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Abdallah M, Jensen-Battaglia M, Patil A, Digiovanni G, Sanapala C, Watson E, LoCastro M, Wang Y, Mortaz-Hedjri S, Magnuson A, Ramsdale E, McHugh C, Loh KP. Prognostic awareness and willingness to explore prognosis in older adults with cancer. J Geriatr Oncol 2024; 15:101810. [PMID: 38823374 PMCID: PMC11227389 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgo.2024.101810] [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: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prognostic awareness varies widely among older adults with cancer. Accurate prognostic awareness helps to ensure delivery of care that is aligned with the patient's goals. Understanding factors associated with poor prognostic awareness in older adults with cancer may help identify which patients may need interventions to improve prognostic awareness. In this study, we assessed factors associated with poor prognostic awareness in older adults with cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of older patients with cancer referred to a geriatric oncology clinic at the University of Rochester. We provided paper questionnaires for patients to complete prior to their clinic assessment. Questionnaires asked patients to estimate their overall life expectancy and the life expectancy of a person of the same age with normal health. Prognostic awareness was considered poor if patients estimated living at least as long as a person of the same age with normal health. We assessed independent demographic and clinical variables (age, sex, race, income, religion, living situation, education, marital status, and cancer type and stage), aging-related factors (comorbidities, cognition, depression, social support, nutritional status, and physical function), and willingness to discuss prognosis. Factors significant at p ≤ 0.15 on bivariate analyses were included in the multivariable logistic regression model. RESULTS We included 257 patients; the mean age was 80 years (standard deviation [SD] 6.8, range 55-97), 37% were female, 71% were White, and 44% were married. Nearly two-thirds of patients (62%) had poor prognostic awareness: 7% estimated they would live longer than and 55% estimated they would live as long as a person of the same age with normal health. Half (49%) were willing to discuss prognosis, 29% were not, and 22% did not answer. On multivariable analysis, factors associated with poor prognostic awareness were older age [one-year increase; adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.12], race other than White (AOR 2.35, 95% CI 1.09-5.06), unwillingness to discuss prognosis (AOR 3.33, 95% CI 1.54-7.18), and stage I-III cancer (vs. stage IV, AOR 3.83, 95% CI 1.8-8.17). DISCUSSION In a cohort of older patients with cancer, approximately two-thirds had poor prognostic awareness. Older age, race other than White, stage I-III cancer, and unwillingness to discuss prognosis were associated with higher odds of poor prognostic awareness. Interventions aiming to improve patients' prognostic awareness may need to gauge patients' willingness to discuss prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Abdallah
- Section of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, USA.
| | | | - Amita Patil
- Center of Infectious Disease and Nursing Innovation, Johns Hopkins University, School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Grace Digiovanni
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, USA.
| | - Chandrika Sanapala
- Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, USA.
| | - Erin Watson
- Department of Psychology, Princeton University, Princeton, USA.
| | - Marissa LoCastro
- School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA.
| | - Soroush Mortaz-Hedjri
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA; Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, USA.
| | - Allison Magnuson
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, USA.
| | - Erika Ramsdale
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, USA.
| | - Colin McHugh
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, USA.
| | - Kah Poh Loh
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, USA.
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Hasegawa T, Okuyama T, Uemura T, Matsuda Y, Otani H, Shimizu J, Horio Y, Watanabe N, Yamaguchi T, Fukuda S, Oguri T, Maeno K, Inagaki Y, Nosaki K, Fukumitsu K, Akechi T. Unrealistic expectations and disclosure of incurability in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Support Care Cancer 2024; 32:421. [PMID: 38856947 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-024-08630-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Determining whether patients' unrealistic expectations of chemotherapy as a cure were associated with their perception of the disclosure of incurability. METHODS This prospective study included consecutive patients with pretreated non-small cell lung cancer from four study sites. Patients and their oncologists were asked whether they perceived the disclosure of cancer incurability. Patients were also asked if they thought that chemotherapy was curative. We followed up on whether the deceased patients received specialized palliative care 14 months after their last enrollment. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between the expectation of chemotherapy as a cure and patient/oncologist-reported perceptions of the disclosure of incurability. RESULTS We analyzed 200 patients, 77 (38.5%) of whom had unrealistic expectations of a cure. Based on patients' perceptions, incurability was disclosed to 138 (69.0%) patients, and based on their oncologists' perceptions, incurability was disclosed to 185 (92.5%) patients (patient/oncologist agreements, κ = 0.19). Patients without a perception of the oncologist's disclosure of incurability-regardless of their oncologist's perception-were more likely to have unrealistic expectations of a cure than patients for whom both patient and oncologist perceptions were present. Patients who had unrealistic expectations of chemotherapy as a cure were shown to be significantly less likely to have received specialized palliative care, after adjusting for covariates (adjusted OR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.23-0.91; p = .027). CONCLUSION Oncologists' disclosure of incurability was not fully recognized by patients, and expectations of chemotherapy as a cure were associated with patients' perception of the disclosure of incurability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takaaki Hasegawa
- Center for Psycho-oncology and Palliative Care, Nagoya City University Hospital, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan
| | - Toru Okuyama
- Center for Psycho-oncology and Palliative Care, Nagoya City University Hospital, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan.
- Department of Psychiatry and Cognitive-Behavioral Medicine, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan.
- Department of Psychiatry/Palliative Care Center, Nagoya City University West Medical Center, 1-1-1 Hirate-cho, Kita-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 462-8508, Japan.
| | - Takehiro Uemura
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, 1-1, Kanokoden, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8681, Japan
| | - Yoshinobu Matsuda
- Department of Psychosomatic Internal Medicine, NHO, Kinki-Chuo Chest Medical Center, 1180 Nagasnone-cho, Kita-ku, Sakai, Osaka, 591-8025, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Otani
- Department of Palliative Care Team, Palliative and Supportive Care, NHO Kyushu Cancer Center, 3-1-1 Notame, Mitami-ku, Fukuoka, Fukuoka, 811-1395, Japan
- Department of Palliative Care Team, Palliative and Supportive Care, St. Mary's Hospital, 422 Tsufukuhoncho, Kurume-shi, Fukuoka, 830-8543, Japan
| | - Junichi Shimizu
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, 1-1, Kanokoden, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8681, Japan
| | - Yoshitsugu Horio
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, 1-1, Kanokoden, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8681, Japan
| | - Naohiro Watanabe
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, 1-1, Kanokoden, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8681, Japan
| | - Teppei Yamaguchi
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, 1-1, Kanokoden, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8681, Japan
| | - Satoshi Fukuda
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Oguri
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan
- Department of Education and Research Center for Community Medicine, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan
| | - Ken Maeno
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan
| | - Yuji Inagaki
- Department of Internal Medicine, NHO, Kinki-Chuo Chest Medical Center, 1180 Nagasnone-cho, Kita-ku, Sakai, Osaka, 591-8025, Japan
| | - Kaname Nosaki
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, NHO Kyushu Cancer Center, 3-1-1 Notame, Minami-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka, 811-1395, Japan
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, 6-5-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa-shi, Chiba, 277-8577, Japan
| | - Kensuke Fukumitsu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Akechi
- Center for Psycho-oncology and Palliative Care, Nagoya City University Hospital, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan
- Department of Psychiatry and Cognitive-Behavioral Medicine, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan
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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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Hasegawa T, Okuyama T, Akechi T. The trajectory of prognostic cognition in patients with advanced cancer: is the traditional advance care planning approach desirable for patients? Jpn J Clin Oncol 2024; 54:507-515. [PMID: 38336476 PMCID: PMC11075734 DOI: 10.1093/jjco/hyae006] [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: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Most patients with advanced cancer initially express a desire to be informed of their prognosis, and prognostic discussions between patients and their oncologists can trigger the subsequent trajectory of prognostic cognitions. On the continuum of prognostic cognition, including inaccurate/accurate prognostic awareness (awareness of incurability of cancer, terminal nature of illness or life expectancy) and prognostic acceptance (accepting one's prognosis), patients' perceptions of being informed of their prognosis by oncologists and patients' coping strategy for serious medical conditions regulate prognostic cognitions. However, nearly half of the patients with advanced cancer have poor prognostic awareness, and few patients achieve prognostic acceptance. These phenomena partly act as barriers to participation in advance care planning. When oncologists engage in advance care planning conversations, they must assess the patient's prognostic cognition and readiness for advance care planning. Considering the inaccurate prognostic awareness in a non-negligible proportion of patients and that astatic patients' preferences for future treatment and care are influenced by prognostic cognition, more research on decision-making support processes for high-quality and goal-concordant end-of-life care is needed along with research of advance care planning. In addition to making decisions regarding future medical treatment and care, oncologists must engage in continuous and dynamic goal-of-care conversations with empathic communication skills and compassion from diagnosis to end-of-life care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takaaki Hasegawa
