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Zhang Z, Subramaniam DS, Howard SW, Johnston KJ, Frick WH, Enard K, Hinyard L. Use of Palliative Care Among Adults With Newly Diagnosed Heart Failure: Insights From a US National Insured Patient Sample. J Am Heart Assoc 2024; 13:e035459. [PMID: 39206718 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.124.035459] [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: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the known benefits for individuals with heart failure (HF), incomplete data suggest a low use of palliative care (PC) for HF in the United States. We aimed to investigate the national PC use for adults with HF by determining when they received their first PC consultation (PCC) and the associations with clinical factors following diagnosis of HF. METHODS AND RESULTS We conducted a retrospective cohort study in a national all-payer electronic health record database to identify adults (aged ≥18 years) with newly diagnosed HF between 2011 and 2018. The proportion of those who received PCC within 5 years following a diagnosis of HF, and associations of time to first PCC with patient characteristics and HF-specific clinical markers were determined. We followed 127 712 patients for a median of 792 days, of whom 18.3% received PCC in 5 years. Shorter time to receive PCC was associated with diagnoses of HF in 2016 to 2018 (compared with 2010-2015: adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.421 [95% CI, 1.370-1.475]), advanced HF (aHR, 2.065 [95% CI, 1.940-2.198]), cardiogenic shock (aHR, 2.587 [95% CI, 2.414-2.773]), implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (aHR, 5.718 [95% CI, 5.327-6.138]), and visits at academic medical centers (aHR, 1.439 [95% CI, 1.381-1.500]). CONCLUSIONS Despite an expanded definition of PC and recommendations by professional societies, PC for HF remains low in the United States. Racial and geographic variations in access and use of PC exist for patients with HF. Future studies should interrogate the mechanisms of PC underusage, especially before advanced stages, and address barriers to PC services across the health care system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zidong Zhang
- Advanced HEAlth Data (AHEAD) Institute, Saint Louis University School of Medicine St. Louis MO USA
| | - Divya S Subramaniam
- Advanced HEAlth Data (AHEAD) Institute, Saint Louis University School of Medicine St. Louis MO USA
- Department of Health & Clinical Outcomes Research Saint Louis University School of Medicine St. Louis MO USA
| | | | | | - William H Frick
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine Saint Louis University School of Medicine St. Louis MO USA
| | - Kimberly Enard
- Department of Health Management and Policy, College for Public Health and Social Justice Saint Louis University St. Louis MO USA
| | - Leslie Hinyard
- Advanced HEAlth Data (AHEAD) Institute, Saint Louis University School of Medicine St. Louis MO USA
- Department of Health & Clinical Outcomes Research Saint Louis University School of Medicine St. Louis MO USA
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Smith S, Sapkaroski D, Brand M, Tran A, Zalcberg J, Stirling RG. Mapping the clinical care pathways for advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer patients in Victoria: A retrospective cohort study of supportive and palliative care. Nurs Health Sci 2023; 25:411-423. [PMID: 37562814 DOI: 10.1111/nhs.13044] [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: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
The lung cancer Optimal Care Pathway recommends supportive care and palliative care integration throughout its various steps, with early referral to appropriate services improving the quality of life in advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer patients. Using Victorian Lung Cancer Registry data and linked administrative datasets, this retrospective cohort study mapped clinical care pathways of 525 Stage III-IV non-small cell lung cancer patients in Victoria to 11 recommendations in the Optimal Care Pathway, identifying unwarranted variations in clinical care. Supportive care and palliative care delivery were further examined to understand the involvement and timing of specialist care teams. Our findings showed that palliative care utilization is highest at the time of treatment, despite recommendations that it should be provided early after diagnosis to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction. Early supportive care screening was observed in half the cohort and almost three-quarters of the patients had been presented at a multidisciplinary meeting. Multidisciplinary meeting presentations and supportive care provide an opportunity to improve communication about palliative care needs and integration into routine clinical practice, such as at the time of treatment planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shantelle Smith
- Cancer Research Program, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Daniel Sapkaroski
- Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Radiation Therapy, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Margaret Brand
- Cancer Research Program, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anh Tran
- Cancer Research Program, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - John Zalcberg
- Cancer Research Program, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Robert G Stirling
- Cancer Research Program, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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McLouth LE, Borger T, Bursac V, Hoerger M, McFarlin J, Shelton S, Shelton B, Shearer A, Kiviniemi MT, Stapleton JL, Mullett T, Studts JL, Goebel D, Thind R, Trice L, Schoenberg NE. Palliative care use and utilization determinants among patients treated for advanced stage lung cancer care in the community and academic medical setting. Support Care Cancer 2023; 31:190. [PMID: 36847880 PMCID: PMC9969037 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-023-07649-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Despite clinical guidelines, palliative care is underutilized during advanced stage lung cancer treatment. To inform interventions to increase its use, patient-level barriers and facilitators (i.e., determinants) need to be characterized, especially among patients living in rural areas or those receiving treatment outside academic medical centers. METHODS Between 2020 and 2021, advanced stage lung cancer patients (n = 77; 62% rural; 58% receiving care in the community) completed