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Butler AE, Riegel M, Speedie L, Ranse K, Buckley T. The impact of COVID-19 on the provision of bereavement support in Australian intensive care units: A national survey. Aust Crit Care 2024; 37:577-584. [PMID: 38065795 DOI: 10.1016/j.aucc.2023.10.008] [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: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bereavement support is a vital part of caring for families when a patient dies in the intensive care unit (ICU). Previous research has demonstrated that while many ICUs provide some informal aspects of bereavement care, formalised follow-up programmes are uncommon. The impacts of COVID-19 on ICU-based bereavement support are currently unknown. OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study were to explore the current provision of bereavement support in Australian ICUs and identify the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on these services. METHODS A cross-sectional exploratory web-based survey was used. The survey was distributed to one senior nurse in each public and private adult, paediatric, and neonatal ICU in Australia between April and July 2022. Descriptive statistics and reflexive thematic analysis were used to analyse the data. Ethical approval was received from La Trobe University. RESULTS One hundred and four ICUs from 82 hospitals responded to the survey, with 36 units reporting a formal bereavement follow-up service. When compared to prepandemic levels, almost all of the common bereavement care practices explored in the survey were significantly reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Open-ended responses also demonstrated significant impacts of COVID-19 on bereavement care provision, particularly related to Restricted family togetherness, Logistical Challenges, and Impacts on Staff. Staff members reported adjusting care provision in response to these challenges by exploring Alternative family communications, Facilitation of family togetherness, and Increasing familysupports. CONCLUSIONS Many of the common elements of ICU-based bereavement care were significantly reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the number of formal bereavement follow-up services in Australian ICUs remains largely unchanged since 2015. Ongoing research is needed to explore the long-term effects of these changes on staff and family wellbeing and on ongoing provision of ICU-based bereavement support.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Melissa Riegel
- Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Lisa Speedie
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, La Trobe University, Australia
| | - Kristen Ranse
- School of Nursing & Midwifery, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Australia; Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Australia
| | - Thomas Buckley
- Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
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Peng Y, Wu H, Tao J, Wang Y, Zhang M, Huang P. The Current Status of Bereavement Care in Chinese Emergency Departments: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2023:302228231224550. [PMID: 38152874 DOI: 10.1177/00302228231224550] [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: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the current status and challenges of bereavement care will help facilitate the development of bereavement care in the emergency department. However, little is known about the status of bereavement care in Chinese emergency departments and nurses' perceptions of bereavement care. We used a self-made questionnaire to survey 124 head nurses and 870 emergency nurses in 21 hospitals in Jiangsu Province in September 2023. Among 124 emergency departments, 78 (62.90%) emergency departments provided bereavement care strategies, and the most frequent strategy was a waiting room, relevant information on funeral arrangements and the establishment of a relatively secluded environment conducive to the solace of the patient's family, or the provision of a dedicated farewell chamber. Emergency nurses believed that bereavement care is important but difficult to implement, with support resources, environment and human resources being the main challenges. In the future, further attention should be paid to the development of bereavement care in the emergency department, and the implementation of bereavement care should be supported in terms of policies, funds, resources and personnel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingxin Peng
- School of Nursing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Haoming Wu
- School of Nursing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Junjie Tao
- School of Nursing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuchuan Wang
- School of Nursing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ping Huang
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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Coventry A, Gerdtz M, McInnes E, Dickson J, Hudson P. Supporting families of patients who die in adult intensive care: A scoping review of interventions. Intensive Crit Care Nurs 2023; 78:103454. [PMID: 37253283 DOI: 10.1016/j.iccn.2023.103454] [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: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Families who perceive themselves as prepared for an impending death experience reduced psychological burden during bereavement. Understanding which interventions promote death preparedness in families during end-of-life care in intensive care will inform future intervention development and may help limit the burden of psychological symptoms associated with bereavement. AIM To identify and characterise interventions that help prepare families for the possibility of death in intensive care, incorporating barriers to intervention implementation, outcome variables and instruments used. DESIGN Scoping review using Joanna Briggs methodology, prospectively registered and reported using relevant guidelines. DATA SOURCES A systematic search of six databases from 2007 to 2023 for randomised controlled trials evaluating interventions that prepared families of intensive care patients for the possibility of death. Citations were screened against the inclusion criteria and extracted by two reviewers independently. RESULTS Seven trials met eligibility criteria. Interventions were classified: decision support, psychoeducation, information provision. Psychoeducation involving physician-led family conference, emotional support and written information reduced symptoms of anxiety, depression, prolonged grief, and post-traumatic stress in families during bereavement. Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress were assessed most frequently. Barriers and facilitators to intervention implementation were seldom reported. CONCLUSION This review provides a conceptual framework of interventions to prepare families for death in intensive care, while highlighting a gap in rigorously conducted empirical research in this area. Future research should focus on theoretically informed, family-clinician communication, and explore the benefits of integrating existing multidisciplinary palliative care guidelines to deliver family conference within intensive care. IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE Intensive care clinicians should consider innovative communication strategies to build family-clinician connectedness in remote pandemic conditions. To prepare families for an impending death, mnemonic guided physician-led family conference and printed information could be implemented to prepare families for death, dying and bereavement. Mnemonic guided emotional support during dying and family conference after death may also assist families seeking closure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alysia Coventry
- Department of Nursing, Melbourne School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria 3010, Australia; The Centre for Palliative Care, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, 172 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002, Australia; Nursing Research Institute, St Vincent's Health Network Sydney, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne & Australian Catholic University, Level 5, 215 Spring Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia. https://twitter.com/@AlysiaCoventry
| | - Marie Gerdtz
- Department of Nursing, Melbourne School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria 3010, Australia. https://twitter.com/@MarieGerdtz
| | - Elizabeth McInnes
- Nursing Research Institute, St Vincent's Health Network Sydney, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne & Australian Catholic University, Level 5, 215 Spring Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Jessica Dickson
- Library and Academic Research Services, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia. https://twitter.com/@jess_dickson15
| | - Peter Hudson
- Department of Nursing, Melbourne School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria 3010, Australia; The Centre for Palliative Care, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, 172 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002, Australia; Vrije University, Brussels, Belgium
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Brekelmans ACM, Ramnarain D, Pouwels S. Bereavement Support Programs in the Intensive Care Unit: A Systematic Review. J Pain Symptom Manage 2022; 64:e149-e157. [PMID: 35618249 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2022.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The death of a loved one in the intensive care unit (ICU) may have a psychological impact on relatives of deceased ICU patients. The first aim of this review is to give an overview of different bereavement support strategies and possible different effects on anxiety, depression, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and complicated grief. Secondly to assess if there is a difference in organization among bereavement support strategies mentioned in literature. METHODS A multi-database search (Pubmed, Web of Science, PsychInfo, Medline, and Embase) was conducted until February 6, 2021. Articles were screened and selected by two independent researchers. Methodological quality of the included articles was assessed using the Delphi List for Quality Assessment of Randomized Clinical Trials and the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS) for nonrandomized trials. RESULTS The primary literature search revealed 1668 articles, including 769 duplicates. Seven articles were included in this review, of which six were randomized controlled trials and one was a prospective cross-sectional study. We found that a bereavement strategy consisting of a communication strategy and a brochure lowered the appearance of symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression. A brochure, condolence card, and phone call as bereavement support can lower the risk of prolonged grief. Receiving information about CPR and getting the choice to attend CPR led to fewer frequencies of PTSD, depression, and traumatic/complicated grief. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS A bereavement strategy consisting of multiple parts, including family participation and a brochure may reduce the levels of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and/or complicated bereavement in family members of deceased ICU patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C M Brekelmans
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital, Tilburg, (A.C.M.B, D.R., S.P) The Netherlands
| | - Dharmanand Ramnarain
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital, Tilburg, (A.C.M.B, D.R., S.P) The Netherlands; Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Saxenburg Medical Centre, Hardenberg, (D.R.) The Netherlands
| | - Sjaak Pouwels
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital, Tilburg, (A.C.M.B, D.R., S.P) The Netherlands.