- Center for Psycho-oncology and Palliative Care, Nagoya City University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Toru Okuyama
- Department of Psychiatry and Cognitive-Behavioral Medicine, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Psychiatry/Palliative Care Center, Nagoya City University West Medical Center, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Akechi
- Center for Psycho-oncology and Palliative Care, Nagoya City University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Psychiatry and Cognitive-Behavioral Medicine, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
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Putranto R, Shatri H, Irawan C, Gondhowiardjo S, Finkelstein E, Malhotra C, Ozdemir S, Teo I, Yang GM. The association of prognostic awareness with quality of life, spiritual well-being, psychological distress, and pain severity in patients with advanced cancer: Results from the APPROACH Study in Indonesia. Palliat Support Care 2024:1-7. [PMID: 38450453 DOI: 10.1017/s1478951524000269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Advanced cancer patients' understanding of their illness is key for making informed treatment decisions. Despite the known importance of patients' awareness of their disease prognosis, it is debatable whether this awareness is positively, negatively, or not associated with clinical and psychological outcomes among patients with advanced cancer. This paper aims to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with prognostic awareness and its association with quality of life (QoL), spiritual well-being, pain control, and psychological distress in patients with advanced cancer in Indonesia. METHODS This cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was part of a multicountry study titled "Asian Patient Perspectives Regarding Oncology Awareness, Care and Health (APPROACH)." Patients were asked what they knew about their cancer and treatment. QoL and spiritual well-being were measured using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General (FACT-G) and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Spiritual Well-being (FACIT-Sp) questionnaire. Psychological distress experienced by patients was recorded via the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Pain severity was also assessed. Data from 160 patients were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariable regression models. RESULTS Of the 160 patients who participated, 55 (34.4%) were unaware of their cancer stage. Those who were aware of their stage of cancer were younger than those who were not aware (45.7 years vs 50.4 years, p = .015). There was no significant difference in spiritual well-being and other domains of QoL between those who were aware and those who were not aware of their advanced cancer stage. There was also no significant difference in anxiety depression or pain severity, even after adjustment for demographic and clinical characteristics. SIGNIFICANT OF RESULTS Given the high prevalence of patients who wrongly thought their cancer was curable, more could be done to improve disease and prognostic understanding among patients with advanced cancer in Indonesia. Those who were aware of their advanced cancer stage did not have a poorer QoL, nor did they have more anxiety or depression than those who were unaware. This finding suggests that concerns about the negative impact of prognostic disclosure may be unfounded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudi Putranto
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Hamzah Shatri
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Cosphiadi Irawan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Soehartati Gondhowiardjo
- Department of Radiotherapy, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Eric Finkelstein
- Lien Centre for Palliative Care, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Chetna Malhotra
- Lien Centre for Palliative Care, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Semra Ozdemir
- Lien Centre for Palliative Care, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Irene Teo
- Lien Centre for Palliative Care, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
- Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre, Singapore
| | - Grace Meijuan Yang
- Lien Centre for Palliative Care, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
- Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre, Singapore
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Wen FH, Hou MM, Su PJ, Shen WC, Chou WC, Chen JS, Chang WC, Tang ST. Factors of preparedness for loss from cancer among Taiwanese family caregivers. DEATH STUDIES 2024; 48:630-639. [PMID: 38236991 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2024.2305340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
This cohort study investigated factors associated with 336 Taiwanese family caregivers' emotional and cognitive preparedness for death of a loved one with terminal cancer. Caregivers' death-preparedness states (no-death-preparedness [as reference], cognitive-death-preparedness-only, emotional-death-preparedness-only, and sufficient-death-preparedness states) were previously identified. Associations of factors with these states were determined by a hierarchical generalized linear model. Financial hardship decreased caregivers' likelihood for the emotional-death-preparedness-only and sufficient-death-preparedness states. Physician prognostic disclosure increased membership in the cognitive-death-preparedness-only and sufficient-death-preparedness states. The better the quality of the patient-caregiver relationship, the higher the odds for the emotional-death-preparedness-only and sufficient-death-preparedness states, whereas the greater the tendency for caregivers to communicate end-of-life issues with their loved one, the lower the odds for emotional-death-preparedness-only state membership. Stronger coping capacity increased membership in the emotional-death-preparedness-only state, but perceived social support was not associated with state membership. Providing effective interventions tailored to at-risk family caregivers' specific needs may facilitate their death preparedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fur-Hsing Wen
- Department of International Business, Soochow University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ming-Mo Hou
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Po-Jung Su
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wen-Chi Shen
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wen-Chi Chou
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Jen-Shi Chen
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wen-Cheng Chang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Siew Tzuh Tang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
- School of Nursing, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
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Costeira C, Dixe MA, Querido A, Rocha A, Vitorino J, Santos C, Laranjeira C. Death Unpreparedness Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Concept Analysis. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:188. [PMID: 38255076 PMCID: PMC10815185 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12020188] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic imposed changes upon the capacity of healthcare systems, with significant repercussions on healthcare provision, particularly at end-of-life. This study aims to analyze the concept map of death unpreparedness due to the COVID-19 pandemic, capturing the relationships among the attributes, antecedents, consequences, and empirical indicators. Walker and Avant's method was used to guide an analysis of this concept. A literature search was performed systematically, between May 2022 and August 2023, using the following electronic databases on the Elton Bryson Stephens Company (EBSCO) host platform: Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (Medline), Psychological Information Database (PsycINFO), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) Complete, Cochrane Library, and Nursing and Allied Health Collection. Thirty-four articles were retrieved. The unexpected and unpredictable impositions associated with inexperience and unskillfulness in dealing with COVID-19 configured challenges for healthcare professionals, family/caregivers, and even the dying person. Nine key attributes emerged in three main domains: (1) Individual: (a) disease-related conditions, (b) separation distress, and (c) scarcity of death and grief literacy; (2) Relational: (a) Dying alone, (b) poor communication, and (c) existential issues; and (3) Contextual: (a) disrupted collective mourning and grieving, (b) disrupted compassionate care and, (c) pandemic social stigma. This study contributed a full definition of death unpreparedness in a global pandemic scenario such as COVID-19. In this sense, feeling unprepared or unready for death brought new challenges to the bioecological resources of those affected. It is essential to embrace strategies capable of providing emotional and spiritual support in the dying process and to respect patient wishes. The lessons learned from COVID-19 should be applied to events with a comparable impact to minimize their consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Costeira
- Centre for Innovative Care and Health Technology (ciTechCare), Rua de Santo André-66-68, Campus 5, 13 Polytechnic University of Leiria, 2410-541 Leiria, Portugal; (M.A.D.); (A.Q.); (C.S.)
- School of Health Sciences, Polytechnic University of Leiria, Campus 2—Morro do Lena, Alto do Vieiro—Apart. 4137, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal;
- The Health Sciences Research Unit: Nursing (UICISA:E), Nursing School of Coimbra (ESEnfC), 3004-011 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Maria Anjos Dixe
- Centre for Innovative Care and Health Technology (ciTechCare), Rua de Santo André-66-68, Campus 5, 13 Polytechnic University of Leiria, 2410-541 Leiria, Portugal; (M.A.D.); (A.Q.); (C.S.)