a one-time survey assessing palliative care use and its determinants. Univariate and bivariate analyses described palliative care use and determinants and compared scores by patient demographic (e.g., rural vs. urban) and treatment setting (e.g., community vs. academic medical center) factors. RESULTS Roughly half said they had never met with a palliative care doctor (49.4%) or nurse (58.4%) as part of cancer care. Only 18% said they knew what palliative care was and could explain it; 17% thought it was the same as hospice. After palliative care was distinguished from hospice, the most frequently cited reasons patients stated they would not seek palliative care were uncertainty about what it would offer (65%), concerns about insurance coverage (63%), difficulty attending multiple appointments (60%), and lack of discussion with an oncologist (59%). The most common reasons patients stated they would seek palliative care were a desire to control pain (62%), oncologist recommendation (58%), and coping support for family and friends (55%). CONCLUSION Interventions should address knowledge and misconceptions, assess care needs, and facilitate communication between patients and oncologists about palliative care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie E McLouth
- Department of Behavioral Science, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, 760 Press Avenue, 467 Healthy Kentucky Research Building, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA.
- Center for Health Equity Transformation, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
| | - Tia Borger
- Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Vilma Bursac
- Department of Behavioral Science, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, 760 Press Avenue, 467 Healthy Kentucky Research Building, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
- Center for Health Equity Transformation, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Michael Hoerger
- Departments of Psychology, Psychiatry, and Medicine, Freeman School of Business and Tulane Cancer Center, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Department of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care, University Medical Center of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Jessica McFarlin
- Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Shaylla Shelton
- Lincoln Memorial University- DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, Harrogate, TN, USA
| | - Brent Shelton
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Departmental of Internal Medicine, Division of Cancer Biostatistics, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Andrew Shearer
- Departmental of Internal Medicine, Division of Cancer Biostatistics, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Marc T Kiviniemi
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Jerod L Stapleton
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Timothy Mullett
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Jamie L Studts
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, University of Colorado Cancer Center, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - David Goebel
- King's Daughters Health System, Ashland, KY, USA
| | | | | | - Nancy E Schoenberg
- Department of Behavioral Science, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, 760 Press Avenue, 467 Healthy Kentucky Research Building, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
- Center for Health Equity Transformation, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
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Brown T, Grewal US, Ananthaneni AK, Thotamgari SR, Beedupalli K. Letter to the Editor: Poor Access to Ambulatory Palliative Care and Needless Aggressive Care toward the End of Life among Patients with Lung Cancer. J Palliat Med 2022; 25:698-699. [PMID: 35499376 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2022.0020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tyiesha Brown
- Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
| | - Udhayvir S Grewal
- Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
| | - Anil K Ananthaneni
- Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
| | - Sahith R Thotamgari
- Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
| | - Kavitha Beedupalli
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA.,Feist Weller Cancer Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
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Sullivan DR, Teno JM, Reinke LF. Evolution of Palliative Care in the Department of Veterans Affairs: Lessons from an Integrated Health Care Model. J Palliat Med 2021; 25:15-20. [PMID: 34665652 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2021.0246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Palliative care (PC) is beneficial, however, in many settings it is under-resourced and unable to consistently meet the needs of patients and their families. A lack of national health policy support for PC contributes to underutilization and the low value care experienced by many patients with serious illness at the end of life. Through a series of transformative health care structure and process improvements including developing robust initiatives and promoting institutional culture change, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has significantly improved the quality of PC among veterans. VA's strategic simultaneous top-down and bottom-up approach to develop programs, policies, and initiatives provides important perspectives and deserves attention toward advancing PC in the broader U.S. health care system. Although opportunities for improvement exist, the comprehensive framework within VA should help inform the future of program development and serve as a model for integrated and accountable care organizations to emulate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald R Sullivan
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Portland, Oregon, USA.,Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, Veterans Affairs Portland Healthcare System, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Joan M Teno
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, School of Medicine, OHSU, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Lynn F Reinke
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Puget Sound Health Care System, Health Services Research & Development, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Systems, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
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