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Hasegawa T, Ochi T, Yamagishi A, Akechi T, Urakubo A, Sugishita A, Yamamoto R, Kubota Y, Shimoyama S. Quality indicators for integrating oncology and home palliative care in Japan: modified Delphi study. Support Care Cancer 2024; 32:476. [PMID: 38954101 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-024-08684-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT Home palliative care service increases the chance of dying at home, particularly for patients with advanced cancer, but late referrals to home palliative care services still exist. Indicators for evaluating programs that can facilitate the integration of oncology and home palliative care have not been defined. OBJECTIVES This study developed quality indicators for the integration of oncology and home palliative care in Japan. METHODS We conducted a systematic literature review (Databases included CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Emcare) and a modified Delphi study to develop the quality indicators. Panelists rated a potential list of indicators using a 9-point scale over three rounds according to two criteria: appropriateness and feasibility. The criterion for the adoption of candidate indicators was set at a total mean score of 7 or more. Final quality indicators with no disagreement were included. RESULTS Of the 973 publications in our initial search, 12 studies were included. The preliminary list of quality indicators by systematic literature review comprised 50 items. In total, 37 panelists participated in the modified Delphi study. Ultimately, 18 indicators were identified from the following domains: structure in cancer hospitals, structure in home palliative care services, the process of home palliative care service delivery, less aggressive end-of-life care, patient's psychological comfort, caregiver's psychological comfort, and patient's satisfaction with home palliative care service. CONCLUSION Comprehensive quality indicators for the integration of oncology and home palliative care were identified. These indicators may facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration between professional healthcare providers in both cancer hospitals and home palliative care services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takaaki Hasegawa
- Center for Psycho-oncology and Palliative Care, Nagoya City University Hospital, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, 467-8601, Japan.
| | - Takura Ochi
- Hospice, Matsuyama Bethel Hospital, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Akemi Yamagishi
- Department of Public Health, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Akechi
- Center for Psycho-oncology and Palliative Care, Nagoya City University Hospital, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, 467-8601, Japan
- Department of Psychiatry and Cognitive-Behavioral Medicine, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Akiko Urakubo
- Department of EBM and Guidelines, Japan Council for Quality Health Care, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Akitaka Sugishita
- Center for Advanced Medicine and Clinical Research, Department of Advanced Medicine, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Rie Yamamoto
- Department of Palliative Care, Saitama Cancer Center, Ina-machi, Japan
| | - Yosuke Kubota
- Center for Psycho-oncology and Palliative Care, Nagoya City University Hospital, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, 467-8601, Japan
- Department of Psychiatry and Cognitive-Behavioral Medicine, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Satofumi Shimoyama
- Department of Palliative Care, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
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Brenne AT, Løhre ET, Knudsen AK, Lund JÅ, Thronæs M, Driller B, Brunelli C, Kaasa S. Standardizing Integrated Oncology and Palliative Care Across Service Levels: Challenges in Demonstrating Effects in a Prospective Controlled Intervention Trial. Oncol Ther 2024; 12:345-362. [PMID: 38744750 PMCID: PMC11187047 DOI: 10.1007/s40487-024-00278-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Patients with cancer often want to spend their final days at home. In Norway, most patients with cancer die in institutions. We hypothesized that full integration of oncology and palliative care services would result in more time spent at home during end-of-life. METHODS A prospective non-randomized intervention trial was conducted in two rural regions of Mid-Norway. The hospitals' oncology and palliative care outpatient clinics and surrounding communities participated. An intervention including information, education, and a standardized care pathway was developed and implemented. Adult non-curative patients with cancer were eligible. Proportion of last 90 days of life spent at home was the primary outcome. RESULTS We included 129 patients in the intervention group (I) and 76 patients in the comparison group (C), of whom 82% of patients in I and 78% of patients in C died during follow-up. The mean proportion of last 90 days of life spent at home was 0.62 in I and 0.72 in C (p = 0.044), with 23% and 36% (p = 0.073), respectively, dying at home. A higher proportion died at home in both groups compared to pre-study level (12%). During the observation period the comparison region developed and implemented an alternative intervention to the study intervention, with the former more focused on end-of-life care. CONCLUSION A higher proportion of patients with cancer died at home in both groups compared to pre-study level. Patients with cancer in I did not spend more time at home during end-of-life compared to those in C. The study intervention focused on the whole disease trajectory, while the alternative intervention was more directed towards end-of-life care. "Simpler" and more focused interventions on end-of-life care may be relevant for future studies on integration of palliative care into oncology. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02170168.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Tove Brenne
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
- Cancer Clinic, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Erik Torbjørn Løhre
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Cancer Clinic, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Anne Kari Knudsen
- Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- European Palliative Care Research Centre (PRC), Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jo-Åsmund Lund
- Department of Oncology, Møre Og Romsdal Hospital Trust, Ålesund, Norway
- Department of Health Sciences in Ålesund, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Ålesund, Norway
| | - Morten Thronæs
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Cancer Clinic, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Bardo Driller
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Oncology, Møre Og Romsdal Hospital Trust, Ålesund, Norway
- Department for Research and Innovation, Møre Og Romsdal Hospital Trust, Ålesund, Norway
| | - Cinzia Brunelli
- Palliative Care, Pain Therapy and Rehabilitation Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Instituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Stein Kaasa
- Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- European Palliative Care Research Centre (PRC), Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Forrester M, Breitenfeld L, Castelo-Branco M, Aperta J. Identification of an oncological clinical pathway through questionnaires to health professionals. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:1011. [PMID: 37726812 PMCID: PMC10510255 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09964-w] [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: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical Pathways in Oncology can benefit patients using organized interventions to standardize and increase care efficiency. Healthcare systems should have tools to identify their oncological clinical pathways for a better institutional organization to reduce mortality rates and contain costs without compromising quality. Our objective is to determine the regional Oncology Clinical Pathway from a first basic hypothesis using questionnaires directed to healthcare professionals considered key deciders within the Pathway. METHODS Study design consisted of data analysis of two structured region-wide questionnaires; built using available literature on Oncology Clinical Pathways, in a Portuguese Healthcare context and pre-tested in a focus group of key deciders (Physicians and nurses with management functions) from which a design was created. Queries analyzed the patients: tumor staging at service arrival; time intervals on tumor suspicion/diagnosis confirmation and diagnosis/first treatment; referral pathway; diagnostic networks and patient Follow-up. One questionnaire was sent to key deciders directly involved with Oncology patients at a Regional Hospital. 15 physicians and 18 nurses of this sample answered the questionnaire (approx. response rate = 67%). Another questionnaire sent to healthcare professionals in Primary Healthcare Centers yielded response rate 19.2%, N = 29 physicians and 46 nurses. Finally, we performed a descriptive analysis and a Cronbach Alpha reliability analysis. RESULTS Our findings reveal: different appreciations of tumor staging at arrival in Primary Healthcare Centers and Regional Hospitals (the latter receiving more metastatic cases); approximately 4 weeks between tumor suspicion-diagnostic and divided opinions regarding diagnostic-treatment time intervals. Primary Healthcare Centers depend on private laboratories for diagnostics confirmation, while the Hospitals resolve this locally. Referral pathways indicate almost half of the patients being sent from primary healthcare centers to National Reference Hospitals instead of a Regional Hospital. Patient follow-up is developed throughout the institutions, however, is more established at Regional Hospitals. As patients advance through the Oncology Clinical Pathway and toward treatment stages the number of healthcare professionals involved reduce. CONCLUSION Our questionnaires enable us to understand the real pathway between the different institutions involved and the main entry points of the patients into the Oncology Clinical Pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Forrester
- Faculty of Health Sciences Universidade Da Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, Covilhã, 6200-506, Portugal.