- School of Health Sciences, Polytechnic University of Leiria, Campus 2—Morro do Lena, Alto do Vieiro—Apart. 4137, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal;
| | - Ana Querido
- Centre for Innovative Care and Health Technology (ciTechCare), Rua de Santo André-66-68, Campus 5, 13 Polytechnic University of Leiria, 2410-541 Leiria, Portugal; (M.A.D.); (A.Q.); (C.S.)
- School of Health Sciences, Polytechnic University of Leiria, Campus 2—Morro do Lena, Alto do Vieiro—Apart. 4137, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal;
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), NursID, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Rocha
- Nursing School of Coimbra, Avenida Bissaya Barreto s/n, 3004-011 Coimbra, Portugal;
| | - Joel Vitorino
- School of Health Sciences, Polytechnic University of Leiria, Campus 2—Morro do Lena, Alto do Vieiro—Apart. 4137, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal;
- Palliative Care Unit, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Cátia Santos
- Centre for Innovative Care and Health Technology (ciTechCare), Rua de Santo André-66-68, Campus 5, 13 Polytechnic University of Leiria, 2410-541 Leiria, Portugal; (M.A.D.); (A.Q.); (C.S.)
- School of Health Sciences, Polytechnic University of Leiria, Campus 2—Morro do Lena, Alto do Vieiro—Apart. 4137, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal;
| | - Carlos Laranjeira
- Centre for Innovative Care and Health Technology (ciTechCare), Rua de Santo André-66-68, Campus 5, 13 Polytechnic University of Leiria, 2410-541 Leiria, Portugal; (M.A.D.); (A.Q.); (C.S.)
- School of Health Sciences, Polytechnic University of Leiria, Campus 2—Morro do Lena, Alto do Vieiro—Apart. 4137, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal;
- Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), University of Évora, 7000-801 Évora, Portugal
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8
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Loučka M, Althouse AD, Arnold RM, Smith TJ, Smith KJ, White DB, Rosenzweig MQ, Schenker Y. Hope and illness expectations: A cross-sectional study in patients with advanced cancer. Palliat Med 2024; 38:131-139. [PMID: 38087831 DOI: 10.1177/02692163231214422] [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] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The fear of taking away hope hinders clinicians' willingness to share serious news with patients with advanced disease. Unrealistic illness expectations, on the other hand, can complicate decision making and end-of-life care outcomes. Exploration of the association between hope and illness expectations can support clinicians in better communication with their patients. AIM The aim of this study was to explore whether realistic illness expectations are associated with reduced hope in people with advanced cancer. DESIGN This is a cross-sectional secondary analysis of baseline data from a primary palliative care cluster-randomized trial CONNECT (data collected from July 2016 to October 2020). Hope was measured by Herth Hope Index. Illness expectations were measured by assessing patients' understanding of their treatment goals, life expectancy, and terminal illness acknowledgement. Multivariable regression was performed, adjusting for demographical and clinical confounders. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS Adult patients with advanced solid cancers recruited across 17 oncology clinics. RESULTS Data from 672 patients were included in the study, with mean age of 69.3 years (±10.2), 53.6% were female. Proportion of patients indicating realistic expectations varied based on which question was asked from 10% to 46%. Median level of hope was 39 (IQR = 36-43). Multivariate non-inferiority regression did not find any significant differences in hope between patients with more and less realistic illness expectations. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that hope can be sustained while holding both realistic and unrealistic illness expectations. Communication about serious news should focus on clarifying the expectations as well as supporting people's hopes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Loučka
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Center for Palliative Care, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Andrew D Althouse
- Department of Medicine, Center for Research on Health Care Data Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Robert M Arnold
- Section of Palliative Care and Medical Ethics, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Palliative Research Center, University of Pittsburgh and Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Thomas J Smith
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Section of Palliative Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kenneth J Smith
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Douglas B White
- Palliative Research Center, University of Pittsburgh and Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Program on Ethics and Decision Making in Critical Illness, Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Margaret Q Rosenzweig
- Palliative Research Center, University of Pittsburgh and Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Yael Schenker
- Section of Palliative Care and Medical Ethics, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Palliative Research Center, University of Pittsburgh and Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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9
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Carmona-Bayonas A, Rodriguez-Gonzalez A, García-García T, Velasco-Durantez V, Hernández-San Gil R, Cruz-Castellanos P, Fernandez-Montes A, Castillo-Trujillo A, Ballester I, Rogado J, Calderon C, Jimenez-Fonseca P. Can Oncologists Prompt Patient Prognostic Awareness to Enhance Decision-Making? Data From the NEOetic Study. Oncologist 2023; 28:986-995. [PMID: 37185783 PMCID: PMC10628594 DOI: 10.1093/oncolo/oyad100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Anti-neoplastic therapy improves the prognosis for advanced cancer, albeit it is not curative. An ethical dilemma that often arises during patients' first appointment with the oncologist is to give them only the prognostic information they can tolerate, even at the cost of compromising preference-based decision-making, versus giving them full information to force prompt prognostic awareness, at the risk of causing psychological harm. METHODS We recruited 550 participants with advanced cancer. After the appointment, patients and clinicians completed several questionnaires about preferences, expectations, prognostic awareness, hope, psychological symptoms, and other treatment-related aspects. The aim was to characterize the prevalence, explanatory factors, and consequences of inaccurate prognostic awareness and interest in therapy. RESULTS Inaccurate prognostic awareness affected 74%, conditioned by the administration of vague information without alluding to death (odds ratio [OR] 2.54; 95% CI, 1.47-4.37, adjusted P = .006). A full 68% agreed to low-efficacy therapies. Ethical and psychological factors oriented first-line decision-making, in a trade-off in which some lose quality of life and mood, for others to gain autonomy. Imprecise prognostic awareness was associated with greater interest in low-efficacy treatments (OR 2.27; 95% CI, 1.31-3.84; adjusted P = .017), whereas realistic understanding increased anxiety (OR 1.63; 95% CI, 1.01-2.65; adjusted P = 0.038), depression (OR 1.96; 95% CI, 1.23-3.11; adjusted P = .020), and diminished quality of life (OR 0.47; 95% CI, 0.29-0.75; adjusted P = .011). CONCLUSION In the age of immunotherapy and targeted therapies, many appear not to understand that antineoplastic therapy is not curative. Within the mix of inputs that comprise inaccurate prognostic awareness, many psychosocial factors are as relevant as the physicians' disclosure of information. Thus, the desire for better decision-making can actually harm the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Carmona-Bayonas
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario Morales Meseguer, University of Murcia, UMU, IMIB, Murcia, Spain
| | - Adán Rodriguez-Gonzalez
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, ISPA, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Teresa García-García
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital General Universitario Santa Lucia, Cartagena, Spain
| | - Verónica Velasco-Durantez
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, ISPA, Oviedo, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | | | | | - Ana Fernandez-Montes
- Department of Medical Oncology, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Ourense, Orense, Spain
| | - Alfredo Castillo-Trujillo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, ISPA, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Ballester
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario Morales Meseguer, University of Murcia, UMU, IMIB, Murcia, Spain
| | - Jacobo Rogado
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor, Madrid, Spain
| | - Caterina Calderon
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Faculty of Psychology. University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paula Jimenez-Fonseca
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, ISPA, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
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10
