Apoyo con Cariño (support with caring): RCT protocol to improve palliative care outcomes for Latinos with advanced medical illness

Palliative Care Clinical Trials in Underrepresented Ethnic and Racial Minorities: A Narrative Review

Introduction: A growing number of patients with serious illness who would benefit from palliative care are part of ethnoracial minority groups. Nevertheless, large disparities in provision of palliative services exist for minoritized populations. Furthermore, there is a relative dearth of palliative care research focused on minority groups and how best to provide high-quality, culturally tailored palliative care. The aim of this narrative review is to summarize the existing literature regarding palliative care clinical trials in underrepresented minority populations, describe methodological approaches, and provide guidance on future palliative care-focused clinical trials. Methods: We used the Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA) and Cochrane's guidelines on conducting reviews. We used PubMed and Clinicaltrials.gov to review published, full-text articles or protocols (1950-2022), and limited to palliative care interventions focused on ethnoracial minority populations. We included randomized clinical trials (RCTs), including pilot and feasibility trials, protocols of RCTs, and studies that report RCT methodology. Two reviewers independently assessed eligibility. Results: Our search yielded 585 publications; of these, 30 met the full-text review criteria and 16 studies met our criteria for inclusion. We deemed nine articles as having low risk of bias and four as having high risk of bias. Discussion: Commonly used methodologic approaches for clinical trials in underrepresented minority populations included the following: the use of written and visual materials that were no higher than a sixth-grade reading level, the use of patient and lay health navigators, bilingual and multicultural study staff and study materials, race-concordant staff, the option of in-person and virtual visits that accommodated the patient and family's schedule, recruitment from faith communities, and the use of community-engaged research principles. Future palliative care clinical trials should expand on the strategies described in this article, adopt effective strategies currently used in nonpalliative care interventions, and innovate around the principles of community-engaged research.

Patient Navigator Intervention to Improve Palliative Care Outcomes for Hispanic Patients With Serious Noncancer Illness: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Disparities persist across the trajectory of serious illness, including at the end of life. Patient navigation has been shown to reduce disparities and improve outcomes for underserved populations.

Objective

To determine the effectiveness of a lay patient navigator intervention, Apoyo con Cariño, in improving palliative care outcomes among Hispanic patients.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This was a multicenter randomized clinical trial that took place across academic, nonprofit, safety-net, and community health care systems in urban, rural, and mountain/frontier regions of Colorado from January 2017 to January 2021. Self-identifying Hispanic adults with serious noncancer medical illness and limited prognosis were recruited. Data were collected and analyzed from July 2022 to July 2023.

Interventions

Participants randomized to the intervention group received 5 home visits from a bilingual, bicultural lay patient navigator; participants randomized to control received care as usual. Both groups received culturally tailored educational materials. Investigators/outcome accessors remained blinded to participant assignment.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Change in score from baseline to 3 months on the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT) General quality of life (QOL) scale (primary outcome), Advance Care Planning (ACP) Engagement Survey, Brief Pain Inventory, Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale, and FACIT Spiritual Well-Being subscale; at 6 months, advance directive (AD) documentation; and at 46 months or death, hospice utilization and length of stay, as well as aggressiveness of care at end of life.

Results

Of 209 patients enrolled (mean [SD] age, 63.6 [14.3] years; 108 [51.7%] male), 105 patients were randomized to control and 104 patients to the intervention. There were no statistically significant differences in the change in mean (SD) QOL score between the intervention and control groups (5.0 [16.5] vs 4.3 [15.5]; P = .75). Participants in the intervention group, compared with the control group, had statistically significant greater increases in mean (SD) ACP engagement (0.8 [1.3] vs 0.1 [1.4]; P < .001) and were more likely to have a documented AD (62 of 104 [59.6%] vs 28 of 105 [26.9%]; P < .001). There were no statistically significant differences in mean (SD) change in pain intensity score (0-10) between patients in the intervention group compared with control (-0.4 [2.6] vs -0.5 [2.8]; P = .79), nor pain interference (-0.2 [3.7] vs -0.4 [3.7]; P = .71). Patients receiving the intervention were more likely to be referred to hospice compared with patients receiving control (19 of 43 patients [44.2%] vs 7 of 33 patients [21.2%]; P = .04) and less likely to receive aggressive care at end of life (27 of 42 patients [64.3%] vs 28 of 33 patients [84.8%]; P = .046).

