β = 0.72; SE = 0.10; p = <.001) and lower depression (Β = -0.17; SE = 0.02; p = <.001), anxiety (Β = -0.21; SE = 0.02; p = <.001), and PTSD (Β = -0.43; SE = 0.06; p = <.001) symptoms. Higher adaptive response was associated with better QOL (Β = 0.19; SE = 0.09; p = .028) and lower depression (Β = -0.05; SE = 0.02; p = .023), anxiety (Β = -0.09; SE = 0.02; p = <.001), and PTSD (Β = -0.19; SE = 0.05; p = <.001) symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Patients undergoing CAR-T report overly optimistic perception of their prognosis and have high rates of psychological distress. Higher emotional coping with prognosis and adaptive response were associated with better QOL and less psychological distress, underscoring the need to develop interventions to promote coping with this treatment. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY Patients undergoing chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy experience report overly optimistic perceptions of their prognosis and have high rates of psychological distress. Notably, higher emotional coping with prognosis and adaptive response were associated with better quality of life and less psychological distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tejaswini M Dhawale
- Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - P Connor Johnson
- Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mahmoud R Gaballa
- Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ashley M Nelson
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mitchell W Lavoie
- Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kofi Y Boateng
- Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Claire Greydanus
- Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Matthew J Frigault
- Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Areej El-Jawahri
- Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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5
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Adapting a patient-centered communication tool for older patients with acute myeloid leukemia and their oncologist. Blood Adv 2022; 6:5707-5710. [PMID: 35930701 PMCID: PMC9618777 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2022008041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
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6
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Cole A, Richardson DR, Adapa K, Khasawneh A, Crossnohere N, Bridges JFP, Mazur L. Development of a patient-centered preference tool for patients with hematologic malignancies: protocol for a mixed methods study (Preprint). JMIR Res Protoc 2022; 11:e39586. [PMID: 35767340 PMCID: PMC9280452 DOI: 10.2196/39586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The approval of novel therapies for patients diagnosed with hematologic malignancies have improved survival outcomes but increased the challenge of aligning chemotherapy choices with patient preferences. We previously developed paper versions of a discrete choice experiment (DCE) and a best-worst scaling (BWS) instrument to quantify the treatment outcome preferences of patients with hematologic malignancies to inform shared decision making. Objective We aim to develop an electronic health care tool (EHT) to guide clinical decision making that uses either a BWS or DCE instrument to capture patient preferences. The primary objective of this study is to use both qualitative and quantitative methods to evaluate the perceived usability, cognitive workload (CWL), and performance of electronic prototypes that include the DCE and BWS instrument. Methods This mixed methods study includes iterative co-design methods that will involve healthy volunteers, patient-caregiver pairs, and health care workers to evaluate the perceived usability, CWL, and performance of tasks within distinct prototypes. Think-aloud sessions and semistructured interviews will be conducted to collect qualitative data to develop an affinity diagram for thematic analysis. Validated assessments (Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire [PSSUQ] and the National Aeronautical and Space Administration’s Task Load Index [NASA-TLX]) will be used to evaluate the usability and CWL required to complete tasks within the prototypes. Performance assessments of the DCE and BWS will include the evaluation of tasks using the Single Easy Questionnaire (SEQ), time to complete using the prototype, and the number of errors. Additional qualitative assessments will be conducted to gather participants’ feedback on visualizations used in the Personalized Treatment Preferences Dashboard that provides a representation of user results after completing the choice tasks within the prototype. Results Ethical approval was obtained in June 2021 from the Institutional Review Board of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The DCE and BWS instruments were developed and incorporated into the PRIME (Preference Reporting to Improve Management and Experience) prototype in early 2021 and prototypes were completed by June 2021. Heuristic evaluations were conducted in phase 1 and completed by July 2021. Recruitment of healthy volunteers began in August 2021 and concluded in September 2021. In December 2021, our findings from phase 2 were accepted for publication. Phase 3 recruitment began in January 2022 and is expected to conclude in September 2022. The data analysis from phase 3 is expected to be completed by November 2022. Conclusions Our findings will help differentiate the usability, CWL, and performance of the DCE and BWS within the prototypes. These findings will contribute to the optimization of the prototypes, leading to the development of an EHT that helps facilitate shared decision making. This evaluation will inform the development of EHTs to be used clinically with patients and health care workers. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/39586