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Spooner C, Vivat B, White N, Bruun A, Rohde G, Kwek PX, Stone P. What outcomes do studies use to measure the impact of prognostication on people with advanced cancer? Findings from a systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies. Palliat Med 2023; 37:1345-1364. [PMID: 37586031 PMCID: PMC10548779 DOI: 10.1177/02692163231191148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies evaluating the impact of prognostication in advanced cancer patients vary in the outcomes they measure, and there is a lack of consensus about which outcomes are most important. AIM To identify outcomes previously reported in prognostic research with people with advanced cancer, as a first step towards constructing a core outcome set for prognostic impact studies. DESIGN A systematic review was conducted and analysed in two subsets: one qualitative and one quantitative. (PROSPERO ID: CRD42022320117; 29/03/2022). DATA SOURCES Six databases were searched from inception to September 2022. We extracted data describing (1) outcomes used to measure the impact of prognostication and (2) patients' and informal caregivers' experiences and perceptions of prognostication in advanced cancer. We classified findings using the Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) initiative taxonomy, along with a narrative description. We appraised retrieved studies for quality, but quality was not a basis for exclusion. RESULTS We identified 42 eligible studies: 32 quantitative, 6 qualitative, 4 mixed methods. We extracted 70 outcomes of prognostication in advanced cancer and organised them into 12 domains: (1) survival; (2) psychiatric outcomes; (3) general outcomes; (4) spiritual/religious/existential functioning/wellbeing, (5) emotional functioning/wellbeing; (6) cognitive functioning; (7) social functioning; (8) global quality of life; (9) delivery of care; (10) perceived health status; (11) personal circumstances; and (12) hospital/hospice use. CONCLUSION Outcome reporting and measurement varied markedly across the studies. A standardised approach to outcome reporting in studies of prognosis is necessary to enhance data synthesis, improve clinical practice and better align with stakeholders' priorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin Spooner
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, University College London, London, UK
| | - Bella Vivat
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, University College London, London, UK
| | - Nicola White
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, University College London, London, UK
| | - Andrea Bruun
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, University College London, London, UK
| | - Gudrun Rohde
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, University College London, London, UK
- Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Pei Xing Kwek
- University College Dublin School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Patrick Stone
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, University College London, London, UK
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11
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Ozdemir S, Lee JJ, Yeo KK, Sim KLD, Finkelstein EA, Malhotra C. A Prospective Cohort Study of Medical Decision-Making Roles and Their Associations with Patient Characteristics and Patient-Reported Outcomes among Patients with Heart Failure. Med Decis Making 2023; 43:863-874. [PMID: 37767897 DOI: 10.1177/0272989x231201609] [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: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Among patients with heart failure (HF), we examined 1) the evolution of patient involvement in decision making over 2 y, 2) the association of patient characteristics with decision-making roles, and 3) the association of decision-making roles with distress, spiritual well-being, and quality of physician communication. METHODS We administered the survey every 4 mo over 24 mo to patients with New York Heart Association class 3/4 symptoms recruited from inpatient clinics. The decision-making roles were categorized as no patient involvement, physician/family-led, joint (with family and/or physicians), patient-led, or patient-alone decision making. The associations between patient characteristics and decision-making roles were assessed using a mixed-effects ordered logistic regression, whereas those between patient outcomes and decision-making roles were investigated using mixed-effects linear regressions. RESULTS Of the 557 patients invited, 251 participated in the study. The most common roles in decision making at baseline assessment were "no involvement" (27.53%) and "patient-alone decision making" (25.10%). The proportions of different decision-making roles did not change over 2 y (P = 0.37). Older age (odds ratio [OR] = 0.97; P = 0.003) and being married (OR = 0.63; P = 0.035) were associated with lower involvement in decision making. Chinese ethnicity (OR = 1.91; P = 0.003), higher education (OR = 1.87; P = 0.003), awareness of terminal condition (OR = 2.00; P < 0.001), and adequate self-care confidence (OR = 1.74; P < 0.001) were associated with greater involvement. Compared with no patient involvement, joint (β = -0.58; P = 0.026) and patient-led (β = -0.59; P = 0.014) decision making were associated with lower distress, while family/physician-led (β = 4.37; P = 0.001), joint (β = 3.86; P < 0.001), patient-led (β = 3.46; P < 0.001), and patient-alone (β = 3.99; P < 0.001) decision making were associated with better spiritual well-being. CONCLUSION A substantial proportion of patients was not involved in decision making. Patients should be encouraged to participate in decision making since it is associated with lower distress and better spiritual well-being. HIGHLIGHTS The level of involvement in medical decision making did not change over time among patients with heart failure. A substantial proportion of patients were not involved in decision making throughout the 24-mo study period.Patients' involvement in decision making varied by age, ethnicity, education level, marital status, awareness of the terminal condition, and confidence in self-care.Compared with no patient involvement in decision making, joint and patient-led decision making were associated with lower distress, and any level of patient involvement in decision making was associated with better spiritual well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Semra Ozdemir
- Signature Program in Health Services and Systems Research, Lien Centre for Palliative Care, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, USA
| | - Jia Jia Lee
- Research Associate, Lien Centre for Palliative Care, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | | | | | - Eric Andrew Finkelstein
- Signature Program in Health Services and Systems Research, Lien Centre for Palliative Care, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, USA
| | - Chetna Malhotra
- Signature Program in Health Services and Systems Research, Lien Centre for Palliative Care, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
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12
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Malhotra C, Balasubramanian I. Instability in Caregivers' Perception of Dementia as a Terminal Disease. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2023; 24:1427-1432. [PMID: 37567244 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2023.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Family caregivers' perception that dementia is a terminal disease influence end-of-life (EoL) care of persons with severe dementia (PwSDs). Yet, this perception and the extent to which it changes over time is underexplored. We assessed PwSD caregivers' perception of dementia as a terminal disease and changes in this perception over time. DESIGN Prospective cohort. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Two hundred fifteen primary informal caregivers of community-dwelling PWSDs in Singapore were surveyed every 4 months over a period of 16 months. METHODS We assessed the proportion of caregivers who perceived that dementia is a terminal disease and the extent to which it changed between the previous time points. Using mixed effects multinomial regression models, we assessed factors associated with caregivers' perception and changes in perception between consecutive time points. RESULTS At baseline, only 26% of the caregivers reported correctly that dementia is a terminal disease. This changed over time, not necessarily toward a correct perception. Caregivers of PwSDs with an acute medical condition in the last 4 months (risk ratio [RR] 2.19, 95% CI 1.21, 3.97) and those with higher functional dependence (RR 1.11, 95% CI 1.01,1.22) were more likely and those of older PwSDs were less likely (RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.81, 0.93) to perceive dementia as a terminal disease. Caregivers of PwSDs who had experienced an acute medical problem in the last 4 months (RR 1.58, 95% CI 1.00, 2.49) were also more likely to shift their perception toward being correct. Caregivers of PwSDs who had more agitation behaviors were more likely to shift their perception toward being incorrect (RR 1.04, 95% CI 1.00,1.07) CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Few caregivers perceived dementia as terminal, and this perception changed over time and differed according to age and the health status of PwSD. Results have implications regarding the frequency of prognostic discussions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chetna Malhotra
- Lien Centre for Palliative Care, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore; Program in Health Services and Systems Research, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.