Conclusion and Relevance

In this randomized clinical trial, a culturally tailored patient navigator intervention did not improve QOL for patients. However, the intervention did increase ACP engagement, AD documentation, and hospice utilization in Hispanic persons with serious medical illness.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03181750.

Reality of Family Caregiving for Hispanics With Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias: A Qualitative Analysis

Background: Underserved Hispanic patients often experience unmet palliative care (PC) needs, particularly those with noncancer diagnoses such as Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Most caregivers for Hispanic patients are family relatives who are less likely to use health care and community resources and experience high caregiver burden. We adapted a culturally tailored patient navigator (PN) intervention to provide support and improve PC outcomes for Hispanics with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and their family caregivers (FCGs). Objectives: To explore Hispanic FCGs' experiences and perceptions of caregiving for a loved one, and how our PN intervention impacted their needs. Design: Qualitative descriptive. Setting/Subjects: FCG participants (n = 10) from our randomized control trial's intervention group were recruited from academic and safety net hospitals and community-based clinics across urban and rural Colorado in the United States. Measurements: Data obtained from individual, semistructured, 30-minute telephone interviews were recorded, transcribed, translated, and analyzed using NVivo and qualitative thematic analyses. Results: Four major themes emerged: Methods of Support, Cultural Expectations and Varying Family Contributions, Lack of Self-Care, and Awareness. Subthemes highlighted differing definitions of "contributing," role resentment, and interpersonal issues. Varying familial expectations underscore FCG strain when the burden of caregiving is not shared. Participants used various coping strategies as necessary support and gained awareness through education, guidance, and referrals to resources. Conclusions: PNs helped FCGs and patients beyond the intervention's scope. Providing support and awareness to FCGs, and incorporating cultural beliefs, may improve PC access to disparate populations and guide future interventions. Clinical Trial Registration Number NCT03181750.

Latino advanced cancer patients' prognostic awareness and familial cultural influences on advance care planning engagement: a qualitative study

Background

Advanced cancer patients need an accurate understanding of their prognoses in order to engage in informed end-of-life care treatment decision-making. Latino cancer patients experience disparities around prognostic understanding, in part due to a lack of culturally competent communication around prognosis and advance care planning (ACP).

Objective

The objective of the present study of Latino patients with advanced, terminally ill cancer is to examine their understanding of prognosis, and how cultural factors may influence this understanding and engagement in ACP.

Methods

A mixed methods study was conducted, which consisted of surveys and semi-structured interviews. Descriptive statistics were used for sociodemographic information and self-reported prognostic understanding. Interviews around prognostic understanding and cultural influences on this understanding and engagement in ACP were recorded, transcribed, and then coded and analyzed using thematic content analysis.

Findings

Latino patients with advanced cancer (n = 20) completed a self-reported survey and participated in a semi-structured interview. Results indicate that among terminally ill patients, 50% of the patients inaccurately believed they had early-stage cancer, 85% did not believe their cancer was terminal, and 70% believed their cancer was curable. Moreover, interviews yielded two main themes: varying levels of awareness of the incurability of their cancer and diverse end-of-life care decision-making and treatment preferences based on prognostic understanding. Within these themes, patients expressed denial or acceptance of their prognosis through communication with the oncologist, the importance of family, and incorporating their pre-existing beliefs.

Conclusion

Findings indicate the importance of communication, family involvement, and incorporation of beliefs for promoting an accurate prognostic understanding among Latino patients. It is imperative to address disparities in Latino advanced cancer patients' prognostic understanding so they can engage in informed treatment decision-making around end-of-life care.