| | - Luiza Breitenfeld
- Faculty of Health Sciences Universidade Da Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, Covilhã, 6200-506, Portugal
| | - Miguel Castelo-Branco
- Faculty of Health Sciences Universidade Da Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, Covilhã, 6200-506, Portugal
| | - Jorge Aperta
- Sousa Martins Hospital, Avenida Rainha Dona Amélia, Guarda, 6300-858, Portugal
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Implementing a Standardized Care Pathway Integrating Oncology, Palliative Care and Community Care in a Rural Region of Mid-Norway. Oncol Ther 2021; 9:671-693. [PMID: 34731447 PMCID: PMC8593089 DOI: 10.1007/s40487-021-00176-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION To improve quality across levels of care, we developed a standardized care pathway (SCP) integrating palliative and oncology services for hospitalized and home-dwelling palliative cancer patients in a rural region. METHODS A multifaceted implementation strategy was directed towards a combination of target groups. The implementation was conducted on a system level, and implementation-related activities were registered prospectively. Adult patients with advanced cancer treated with non-curative intent were included and interviewed. Healthcare leaders (HCLs) and healthcare professionals (HCPs) involved in the development of the SCP or exposed to the implementation strategy were interviewed. In addition, HCLs and HCPs exposed to the implementation strategy answered standardized questionnaires. Hospital admissions were registered prospectively. RESULTS To assess the use of the SCP, 129 cancer patients were included. Fifteen patients were interviewed about their experiences with the patient-held record (PHR). Sixty interviews were performed among 1320 HCPs exposed to the implementation strategy. Two hundred and eighty-seven HCPs reported on their training in and use of the SCP. Despite organizational cultural differences, developing an SCP integrating palliative and oncology services across levels of care was feasible. Both HCLs and HCPs reported improved quality of care in the wake of the implementation process. Two and a half years after the implementation was launched, 28% of the HCPs used the SCP and 41% had received training in its use. Patients reported limited use and benefit of the PHR. CONCLUSION An SCP may be a usable tool for integrating palliative and oncology services across care levels in a rural region. An extensive implementation process resulted in improvements of process outcomes, yet still limited use of the SCP in clinical practice. HCLs and HCPs reported improved quality of cancer care following the implementation process. Future research should address mandatory elements for usefulness and successful implementation of SCPs for palliative cancer patients.
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Røen I, Brenne AT, Brunelli C, Stifoss-Hanssen H, Grande G, Solheim TS, Kaasa S, Knudsen AK. Spiritual quality of life in family carers of patients with advanced cancer-a cross-sectional study. Support Care Cancer 2021; 29:5329-5339. [PMID: 33661369 PMCID: PMC8295139 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-021-06080-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Caring affects carers’ psychological and physical health, mortality, and quality of life (QoL) negatively. Lower spiritual QoL is associated with anxiety and depression, but the spiritual dimension is rarely investigated in carers. The present study aimed to explore which patient- and carer-related characteristics were associated with spiritual QoL in carers of patients with advanced cancer. Methods Secondary analyses were conducted using data from a prospective study investigating integration between oncology and palliative care. Adult patients with advanced cancer and their carers were included, and baseline data considering demographics, clinical characteristics, symptoms, social support, and religious meaning-making were registered. Spiritual QoL was measured using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Spiritual well-being (FACIT-Sp-12) questionnaire. Associations to spiritual QoL were explored by bivariate and multivariate regression models. Results In total, 84 carers were included, median age was 62.5 years, 52 (62%) were female, and the average spiritual QoL score was 23.3. In bivariate analyses, higher education, social support, and lower patients’ symptom burden were significantly associated with higher spiritual QoL. The multivariate regression model (n=77) had an explained variance (R2) = 0.34 and showed a significant association for social support, higher education, having children < 18 years living at home, and patient’s age. Conclusion The study indicates that spiritual QoL in carers were low and were negatively affected by several factors related to both carers and patients. However, there could be other important factors not yet described. Health care professionals should be aware of the known associated factors, as carers who hold these may need extra support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingebrigt Røen
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway.
- St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, 4. etg. Kunnskapssenteret vest, St. Olavs Hospital, 7006, Trondheim, Norway.