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13
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Wen FH, Hsieh CH, Chou WC, Su PJ, Hou MM, Shen WC, Chen JS, Chang WC, Tang ST. Factors associated with cancer patients' distinct death-preparedness states. Psychooncology 2023. [PMID: 37114337 DOI: 10.1002/pon.6146] [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: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE Facilitating death preparedness is important for improving cancer patients' quality of death and dying. We aimed to identify factors associated with the four death-preparedness states (no-preparedness, cognitive-only, emotional-only, and sufficient-preparedness) focusing on modifiable factors. METHODS In this cohort study, we identified factors associated with 314 Taiwanese cancer patients' death-preparedness states from time-invariant socio-demographics and lagged time-varying modifiable variables, including disease burden, physician prognostic disclosure, patient-family communication on end-of-life (EOL) issues, and perceived social support using hierarchical generalized linear modeling. RESULTS Patients who were male, older, without financial hardship to make ends meet, and suffered lower symptom distress were more likely to be in the emotional-only and sufficient-preparedness states than the no-death-preparedness-state. Younger age (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 0.95 [0.91, 0.99] per year increase in age) and greater functional dependency (1.05 [1.00, 1.11]) were associated with being in the cognitive-only state. Physician prognostic disclosure increased the likelihood of being in the cognitive-only (51.51 [14.01, 189.36]) and sufficient-preparedness (47.42 [10.93, 205.79]) states, whereas higher patient-family communication on EOL issues reduced likelihood for the emotional-only state (0.38 [0.21, 0.69]). Higher perceived social support reduced the likelihood of cognitive-only (0.94 [0.91, 0.98]) but increased the chance of emotional-only (1.09 [1.05, 1.14]) state membership. CONCLUSIONS Death-preparedness states are associated with patients' socio-demographics, disease burden, physician prognostic disclosure, patient-family communication on EOL issues, and perceived social support. Providing accurate prognostic disclosure, adequately managing symptom distress, supporting those with higher functional dependence, promoting empathetic patient-family communication on EOL issues, and enhancing perceived social support may facilitate death preparedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fur-Hsing Wen
- Department of International Business, Soochow University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chia-Hsun Hsieh
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, New Taipei Municipal TuCheng Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC
- School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wen-Chi Chou
- School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Po-Jung Su
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ming-Mo Hou
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wen-Chi Shen
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Jen-Shi Chen
- School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wen-Cheng Chang
- School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Siew Tzuh Tang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
- School of Nursing, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan, ROC
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14
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Martina D, Angka RN, Putranto R, Shatri H, Sudoyo AW, van der Heide A, van der Rijt CCD, Rietjens JAC. Cancer Survivors' Experiences With and Preferences for Medical Information Disclosure and Advance Care Planning: An Online Survey Among Indonesian Cancer Support Groups. JCO Glob Oncol 2023; 9:e2300003. [PMID: 37043710 DOI: 10.1200/go.23.00003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To understand the experiences and preferences of Indonesian cancer survivors regarding medical information disclosure and advance care planning. METHODS On the basis of systematic reviews of the scientific literature, qualitative studies, and expert-panel input, we developed an online survey that was distributed to nine cancer survivor support groups in Indonesia. RESULTS A total of 1,030 valid responses were received. Most participants were younger than 60 years (92%), female (91%), married (78%), Muslim (75%), diagnosed with breast cancer (68%), highly educated (64%), and more than one year beyond diagnosis of their cancer. If diagnosed with a life-limiting illness, participants wished to be informed about their diagnosis (74%), disease severity (61%), estimated curability (81%), expected disease trajectory (66%), and estimated life expectancy (37%). Between 46%-69% of the participants wished to discuss four topics of advance care planning (end-of-life treatments, resuscitation, health care proxies, and what matters at the end of life); 21%-42% had done so. Of those who wished to discuss these topics, 36%-79% preferred to do so with their family members. The most important reasons for not being willing to engage in advance care planning were the desire to surrender to God's will and to focus on here and now. CONCLUSION In a group of cancer survivors, most of them were highly educated, young, female, and diagnosed with breast cancer. Their preferences for medical information and advance care planning varied, with the majority wishing for information and involvement in advance care planning. Culturally sensitive advance care planning involves health care professionals eliciting individuals' preferences for medical information disclosure and discussing different topics in advance care planning conversations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diah Martina
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Division of Psychosomatic and Palliative Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
- Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | | | - Rudi Putranto
- Division of Psychosomatic and Palliative Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
- Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Hamzah Shatri
- Division of Psychosomatic and Palliative Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
- Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Aru Wisaksono Sudoyo
- Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia
- Indonesian Cancer Foundation, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Agnes van der Heide
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Carin C D van der Rijt
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Judith A C Rietjens
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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15
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Chen CH, Wen FH, Chang WC, Hsieh CH, Chou WC, Chen JS, Tang ST. Associations of prognostic-awareness-transition patterns with emotional distress and quality of life during terminally ill cancer patients' last 6 months of life. Psychooncology 2023; 32:741-750. [PMID: 36891618 DOI: 10.1002/pon.6119] [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: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Unprecedently investigate associations of prognostic-awareness-transition patterns with (changes in) depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and quality of life (QOL) during cancer patients' last 6 months. METHODS In this secondary analysis study, 334 cancer patients in their last 6 months transitioned between four prognostic-awareness states (unknown and not wanting to know, unknown but wanting to know, inaccurate awareness, and accurate awareness), thus constituting three transition patterns: maintaining-accurate-, gaining-accurate-, and maintaining-inaccurate/unknown prognostic awareness. A multivariate hierarchical linear model evaluated associations of the transition patterns with depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and QOL determined at final assessment and by mean difference between the first and last assessment. RESULTS At the last assessment before death, the gaining-accurate-prognostic-awareness group reported higher levels of depressive symptoms (estimate [95% confidence interval] = 1.59 [0.35-2.84]) and the maintaining- and gaining-accurate-prognostic-awareness groups suffered more anxiety symptoms (1.50 [0.44-2.56]; 1.42 [0.13-2.71], respectively) and poorer QOL (-7.07 [-12.61 to 1.54]; -11.06 [-17.76 to -4.35], respectively) than the maintaining-inaccurate/unknown-prognostic-awareness group. Between the first and last assessment, the maintaining- and gaining-accurate-prognostic-awareness groups' depressive symptoms (1.59 [0.33-2.85]; 3.30 [1.78-4.82], respectively) and QOL (-5.04 [-9.89 to -0.19]; -8.86 [-14.74 to -2.98], respectively) worsened more than the maintaining-inaccurate/unknown-prognostic-awareness group, and the gaining-accurate-prognostic-awareness group's depressive symptoms increased more than the maintaining-accurate-prognostic-awareness group (1.71 [0.42-3.00]). CONCLUSIONS Unexpectedly, patients who maintained/gained accurate prognostic awareness suffered more depression, anxiety, and poorer QOL at end of life. Promoting accurate prognostic awareness earlier in the terminal-cancer trajectory should be supplemented with adequate psychological care to alleviate patients' emotional distress and enhance QOL. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT01912846.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Hsiu Chen
- School of Nursing, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Fur-Hsing Wen
- Department of International Business, Soochow University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wen-Cheng Chang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC.,College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chia-Hsun Hsieh
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC.,Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, New Taipei Municipal TuCheng Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wen-Chi Chou
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC.,College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Jen-Shi Chen
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC.,College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Siew Tzuh Tang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC.,Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC.,Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC.,School of Nursing, Medical College, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
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16
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Perception of prognosis and health-related quality of life in patients with advanced cancer: results of a multicentre observational study (eQuiPe). Support Care Cancer 2023; 31:165. [PMID: 36781515 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-023-07631-8] [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: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess perception of prognosis in patients with advanced cancer, its association with patient's characteristics and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). METHODS In a multicentre observational cohort study (eQuiPe), conducted on patients with advanced cancer, perceived prognosis, coping strategies, and HRQoL were assessed. Clinical data were obtained from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Patients with vs. without a perception of prognosis, patients who perceived their prognosis as limited (< 1 year) vs. longer (> 1 year), and patients who did not want to know their prognosis vs. those who did not know for other reasons were compared. RESULTS Of 1000 patients with advanced cancer, 29% perceived their prognosis as > 1 year, 13% < 1 year, and 4% non-life threatening. Thirty-six percent did not know their prognosis and another 15% did not want to know. Patients without a perception were older, lower educated, coped differently (less accepting, planning, active; more denial), and received treatment more often (p < 0.05). Global QoL was lower in patients with vs. without a perceived prognosis (66 (SD21) vs. 69 (SD19), p = 0.01), specifically in patients who perceived a limited rather than a longer prognosis (57 (SD22) vs. 70 (SD19), p < 0.01). Global QoL of patients who did not want to know their prognosis was comparable to patients who did not know for other reasons (71 (SD19) vs. 69 (SD19), p = 0.22). CONCLUSION More than half of the patients with advanced cancer have no perception of their prognosis. Patients with a perceived prognosis have lower HRQoL, but only in patients who perceived their prognosis as limited (< 1 year) and were probably closer to the end of life, which more likely determines their poorer HRQoL, rather than prognostic perception. Ignorance of prognosis is not associated with lower HRQoL, however, should not hamper appropriate palliative care.