Using Participatory Action Research to Sustain Palliative Care Knowledge and Readiness Among Latino Community Leaders

OBJECTIVE

We examined the effectiveness of nurse-led training on palliative care knowledge and advance care planning readiness with Latino leaders.

METHODS

As part of a larger participatory action research study, we used a one-group, pretest-posttest design to evaluate Latino leaders' preparation to share information during home visits with Latinos with advanced cancer. Using Spanish and English materials, 2 palliative care nurse specialists provided a 10-hour training plus a 6-month, post-training booster session. The Palliative Care Knowledge Scale (PaCKS) was administered at baseline (T0), post-training (T1), and 10 months post-training (T2). The Advance Care Planning and Engagement Survey (ACPES) was administered at T0 and T2.

RESULTS

Among the 15 leaders, 93% were women and 73% were of Mexican heritage. There was a significant increase in the PaCKS score between T0 and T1 (Md_T0 = 10; Md_T1 = 12, z = -2.15, p_exact = .031) and T0 and T2 (z = -2.49, p_exact = .008) with a medium-to-large effect size (r = .45). There was a significant increase in ACPES scores between T0 and T2.

CONCLUSIONS

Nurse-led training of Latino community leaders improves palliative care knowledge and may bolster the palliative care infrastructure in emerging Latino communities.

Transitioning to Remote Recruitment and Intervention: A Tale of Two Palliative Care Research Studies Enrolling Underserved Populations During COVID-19

CONTEXT

During the COVID-19 pandemic, community-based research studies experienced prolonged shutdowns unless able to pivot to remote study procedures.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the revision of two National Institutes of Health funded community-based palliative-focused clinical trials serving underserved populations to accommodate remote subject enrollment and examine its impact.

METHODS

Transitioning to remote processes required multiple protocol and procedural changes including: altering informed consent processes; reducing the number of surveys administered; adding internet access as an inclusion criterion. To understand technological challenges, a screening tool was developed for one study to identify potentially eligible subjects' technology abilities and accessibility.

RESULTS

Subjects' limited access to the internet and internet-enabled devices and discomfort with technology led to changes in recruitment patterns. Lack of familiarity with technology increased the amount of time it took research team members and subjects to connect remotely. Patients with significant cognitive and/or sensory deficits were at higher risk of experiencing fatigue during remote study visits leading to streamlining of data collection. A researcher-developed technology screening tool found that potential subjects were not comfortable with videoconferencing through Zoom expressing a preference for phone visits. Reduced travel time made scheduling remote study visits more efficient.

CONCLUSION

Future community- and home-based palliative care trials must consider the best way to utilize remote recruitment, enrollment, and data collection processes to increase efficiency and reduce costs. Researchers should consider technology accessibility and train staff to ensure the greatest possible opportunity to recruit underserved populations who have traditionally been underrepresented in research studies.

Apoyo con Cariño: A Qualitative Analysis of a Palliative Care-Focused Lay Patient Navigation Intervention for Hispanics With Advanced Cancer

A lay patient navigator model involving a culturally tailored intervention to improve palliative care outcomes for Hispanics with advanced cancer was tested across 3 urban and 5 rural cancer centers in Colorado. Five home visits were delivered over 3 months to 112 patients assigned to the randomized controlled trial's intervention arm. Grounded in core Hispanic values, visits addressed palliative care domains (advance care planning, pain/symptom management, and hospice utilization). To describe the content of patient navigator visits with patients/family caregivers, research team members analyzed 4 patient navigators' field notes comprising 499 visits to 112 patients. Based on previous work, codes were established a priori to identify ways patient navigators help patients/family caregivers. Key words and comments from field notes were classified into themes using ATLAS.ti and additional codes established. Nine common themes and exemplars describing the lay patient navigator role are described: activation/empowerment, advocacy, awareness, access, building rapport, providing support, exploring barriers, symptom screening, and the patient experience. Patient navigators used advocacy, activation, education, and motivational interviewing to address patient/family concerns and reduce barriers to quality palliative care in urban and rural settings. Adapting and implementing this model across cultures has potential to improve palliative care access to underserved populations.