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Cole
- Carolina Health Informatics Program, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Daniel R Richardson
- University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Karthik Adapa
- Division of Healthcare Engineering, Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Amro Khasawneh
- Industrial Engineering Department, School of Engineering, Mercer University, Macon, GA, United States
| | - Norah Crossnohere
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - John F P Bridges
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Lukasz Mazur
- Division of Healthcare Engineering, Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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7
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Artioli G, Ghirotto L, Alquati S, Tanzi S. Behavioral Patterns in Breaking Bad News Communication: An Ethnographic Study with Hematologists. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:2585. [PMID: 35270277 PMCID: PMC8910064 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19052585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Hematologists adequately disclosing bad news is a critical point precluding patient-centered communication. Specific courses on communication for hematologists seem to be rare, as well as research exploring their communicative skills and patterns. We aim at describing the hematologists' behavior during difficult conversations to account for behavioral patterns in communication and provide new insights regarding teaching skills to communicate bad news. We employed a focused visual ethnography to answer the following research: "what are hematologists' behavioral patterns in communicating bad news to patients and families?" The collected data included (1) video recordings, (2) observational field notes, (3) interviews with hematologists. The analysis highlighted four patterns: (1) a technical-defensive pattern, (2) an authoritative pattern, (3) a relational-recursive pattern, and (4) a compassionate sharing pattern. Hematologists seem to have difficulty expressing compassionate caring and empathetic comprehension. Communication skills remain a challenge for hematologists. The study of behavioral patterns can lead to increasingly targeted training interventions for this specific learner population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Artioli
- Palliative Care Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (S.A.); (S.T.)
| | - Luca Ghirotto
- Qualitative Research Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy;
| | - Sara Alquati
- Palliative Care Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (S.A.); (S.T.)
| | - Silvia Tanzi
- Palliative Care Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (S.A.); (S.T.)
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8
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“You have to be sure that the patient has the full picture”: Adaptation of the Best Case/Worst Case communication tool for geriatric oncology. J Geriatr Oncol 2022; 13:606-613. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jgo.2022.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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9
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Vaughn DM, Johnson PC, Jagielo AD, Topping CEW, Reynolds MJ, Kavanaugh AR, Webb JA, Fathi AT, Hobbs G, Brunner A, O'Connor N, Luger S, Bhatnagar B, LeBlanc TW, El-Jawahri A. Factors Associated with Health Care Utilization at the End of Life for Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. J Palliat Med 2021; 25:749-756. [PMID: 34861118 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2021.0249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Patients (≥60 years) with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) often receive intense health care utilization at the end of life (EOL). However, factors associated with their health care use at the EOL are unknown. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of 168 deceased patients with AML within the United States. We assessed quality of life (QOL) (Functional-Assessment-Cancer-Therapy-Leukemia), and psychological distress (Hospital-Anxiety-and-Depression Scale [HADS]; Patient-Health-Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9]) at diagnosis. We used multivariable logistic regression models to examine the association between patient-reported factors and the following outcomes: (1) hospitalizations in the last 7 days of life, (2) receipt of chemotherapy in the last 30 days of life, and (3) hospice utilization. Results: About 66.7% (110/165) were hospitalized in the last 7 days of life, 51.8% (71/137) received chemotherapy in the last 30 days of life, and 40.7% (70/168) utilized hospice. In multivariable models, higher education (odds ratio [OR] = 1.54, p = 0.006) and elevated baseline depression symptoms (PHQ-9: OR = 1.09, p = 0.028) were associated with higher odds of hospitalization in the last seven days of life, while higher baseline QOL (OR = 0.98, p = 0.009) was associated with lower odds of hospitalization at the EOL. Higher baseline depression symptoms were associated with receipt of chemotherapy at the EOL (HADS-Depression: OR = 1.10, p = 0.042). Higher education was associated with lower hospice utilization (OR = 0.356, p = 0.024). Conclusions: Patients with AML who are more educated, with higher baseline depression symptoms and lower QOL, were more likely to experience high health care utilization at the EOL. These populations may benefit from interventions to optimize the quality of their EOL care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagny M Vaughn
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - P Connor Johnson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Annemarie D Jagielo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Carlisle E W Topping
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Matthew J Reynolds
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alison R Kavanaugh
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jason A Webb
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Amir T Fathi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gabriela Hobbs
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Andrew Brunner
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nina O'Connor
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Selina Luger
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Bhavana Bhatnagar
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, West Virginia University Cancer Institute, Wheeling Hospital, Wheeling, West Virginia, USA
| | - Thomas W LeBlanc
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Areej El-Jawahri
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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10
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Withdrawal: "Assessment of prognostic understanding, perceived goals of care, and quality of life in hospitalized patients with leukemia or multiple myeloma" Olivia S. Allen, Nina Kim, Jose Morillo, Cardinale B. Smith. Cancer 2021; 127:4316. [PMID: 33891716 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.33599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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11
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Wedding U. Palliative care of patients with haematological malignancies: strategies to overcome difficulties via integrated care. THE LANCET HEALTHY LONGEVITY 2021; 2:e746-e753. [DOI: 10.1016/s2666-7568(21)00213-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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12
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Portable Medical Orders and End of Life Measures in Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndromes. Blood Adv 2021; 5:5554-5564. [PMID: 34525170 PMCID: PMC8714721 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2021004775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with AML or MDS often receive high-intensity care near EOL, including admission to the hospital/ICU and life-sustaining treatments. Completion of a portable medical order form >30 days before death was associated with lower intensity care near the end of life.
Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or a myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) experience high rates of hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and in-hospital death at the end of life. Early goals-of-care (GOC) discussions may reduce the intensity of end-of-life (EOL) care. Portable Medical Order forms, known as Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST) forms in New York state, assist patients in translating GOC discussions into specific medical orders that communicate their wishes during a medical emergency. To determine whether the timing of completion of a MOLST form is associated with EOL care in patients with AML or MDS, we conducted a retrospective study of 358 adult patients with AML or MDS treated at a single academic center and its affiliated sites, who died during a 5-year period. One-third of patients completed at least 1 MOLST form >30 days before death. Compared with patients who completed a MOLST form within 30 days of death or never, those who completed a MOLST form >30 days before death were less likely to receive transfusion (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.39; P < .01), chemotherapy (AOR, 0.24; P < .01), or life-sustaining treatments (AOR, 0.21; P < .01) or to be admitted to the ICU (AOR, 0.21; P < .01) at EOL. They were also more likely to use hospice services (AOR, 2.72; P < .01). Earlier MOLST form completion was associated with lower intensity of care near EOL in patients with MDS or AML.