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17
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Hiratsuka Y, Oishi T, Miyashita M, Morita T, Mack JW, Imai H, Mori T, Sakayori M, Mori M, Maeda I, Hamano J, Ishioka C, Inoue A. Prognostic awareness in Japanese patients with advanced cancer: a follow-up cohort study. Jpn J Clin Oncol 2023; 53:410-418. [PMID: 36647604 DOI: 10.1093/jjco/hyad002] [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: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with advanced cancer have been reported to be more likely to receive goal-concordant care if they have accurate prognostic awareness. However, many patients do not have this awareness. This study aimed to examine the prognostic awareness among Japanese patients with advanced cancer. METHODS This single-center, follow-up cohort study included Japanese patients with advanced cancer who received chemotherapy at Tohoku University Hospital between January 2015 and January 2016. Patients were surveyed at enrollment and followed up for clinical events for 5 years thereafter. We compared (i) the patients' prognostic awareness with both actual survival time and physician's prediction of survival and (ii) physician's prediction of survival time with actual survival. Factors associated with accurate prognostic awareness were identified by univariate analysis. RESULTS Of the 133 patients eligible for the study, 57 patients were analyzed. Only 10 (17.5%) patients had accurate prognostic awareness. Forty-three patients (75.4%) were optimistic about their prognosis; >80% of patients were more optimistic than their physicians about their prognosis. The physicians' predictions were accurate in for patients (37.5%). Accurate prognostic awareness was associated with physician's explanation of the prognosis and patients' perception of a good death. CONCLUSIONS A majority of the patients with advanced cancer in this study had prognostic awareness that was more optimistic in comparison with their actual survival, and most were more optimistic than their physicians about their prognosis. Further research is needed to develop programs to facilitate the discussion of life expectancy with patients in a manner that is consistent with their preferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Hiratsuka
- Department of Palliative Medicine, Takeda General Hospital, Aizu Wakamatsu, Japan.,Department of Palliative Medicine, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Takayuki Oishi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan.,Department of Clinical Oncology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Mitsunori Miyashita
- Department of Palliative Nursing, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Morita
- Department of Palliative and Supportive Care, Palliative Care Team, and Seirei Hospice, Seirei Mikatahara General Hospital, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Jennifer W Mack
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Center for Population Sciences, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hiroo Imai
- Department of Medical Oncology, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan.,Department of Clinical Oncology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Takahiro Mori
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Okinawa Chubu Hospital, Uruma, Japan
| | - Masato Sakayori
- Department of Internal Medicine, Sodegaura Satsukidai Hospital, Sodegaura, Japan
| | - Masanori Mori
- Department of Palliative and Supportive Care, Palliative Care Team, and Seirei Hospice, Seirei Mikatahara General Hospital, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Isseki Maeda
- Department of Palliative Care, Senri Chuo Hospital, Toyonaka, Japan
| | - Jun Hamano
- Division of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Chikashi Ishioka
- Department of Medical Oncology, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan.,Department of Clinical Oncology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Akira Inoue
- Department of Palliative Medicine, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
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18
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Chichua M, Mazzoni D, Brivio E, Pravettoni G. Prognostic Awareness in Terminally Ill Cancer Patients: A Narrative Literature Review of the Processes Involved. Cancer Manag Res 2023; 15:301-310. [PMID: 36994111 PMCID: PMC10042252 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s395259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
High prognostic awareness (PA) is seen by many as a threat to terminal patients' psychological well-being. Whether this concern is supported by evidence or not is still a matter of discussion, given the heterogeneity of existing findings. This ambiguity points to the importance of considering contextual processes involved in the relationship between high PA and psychological outcomes, as a possible mediator and moderator mechanism. Aiming to capture a holistic image of the relationship between PA and the psychological experiences of patients, we adapted a narrative method to synthesize and discusses patient-related (physical symptoms, coping strategy, spirituality) and external (family support, received medical care) processes as potential explaining mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariam Chichua
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, 20122, Italy
- Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, 20121, Italy
| | - Davide Mazzoni
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, 20122, Italy
| | - Eleonora Brivio
- Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, 20121, Italy
| | - Gabriella Pravettoni
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, 20122, Italy
- Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, 20121, Italy
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19
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Rosa WE, Izumi S, Sullivan DR, Lakin J, Rosenberg AR, Creutzfeldt CJ, Lafond D, Tjia J, Cotter V, Wallace C, Sloan DE, Cruz-Oliver DM, DeSanto-Madeya S, Bernacki R, Leblanc TW, Epstein AS. Advance Care Planning in Serious Illness: A Narrative Review. J Pain Symptom Manage 2023; 65:e63-e78. [PMID: 36028176 PMCID: PMC9884468 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2022.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Advance care planning (ACP) intends to support person-centered medical decision-making by eliciting patient preferences. Research has not identified significant associations between ACP and goal-concordant end-of-life care, leading to justified scientific debate regarding ACP utility. OBJECTIVE To delineate ACP's potential benefits and missed opportunities and identify an evidence-informed, clinically relevant path ahead for ACP in serious illness. METHODS We conducted a narrative review merging the best available ACP empirical data, grey literature, and emergent scholarly discourse using a snowball search of PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar (2000-2022). Findings were informed by our team's interprofessional clinical and research expertise in serious illness care. RESULTS Early ACP practices were largely tied to mandated document completion, potentially failing to capture the holistic preferences of patients and surrogates. ACP models focused on serious illness communication rather than documentation show promising patient and clinician results. Ideally, ACP would lead to goal-concordant care even amid the unpredictability of serious illness trajectories. But ACP might also provide a false sense of security that patients' wishes will be honored and revisited at end-of-life. An iterative, 'building block' framework to integrate ACP throughout serious illness is provided alongside clinical practice, research, and policy recommendations. CONCLUSIONS We advocate a balanced approach to ACP, recognizing empirical deficits while acknowledging potential benefits and ethical imperatives (e.g., fostering clinician-patient trust and shared decision-making). We support prioritizing patient/surrogate-centered outcomes with more robust measures to account for interpersonal clinician-patient variables that likely inform ACP efficacy and may better evaluate information gleaned during serious illness encounters.
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Affiliation(s)
- William E Rosa
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (W.E.R.), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.
| | - Shigeko Izumi
- School of Nursing (S.I.), Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Donald R Sullivan
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (D.R.S.), School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Joshua Lakin
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care (J.L., R.B.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Abby R Rosenberg
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics (A.R.R.), University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington; Palliative Care and Resilience Lab (A.R.R.), Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - Debbie Lafond
- Pediatric and Neonatal Needs Advanced (PANDA) Education Consultants (D.L.)