- Chaplaincy, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Anne-Tove Brenne
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
- St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, 4. etg. Kunnskapssenteret vest, St. Olavs Hospital, 7006, Trondheim, Norway
- Cancer Clinic, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Cinzia Brunelli
- Palliative Care, Pain Therapy and Rehabilitation Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Hans Stifoss-Hanssen
- Center of diakonia and professional practice, VID Specialized University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gunn Grande
- Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Manchester, Manchester, England
| | - Tora Skeidsvoll Solheim
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
- St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, 4. etg. Kunnskapssenteret vest, St. Olavs Hospital, 7006, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Stein Kaasa
- European Palliative Care Research Centre (PRC), Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne Kari Knudsen
- European Palliative Care Research Centre (PRC), Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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Hadjisavva IC, Papastavrou E, Kouta C. Knowledge and Attitudes of Home Care Nurses in Cyprus in the Management of Cancer Pain. HOME HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT AND PRACTICE 2021. [DOI: 10.1177/1084822320957287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Pain is a common symptom for cancer patients. It is a problem for themselves and their relatives. Nurses are confronted with the treatment of cancer pain in their everyday clinical practice. Efficient management requires accurate and appropriate knowledge, positive attitudes, and competent evaluation skills. The aim is to explore the knowledge and attitudes of Cypriot home care nurses in pain management of cancer patients. Regarding methodology, a quantitative descriptive design was used and the data were collected with the Greek version of the McCaffery and Ferrell Nurses’ Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain questionnaire along with a demographic questionnaire. The sample of the study consisted of home care nurses working in non-profit organizations in Cyprus ( n = 31). For the analysis of data, the SPSSv.21. was used and the statistical significance was set to the p = .05. Results revealed of the total of 35 questions only 13 were answered correctly by the 80% of the participants. Limited knowledge was reported mainly on the duration of action, the effect and dosage of Pethidine, the risk of addiction and the use of non-medication interventions. Significant differences were found to the level of knowledge as regards the age and the experience of nurses. In the case study exercise, it was found that false assessment of pain was related to wrong decisions. Nurses’ attitudes seemed to be positive. In conclusion, the study revealed the knowledge deficits and need for continuous education of home care nurses on the assessment and management of pain for patients with cancer. Empowering nurses with better skills to deal with pain, a most distressing symptom of cancer, will result in a better quality of life for patients. However, the integration of pain management within the national cancer strategies is also very important.
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Barlund AS, André B, Sand K, Brenne AT. A qualitative study of bereaved family caregivers: feeling of security, facilitators and barriers for rural home care and death for persons with advanced cancer. BMC Palliat Care 2021; 20:7. [PMID: 33419428 PMCID: PMC7796575 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-020-00705-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND For cancer patients and their family, an important factor that determines the choice to die at home is the caregivers' feeling of security when caring for the patient at home. Support to caregivers from healthcare professionals is important for the feeling of security. In rural areas, long distances and variable infrastructure may influence on access to healthcare services. This study explored factors that determined the security of caregivers of patients with advanced cancer who cared for the patients at home at the end of life in the rural region of Sogn og Fjordane in Norway, and what factors that facilitated home death. METHODS A qualitative study using semi-structured in-depth interviews with bereaved with experience from caring for cancer patients at home at the end of life was performed. Meaning units were extracted from the transcribed interviews and divided into categories and subcategories using Kvale and Brinkmann's qualitative method for analysis. RESULTS Ten bereaved caregivers from nine families where recruited. Five had lived together with the deceased. Three main categories of factors contributing to security emerged from the analysis: "Personal factors", "Healthcare professionals" and "Organization" of healthcare. Healthcare professionals and the organization of healthcare services contributed most to the feeling of security. CONCLUSION Good competence in palliative care among healthcare professionals caring for patients with advanced cancer at home and well- organized palliative care services with defined responsibilities provided security to caregivers caring for advanced cancer patients at home in Sogn og Fjordane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Sæle Barlund
- Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. .,Cancer Department, Førde Central Hospital, Førde, Norway.
| | - Beate André
- Department of Public Health and Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Kari Sand
- Department of Health Research, SINTEF Digital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Anne-Tove Brenne
- European Palliative Care Research Centre, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.,Cancer Clinic, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
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