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Kuczmarski TM, Odejide OO. Goal of a "Good Death" in End-of-Life Care for Patients with Hematologic Malignancies-Are We Close? Curr Hematol Malig Rep 2021; 16:117-125. [PMID: 33864180 DOI: 10.1007/s11899-021-00629-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The medical field has a critical role not only in prolonging life but also in helping patients achieve a good death. Early studies assessing end-of-life quality indicators to capture if a good death occurred demonstrated low rates of hospice use and high rates of intensive healthcare utilization near death among patients with hematologic malignancies, raising concerns about the quality of death. In this review, we examine trends in end-of-life care for patients with hematologic malignancies to determine if we are close to the goal of a good death. RECENT FINDINGS Several cohort studies show that patients with blood cancers are often inadequately prepared for the dying process due to late goals of care discussions and they experience low rates of palliative and hospice care. More recent analyses of population-based data demonstrate some improvements over time, with significantly more patients receiving palliative care, enrolling in hospice, and having the opportunity to die at home compared to a decade ago. These encouraging trends are paradoxically accompanied by concomitant increases in late hospice enrollment and intensive healthcare utilization near death. Although we are closer to the goal of a good death for patients with hematologic malignancies, there is ample room for growth. To close the gap between the current state of care and a good death, we need research that engages patients, caregivers, hematologic oncologists, and policy-makers to develop innovative interventions that improve timeliness of goals of care discussions, expand palliative care integration, and increase hospice use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas M Kuczmarski
- Department of Internal Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Oreofe O Odejide
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
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14
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Loh KP, Soto-Perez-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 2021; 127:149-159. [PMID: 33036063 PMCID: PMC7736110 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.33259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [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, USA
| | - Enrique Soto-Perez-de-Celis
- Department of Geriatrics, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Medicas y Nutricion Salvador Zubiran, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Paul R. Duberstein
- Department of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Eva Culakova
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Ronald M. Epstein
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
- Department of Medicine|Palliative Care, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Huiwen Xu
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
- Department of Surgery|Cancer Control, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Sindhuja Kadambi
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Marie Flannery
- School of Nursing, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Allison Magnuson
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Colin McHugh
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Kelly M. Trevino
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Gina Tuch
- Department of Aged Care, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Erika Ramsdale
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Reza Yousefi-Nooraie
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Margaret Sedenquist
- SCOREboard Advisory Group, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Jane Jijun Liu
- Heartland National Cancer Institute (NCI) Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP), USA
| | | | - Jodi Geer
- Metro Minnesota Community Oncology Research Program, USA
| | - Supriya G. Mohile
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
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15
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Odejide OO. Strategies for introducing palliative care in the management of relapsed or refractory aggressive lymphomas. HEMATOLOGY. AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEMATOLOGY. EDUCATION PROGRAM 2020; 2020:148-153. [PMID: 33275720 PMCID: PMC7727542 DOI: 10.1182/hematology.2020000100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in treatment of patients with aggressive lymphomas ranging from chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy to combination of antibody-drug conjugates with chemotherapy have improved survival outcomes. Despite these significant advances, patients with relapsed or refractory disease experience high physical and psychological symptom burden, and a substantial proportion still die of their lymphoma. In addition, end-of-life care outcomes are suboptimal with high rates of intensive end-of-life health care use and low rates of timely hospice enrollment. Integrating palliative care concurrently with disease-directed care for this patient population has strong potential to improve their symptom burden, quality of life, and end-of-life care. Multiple factors, including heightened prognostic uncertainty in the setting of relapsed/refractory disease, pose challenges to timely provision of palliative care. This article reviews benefits of primary and specialty palliative care for patients with relapsed/refractory aggressive lymphomas and barriers to such care. It also highlights strategies for effectively integrating palliative care for patients with relapsed/refractory aggressive lymphomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oreofe O Odejide