| | - Jennifer Tjia
- Chan Medical School, University of Massachusetts (J.T.), Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Valerie Cotter
- School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University (V.C.), Baltimore, Maryland; School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University (V.C.), Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Cara Wallace
- College for Public Health and Social Justice (C.W.), Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Danetta E Sloan
- Department of Health (D.E.S.), Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Dulce Maria Cruz-Oliver
- Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology (D.M.C.O.), Beacham Center for Geriatric Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | - Rachelle Bernacki
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care (J.L., R.B.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Thomas W Leblanc
- Department of Medicine (T.W.L.), Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Andrew S Epstein
- Department of Medicine (A.S.E.), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
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20
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Hasegawa T, Okuyama T, Uemura T, Matsuda Y, Otani H, Shimizu J, Horio Y, Watanabe N, Yamaguchi T, Fukuda S, Oguri T, Maeno K, Tamiya A, Nosaki K, Fukumitsu K, Akechi T. Prognostic Awareness and Discussions of Incurability in Patients with Pretreated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Caregivers: A Prospective Cohort Study. Oncologist 2022; 27:982-990. [PMID: 36067268 PMCID: PMC9632306 DOI: 10.1093/oncolo/oyac178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although patients with advanced cancer often have poor prognostic awareness, the most effective communication approach for improving prognostic awareness is unclear. In addition, the association between prognostic awareness and preferences for future medical treatment remains unexplored. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a prospective observational study of consecutive patients with advanced or post-operative recurrent non-small cell lung cancer whose disease had progressed after first-line chemotherapy, and their caregivers. We evaluated patterns of clinical discussions about incurability, prognostic awareness, and preference for future medical treatment at baseline and 3 months later. RESULTS We obtained 200 valid responses to the questionnaires at baseline and 147 valid responses 3 months later. In addition, 180 caregivers returned valid responses. A total of 54% of patients and 51% of caregivers had accurate awareness at baseline, and 52% of patients had accurate awareness 3 months later. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that patients who were informed about incurability in recent and past discussions were significantly more likely to have accurate awareness 3 months later, compared with those who were only informed recently (adjusted odds ratio 5.08; 95% CI, 1.31-19.78; P = .019). Accurate awareness at 3 months was significantly negatively associated with preference for life-prolonging treatment at 3 months after adjusting for covariates (adjusted odds ratio 0.39; 95% CI, 0.17-0.90; P = .028). CONCLUSION Patients with advanced cancer who had both recent and past discussions about incurability with their oncologists have more accurate prognostic awareness. Improving prognostic awareness could reduce the preference for life-prolonging treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takaaki Hasegawa
- Center for Psycho-oncology and Palliative Care, Nagoya City University Hospital, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Toru Okuyama
- Corresponding author: Toru Okuyama, MD, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya City University West Medical Center, 1-1-1 Hirate-cho, Kita-ku, Nagoya, 462-8508, Japan. Tel: +81 52 991 8121; Fax: +81 52 916 2038;
| | - Takehiro Uemura
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Japan,Department of Thoracic Oncology, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Yoshinobu Matsuda
- Department of Psychosomatic Internal Medicine, National Hospital Organization Kinki-Chuo Chest Medical Center, Kita-ku, Sakai, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Otani
- Department of Palliative Care Team, and Palliative and Supportive Care, National Hospital Organization Kyushu Cancer Center, Mitami-ku, Fukuoka, Japan,Department of Palliative Care Team, and Palliative and Supportive Care, St. Mary’s Hospital, Kurume-shi, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Junichi Shimizu
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Yoshitsugu Horio
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Naohiro Watanabe
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Teppei Yamaguchi
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Satoshi Fukuda
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Oguri
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Japan,Department of Education and Research Center for Community Medicine, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Ken Maeno
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Akihiro Tamiya
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Hospital Organization Kinki-Chuo Chest Medical Center, Kita-ku, Sakai, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kaname Nosaki
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, National Hospital Organization Kyushu Cancer Center, Minami-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka, Japan,Department of Thoracic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa-shi, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kensuke Fukumitsu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Akechi
- Center for Psycho-oncology and Palliative Care, Nagoya City University Hospital, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Japan,Department of Psychiatry and Cognitive-Behavioral Medicine, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Japan
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21
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Atlas M, Hart TL. Appraisals of cancer, religious/spiritual coping, and hope in patients with colorectal cancer. J Psychosoc Oncol 2022; 41:337-354. [PMID: 35972220 PMCID: PMC9931936 DOI: 10.1080/07347332.2022.2108743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To examine the extent to which religious/spiritual coping moderates the association between stress appraisals and hope among patients with colorectal cancer. DESIGN/RESEARCH APPROACH A longitudinal, prospective examination of hope, stress appraisals of cancer, and religious/spiritual coping through self-report questionnaires at baseline, 6-months, and 12-months post-surgery. SAMPLE/PARTICIPANTS One hundred thirty-nine newly diagnosed patients with colorectal cancer recruited from tertiary medical centers. FINDINGS Challenge and threat appraisals predicted hope. Only the relationship between hope and challenge appraisals was significantly moderated by coping through religion/spirituality, such that those who were both low on challenge and low in religious/spiritual coping reported the lowest hope. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION Hope is predicted by how people appraise their cancer. Hope was lowest among participants who reported both low challenge appraisals and religious/spiritual coping. IMPLICATIONS FOR PSYCHOSOCIAL PROVIDERS Understanding how patients appraise their cancer and use religion/spirituality to cope may help providers understand which patients are at risk for low hope.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Atlas
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tae L Hart
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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22
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Agarwal R, Shin P, Knezevic A, Nelson JE, Romano DR, Bernal C, Desai AV, Epstein AS. Accuracy of curability expectations in patients with gastrointestinal cancers. Cancer Med 2022; 12:20-29. [PMID: 35959986 PMCID: PMC9844646 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.4947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Assessment of illness and treatment understanding among cancer patients has largely focused on those with advanced disease. Less is known about patient expectations at earlier stages of cancer and potential modifiers of accurate understanding. METHODS We assessed accuracy of cure expectations in patients across all stages with gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. Accuracy was determined by independent reviews of patient health records by oncologists on the investigative team. Impact on cure accuracy of selected clinical variables and health-information preferences was analyzed. RESULTS Hundred and thirty five patients were included for analysis, with 100% interrater agreement for accuracy between oncologist reviewers. Sixety five patients (48%) had accurate cure expectations from their cancer treatment. Accuracy was lower in Stage IV versus Stage I-III disease (35% vs. 63%, p < 0.01), lower in unresectable versus resectable disease (35% vs. 67%, p < 0.01), and higher in patients with early-stage disease who received adjuvant chemotherapy versus those who did not (78% vs. 53%, p = 0.04). Accuracy did not differ by health-information preferences and remained stable over time. Of 63 patients who died, baseline accuracy differed by location of death (p = 0.03), with greater accuracy in those who died with home hospice (56%). Accuracy was lower in those who were hospitalized in the last 30 days of life versus those who were not (25% vs. 59%, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Inaccurate cure expectations are prevalent across all stages of GI cancers, but particularly among those with metastatic or unresectable disease. High-quality, iterative communication strategies may facilitate patient illness and treatment understanding throughout the disease course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajiv Agarwal
- Department of MedicineVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Paul Shin
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | | | - Judith E. Nelson
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Weill Cornell Medical CollegeNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | | | - Camila Bernal
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Anjali V. Desai
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Weill Cornell Medical CollegeNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Andrew S. Epstein
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Weill Cornell Medical CollegeNew YorkNew YorkUSA
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23
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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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24
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Konteti V, Wu V, Smith B, Ramesh Y. An Editorial Review of Prognostic Awareness and Considerations for the Clinical Setting. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) 2022; 34:376-378. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clon.2022.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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25
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Association between prognostic awareness and quality of life in patients with advanced cancer. Qual Life Res 2022; 31:2367-2374. [PMID: 35119564 DOI: 10.1007/s11136-022-03097-z] [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: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Despite the current guidelines supporting open communication about serious news, the evidence about the impact of prognostic awareness on the quality of life in cancer patients is not clear. The aim of this study was to assess the association between quality of life and prognostic awareness in patients with advanced cancer. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study which involved patients (n = 129) with incurable advanced cancer (estimated by oncologist using 12-month surprise question). Data were collected at oncology departments at 3 hospitals using structured interview in which patients were asked about their quality of life (using Integrated Palliative Outcome Scale-IPOS and a single-item global measure), prognostic awareness, information needs and demographics. RESULTS Only 16% of the sample was completely aware of prognosis and 57% was partially aware. Accurate prognostic awareness was significantly associated (p = 0.02) with lower level of quality of life between (when measured by both the IPOS and the single-item scale) patients with accurate prognostic awareness (M = 37.1; 10.4) and partially aware (M = 31.9; 9.1) and unaware patients (M = 30; 7.4). Detailed analysis showed that significant difference between groups was found only for physical symptoms subscales (p = 0.002), not for emotional and communication subscales. CONCLUSION Prognostic awareness was found to be negatively associated with physical domain of quality of life, but not with emotional and communication domains. More research is needed on personality factors that might influence the development of prognostic awareness and quality of life.
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26
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Janett-Pellegri C, Eychmüller AS. 'I Don't Have a Crystal Ball' - Why Do Doctors Tend to Avoid Prognostication? PRAXIS 2021; 110:914-924. [PMID: 34814721 DOI: 10.1024/1661-8157/a003785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Uncertainty, fear to harm the patient, discomfort handling the discussion and lack of time are the most cited barriers to prognostic disclosure. Physicians can be reassured that patients desire the truth about prognosis and can manage the discussion without harm, including the uncertainty of the information, if approached in a sensitive manner. Conversational guides could provide support in preparing such difficult conversations. Communicating 'with realism and hope' is possible, and anxiety is normal for both patients and clinicians during prognostic disclosure. As a clinician pointed out: 'I had asked a mentor once if it ever got easier. - No. But you get better at it.'