Four Kinds of Hard: An Understanding of Cancer and Death among Latino Community Leaders

Early integration of palliative care after a diagnosis of cancer improves outcomes, yet such care for Latino populations is lacking in rural regions of the United States. We used a participatory action research design with Latino community leaders from emerging immigrant communities in North Carolina to explore sociocultural perspectives on cancer and death. Thematic analysis was conceptualized as Four Kinds of Hard represented by four themes: Receiving an Eviction Notice, Getting in the Good Book, Talking is (Sometimes) Taboo, and Seeing Their Pain Makes us Suffer. These themes captured fears of deportation, coping with cancer through faithfulness, ambivalence about advance care planning, and a desire to spare families from suffering. Findings suggest strategies to improve conversations about end-of-life wishes when facing advanced illness and death. This study demonstrates the importance of training Latino community leaders to improve palliative care and bridge service gaps for Latino families living in emerging rural communities.

Community-Based Conversations about Advance Care Planning for Underserved Populations Using Lay Patient Navigators

Background: Widespread community engagement in advance care planning (ACP) is needed to overcome barriers to ACP implementation. Objective: Develop, implement, and evaluate a model for community-based ACP in rural populations with low English language fluency and health care access using lay patient navigators. Design: A statewide initiative to improve ACP setting/subjects-trained in a group session approach, bilingual patient navigators facilitated 1-hour English and Spanish ACP sessions discussing concerns about choosing a surrogate decision maker and completing an advance directive (AD). Participants received bilingual informational materials, including Frequently Asked Questions, an AD in English or Spanish, and Goal Setting worksheet. Measurement: Participants completed a program evaluation and 4-item ACP Engagement Survey (ACP-4) postsession. Results: For 18 months, 74 ACP sessions engaged 1034 participants in urban, rural, and frontier areas of the state; 39% were ethnically diverse, 69% female. A nurse or physician co-facilitated 49% of sessions. Forty-seven percent of participants completed an ACP-4 with 29% planning to name a decision maker in the next 6 months and 21% in the next 30 days; 31% were ready to complete an AD in the next 6 months and 22% in the next 30 days. Evaluations showed 98% were satisfied with sessions. Thematic analysis of interviews with facilitators highlighted barriers to delivering an ACP community-based initiative, strategies used to build community buy-in and engagement, and ways success was measured. Conclusion: Patient navigators effectively engaged underserved and ethnically diverse rural populations in community-based settings. This model can be adapted to improve ACP in other underserved populations.

"Find Out What They Lack, Try to Provide": A Qualitative Investigation of Palliative Care Services Adapted to Local Need in a Low-Resource Setting

Background: People in low- and middle-income countries with serious health problems rarely have access to palliative care. Promising models of palliative care delivery have emerged in India despite widespread poverty and poor health care infrastructure. Objective: To explore structural and philosophical aspects of palliative care delivery in a low-resource setting. Design: One author spent six months as a participant observer at Pallium India (PI), a nongovernmental organization recognized for leadership in palliative care delivery in Kerala, India. We collected administrative data, conducted semistructured interviews with key stakeholders, and observed clinical encounters and other organization-led events. Results: We performed 73 interviews with patients, families, clinicians, staff, and volunteers, and observed 180 patient encounters. The majority of palliative care patients did not have cancer. Many had chronic diseases that were not immediately life threatening. Services addressed a broad range of patients' medical, psychological, social, and/or financial needs. PI's care delivery maximizes accessibility. Conclusions: PI employs an expansive definition of palliative care and adapts services to respond to patients' diverse needs. This accessible, people-centered care is necessary in low-resource settings to alleviate multifaceted suffering caused by gaps in the health care system, poor social support, and poverty.