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA; and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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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: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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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Bergerot CD, Battle D, Philip EJ, Bergerot PG, Msaouel P, Smith A'B, Bamgboje AE, Shuch B, Derweesh IH, Jonasch E, Stern AP, Pal SK, Staehler M. Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Patients With Localized Renal Cell Carcinoma. JCO Oncol Pract 2020; 16:e1264-e1271. [PMID: 32955409 DOI: 10.1200/op.20.00105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Patients with cancer commonly report distress and fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) impacting quality of life and clinical outcomes. This study aims to test the association between emotional well-being and clinical characteristics of survivors with localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Survivors with localized RCC were invited to participate in this study through social media by the Kidney Cancer Research Alliance. Participants self-reported clinical characteristics, distress (Distress Thermometer), and FCR (Fear of Cancer Recurrence-7). Ordinal regression was used to test the association between emotional well-being and patient characteristics. RESULTS A total of 412 survivors were included in this analysis. Participants were mostly female (79.4%) and well educated (58.3%), with a median age of 54 years (range, 30-80 years) and median time since diagnosis of 17.5 months. More than one half were diagnosed with stage I disease (56.1%). Most patients (62.3%) had a clear understanding of their diagnosis. A high prevalence of moderate to severe distress (67.0%) and FCR (54.9%) was reported across all survivors of RCC. Higher FCR was associated with female gender, younger age, and lack of understanding of their diagnosis (P = .001), whereas more recent diagnosis was associated with higher distress levels (P = .01). CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that FCR is a common problem that is persistent after therapy and that certain individuals, including female and younger patients, may be at particular risk of experiencing clinically relevant FCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiane Decat Bergerot
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA
| | - Dena Battle
- Kidney Cancer Research Alliance, Alexandria, VA
| | - Errol J Philip
- University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Paulo Gustavo Bergerot
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA
| | - Pavlos Msaouel
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Allan 'Ben' Smith
- Centre for Oncology Education and Research Translation, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Adeola Esther Bamgboje
- Centre for Oncology Education and Research Translation, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Brian Shuch
- Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, University of California Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
| | | | - Eric Jonasch
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | | | - Sumanta K Pal
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA
| | - Michael Staehler
- Department of Urology, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
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18
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Loh KP, Xu H, Epstein RM, Mohile SG, Prigerson HG, Plumb S, Ladwig S, Kadambi S, Wong ML, McHugh C, An A, Trevino K, Saeed F, Duberstein PR. Associations of Caregiver-Oncologist Discordance in Prognostic Understanding With Caregiver-Reported Therapeutic Alliance and Anxiety. J Pain Symptom Manage 2020; 60:20-27. [PMID: 32061833 PMCID: PMC7311277 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Discordance in prognostic understanding between caregivers of adults with advanced cancer and the oncologist may shape caregivers' views of the oncologist and bereavement outcomes. OBJECTIVES We examined prospective associations of caregiver-oncologist discordance with caregiver-oncologist therapeutic alliance and caregiver anxiety after patient death. METHODS We conducted a secondary analysis of data collected in a cluster randomized controlled trial from August 2012 to June 2014 in Western New York and California. At enrollment, caregivers and oncologists used a seven-point scale to rate their beliefs about the patient's curability and living two years or more: 100%, about 90%, about 75%, about 50 of 50, about 25%, about 10%, and 0%. Discordance was defined as a difference of two points or more. Outcomes at seven months after patient death included caregiver-oncologist therapeutic alliance (The Human Connection scale, modified into five items) and caregiver anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7). We conducted multivariable linear regression models to assess the independent associations of discordance with alliance and anxiety. RESULTS We included 97 caregivers (mean age 63) and 38 oncologists; 41% of caregiver-oncologist dyads had discordant beliefs about the patient's curability, and 63% of caregiver-oncologist dyads had discordant beliefs about living two years or more. On multivariate analysis, discordance in beliefs about curability was associated with lower anxiety (β = -2.20; SE 0.77; P = 0.005). Discordance in beliefs about length of life was associated with a weaker alliance (β = -5.87; SE = 2.56; P = 0.02). CONCLUSION A better understanding of how caregivers understand and come to terms with poor prognoses will guide interventions to improve cancer care delivery and outcomes of cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kah Poh Loh
- James P Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA.
| | - Huiwen Xu
- James P Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Ronald M Epstein
- James P Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA; Department of Family Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA; Department of Medicine, Palliative Care, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Supriya G Mohile
- James P Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Holly G Prigerson
- Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA; Cornell Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sandra Plumb
- James P Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Susan Ladwig
- Department of Medicine, Palliative Care, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Sindhuja Kadambi
- James P Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Melisa L Wong
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Colin McHugh
- James P Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Amy An
- Department of Medicine, Palliative Care, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Kelly Trevino
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Fahad Saeed
- Department of Medicine, Palliative Care, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA; Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Paul R Duberstein
- Department of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
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