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Janett-Pellegri
- Service de Médicine Interne, Hôpital Cantonal Fribourg, Fribourg
- Universitäres Zentrum für Palliative Care, Inselspital, Universitätsspital Bern, Bern
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Chen CH, Wen F, Chou W, Chen J, Chang W, Hsieh C, Tang ST. Factors associated with distinct prognostic-awareness-transition patterns over cancer patients' last 6 months of life. Cancer Med 2021; 10:8029-8039. [PMID: 34590429 PMCID: PMC8607263 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.4321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cancer patients may develop prognostic awareness (PA) heterogeneously, but predictors of PA‐transition patterns have never been studied. We aimed to identify transition patterns of PA and their associated factors during cancer patients’ last 6 months. Methods For this secondary‐analysis study, PA was assessed among 334 cancer patients when they were first diagnosed as terminally ill and monthly till they died. PA was categorized into four states: (a) unknown and not wanting to know; (b) unknown but wanting to know; (c) inaccurate awareness; and (d) accurate awareness. The first and last PA states estimated by hidden Markov modeling were examined to identify their change patterns. Factors associated with distinct PA‐transition patterns were determined by multinomial logistic regressions focused on modifiable time‐varying variables assessed in the wave before the last PA assessment to ensure a clear time sequence for associating with PA‐transition patterns. Results Four PA‐transition patterns were identified: maintaining accurate PA (56.3%), gaining accurate PA (20.4%), heterogeneous PA (7.8%), and still avoiding PA (15.6%). Reported physician‐prognostic disclosure increased the likelihood of belonging to the maintaining‐accurate‐PA group than to other groups. Greater symptom distress predisposed patients to be in the still‐avoiding‐PA than the heterogeneous PA group. Patients with higher functional dependence and more anxiety/depressive symptoms were more and less likely to be in the heterogeneous PA group and in the still‐avoiding‐PA group, respectively, than in the maintaining‐ and gaining‐accurate PA groups. Conclusions Cancer patients heterogeneously experienced PA‐transition patterns over their last 6 months. Physicians’ prognostic disclosure, and patients’ symptom distress, functional dependence, and anxiety/depressive symptoms, all modifiable by high‐quality end‐of‐life care, were associated with distinct PA‐transition patterns. Patients with cancer may not develop accurate prognostic awareness (PA) at the same rate or to the same degree and factors associated with PA‐transition patterns are unknown. Here, we identified PA‐transition patterns and their associated factors during the last six months of life for patients with advanced cancer and found that they developed PA in different ways. Four PA‐transition patterns were identified: maintaining accurate PA, gaining accurate PA, heterogeneous PA, and still avoiding PA. Prognostic disclosure by physicians, patient symptom distress, functional dependence, and anxiety/depression symptoms are major factors associated with PA‐transition patterns and can be acted on during high‐quality end‐of‐life care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Hsiu Chen
- School of NursingNational Taipei University of Nursing and Health SciencesTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Fur‐Hsing Wen
- Department of International BusinessSoochow UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Wen‐Chi Chou
- Division of Hematology‐OncologyChang Gung Memorial HospitalTao‐YuanTaiwan
- College of MedicineChang Gung UniversityTao‐YuanTaiwan
| | - Jen‐Shi Chen
- Division of Hematology‐OncologyChang Gung Memorial HospitalTao‐YuanTaiwan
- College of MedicineChang Gung UniversityTao‐YuanTaiwan
| | - Wen‐Cheng Chang
- Division of Hematology‐OncologyChang Gung Memorial HospitalTao‐YuanTaiwan
- College of MedicineChang Gung UniversityTao‐YuanTaiwan
| | - Chia‐Hsun Hsieh
- Division of Hematology‐OncologyChang Gung Memorial HospitalTao‐YuanTaiwan
- College of MedicineChang Gung UniversityTao‐YuanTaiwan
| | - Siew Tzuh Tang
- Division of Hematology‐OncologyChang Gung Memorial HospitalTao‐YuanTaiwan
- Department of NursingChang Gung Memorial Hospital at KaohsiungKaohsiungTaiwan
- School of NursingMedical CollegeChang Gung UniversityTao‐YuanTaiwan
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Loučka M, Vlčková K, Tučková A, Poláková K, Houska A, Matějů M, Donátová Z. Prognostic awareness in advanced cancer patients and their caregivers: A longitudinal cohort study. Psychooncology 2021; 30:1449-1456. [PMID: 33864323 DOI: 10.1002/pon.5704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to analyse longitudinal development of prognostic awareness in advanced cancer patients and their families. METHODS This was a longitudinal cohort study, involving 134 adult cancer patients, 91 primary family caregivers and 21 treating oncologists. Key eligibility criterion for patients was life expectancy less than 1 year (estimated by their oncologists using the 12-month surprised question). Structured interviews, including tools to measure prognostic awareness, health information needs, and demographics were conducted face to face or via phone three times over 9 months. Forty-four patients completed all three phases of data collection. RESULTS Only 16% of patients reported accurate prognostic awareness, 58% being partially aware. Prognostic awareness of both patients and family caregivers remained stable over the course of the study, with only small non-significant changes. Gender, education, type of cancer, spirituality or health information needs were not associated with the level of prognostic awareness. Family caregivers reported more accurate prognostic awareness, which was not associated with patients' own prognostic awareness (agreement rate 59%, weighted kappa 0.348, CI = 0.185-0.510). CONCLUSIONS Prognostic awareness appears to be a stable concept over the course of the illness. Clinicians must focus on the initial patients' understanding of the disease and be able to communicate the prognostic information effectively from the early stages of patients' trajectory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Loučka
- Center for Palliative Care, Prague, Czech Republic.,Division of Medical Psychology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Karolína Vlčková
- Center for Palliative Care, Prague, Czech Republic.,Division of Medical Psychology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Tučková
- Center for Palliative Care, Prague, Czech Republic.,Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kristýna Poláková
- Center for Palliative Care, Prague, Czech Republic.,Division of Medical Psychology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Adam Houska
- Center for Palliative Care, Prague, Czech Republic.,Division of Medical Psychology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Matějů
- Department of Oncology, First Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Donátová
- Department of Oncology, First Faculty of Medicine and Thomayer Hospital, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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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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30
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Hui D, Mo L, Paiva CE. The Importance of Prognostication: Impact of Prognostic Predictions, Disclosures, Awareness, and Acceptance on Patient Outcomes. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2021; 22:12. [PMID: 33432524 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-020-00810-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT In the advanced cancer setting, patients, families, and clinicians are often confronted with an uncertain future regarding treatment outcomes and survival. Greater certainty on what to expect can enhance decision-making for many personal and healthcare issues. Although 70-90% of patients with advanced cancer desire open and honest prognostic disclosure, a small proportion do not want to know. Approximately half of patients with advanced cancer have an inaccurate understanding of their illness, which could negatively impact their decision-making. In this review, we use a conceptual framework to highlight 5 key steps along the prognostic continuum, including (1) prognostic formulation, (2) prognostic disclosure, (3) prognostic awareness, (4) prognostic acceptance, and (5) prognosis-based decision-making. We shall summarize the impact of prognostic predictions, disclosure, awareness, and acceptance on various patient and caregiver outcomes, such as hope, trust, anxiety, depression, chemotherapy use, and care planning. Based on where the patient is at along the prognostic continuum, we propose 5 different subgroups (avoidance: "I don't want to know"; discordant, "I never wanted to know"; anxious, "I don't know what's happening"; concerned, "I don't like this"; acceptance, "I know how to plan ahead"). Although prognostication is not necessarily a linear process, recognizing where the patient is at cognitively and emotionally along the prognostic continuum may allow clinicians to provide personalized interventions, such as specialist palliative care and psychology referral, towards personalizing prognostic disclosure, enhancing prognostic awareness, increasing prognostic acceptance, and supporting decision-making and, ultimately, improving patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Hui
- Department of Palliative Care, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 1414 - 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - Li Mo
- Department of Palliative Care, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 1414 - 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,The Center of Gerontology and Geriatrics, National Clinical Research Center of Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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