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Sanderson EAM, Humphreys S, Walker F, Harris D, Carduff E, McPeake J, Boyd K, Pattison N, Lone NI. Risk factors for complicated grief among family members bereaved in intensive care unit settings: A systematic review. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0264971. [PMID: 35271633 PMCID: PMC8912194 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Families of intensive care unit (ICU) decedents are at increased risk of experiencing complicated grief. However, factors associated with complicated grief in ICU and bereavement needs assessment are not available routinely. We aimed to conduct a systematic review identifying risk factors associated with complicated grief among family members of ICU decedents. Materials and methods MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science were searched to identify relevant articles. Observational studies and randomised and non-randomised controlled trials were included. Studies were screened and quality appraised in duplicate. Risk of bias was assessed using Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. A narrative synthesis was undertaken. Results Seven studies conducted across three continents were eligible. Four studies were of high quality. 61 risk factors were investigated across the studies. Factors associated with a decreased risk of complicated grief included age, patient declining treatment and involvement in decision-making. Factors associated with increased risk included living alone, partner, dying while intubated, problematic communication, and not having the opportunity to say goodbye. Conclusion This systematic review has identified risk factors which may help identify family members at increased risk of complicated grief. Many of the studies has small sample sizes increasing the risk of erroneously reporting no effect due to type II error. Some factors are specific to the ICU setting and are potentially modifiable. Bereavement services tailored to the needs of bereaved family members in ICU settings are required. (PROSPERO registration ID 209503)
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Daniel Harris
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Kirsty Boyd
- Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Natalie Pattison
- University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
- East and North Herts NHS Trust, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Nazir I. Lone
- Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Boven C, Dillen L, Van den Block L, Piers R, Van Den Noortgate N, Van Humbeeck L. In-Hospital Bereavement Services as an Act of Care and a Challenge: An Integrative Review. J Pain Symptom Manage 2022; 63:e295-e316. [PMID: 34695567 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2021.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Globally, people most often die within hospitals. As such, healthcare providers in hospitals are frequently confronted with dying persons and their bereaved relatives. OBJECTIVES To provide an overview of the current role hospitals take in providing bereavement care. Furthermore, we want to present an operational definition of bereavement care, the way it is currently implemented, relatives' satisfaction of receiving these services, and finally barriers and facilitators regarding the provision of bereavement care. METHODS An integrative review was conducted by searching four electronic databases, from January 2011 to December 2020, resulting in 47 studies. Different study designs were included and results were reported in accordance with the theoretical framework of Whittemore and Knafl (2005). RESULTS Only four articles defined bereavement care: two as services offered solely post loss and the other two as services offered pre and post loss. Although different bereavement services were delivered the time surrounding the death, the follow-up of bereaved relatives was less routinely offered. Relatives appreciated all bereavement services, which were rather informally and ad-hoc provided to them. Healthcare providers perceived bereavement care as important, but the provision was challenged by numerous factors (such as insufficient education and time). CONCLUSION Current in-hospital bereavement care can be seen as an act of care that is provided ad-hoc, resulting from the good-will of individual staff members. A tiered or stepped approach based on needs is preferred, as it allocates funds towards individuals-at-risk. Effective partnerships between hospitals and the community can be a useful, sustainable and cost-effective strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Boven
- Department of Geriatric Medicine (C.B., R.P., N.V.D.N., L.V.H.), Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Let Dillen
- Department of Geriatric Medicine and Palliative Care Unit (L.D.), Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lieve Van den Block
- End-of-life Care Research Group (L.V.D.B.), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) & Ghent University, Brussels Health Campus (Building C), Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium & Campus Ghent University Hospital (Entrance 42 K3), Ghent, Belgium; Department of Family Medicine and Chronic Care (L.V.D.B.), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ruth Piers
- Department of Geriatric Medicine (C.B., R.P., N.V.D.N., L.V.H.), Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nele Van Den Noortgate
- Department of Geriatric Medicine (C.B., R.P., N.V.D.N., L.V.H.), Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Liesbeth Van Humbeeck
- Department of Geriatric Medicine (C.B., R.P., N.V.D.N., L.V.H.), Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
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Erikson AE, Puntillo KA, McAdam JL. Bereavement Experiences of Families in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. Am J Crit Care 2022; 31:13-23. [PMID: 34972855 DOI: 10.4037/ajcc2022859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Losing a loved one in the intensive care unit is associated with complicated grief and increased psychologic distress for families. Providing bereavement support may help families during this time. However, little is known about the bereavement experiences of families of patients in the cardiac intensive care unit. OBJECTIVE To describe the bereavement experiences of families of patients in the cardiac intensive care unit. METHODS In this secondary analysis, an exploratory, descriptive design was used to understand the families' bereavement experiences. Families from 1 cardiac intensive care unit in a tertiary medical center in the western United States participated. Audiotaped telephone interviews were conducted by using a semistructured interview guide 13 to 15 months after the patient's death. A qualitative, descriptive technique was used for data analysis. Two independent researchers coded the interview transcripts and identified themes. RESULTS Twelve family members were interviewed. The majority were female (n = 8, 67%), spouses (n = 10, 83%), and White (n = 10, 83%); the mean age (SD) was 58.4 (16.7) years. Five main themes emerged: (1) families' bereavement work included both practical tasks and emotional processing; (2) families' bereavement experiences were individual; (3) these families were resilient and found their own resources and coping mechanisms; (4) the suddenness of a patient's death influenced families' bereavement experiences; and (5) families' experiences in the intensive care unit affected their bereavement. CONCLUSIONS This study provided insight into the bereavement experiences of families of patients in the cardiac intensive care unit. These findings may be useful for professionals working with bereaved families and for cardiac intensive care units considering adding bereavement support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa E. Erikson
- Alyssa E. Erikson is an associate professor, California State University, Monterey Bay, California
| | - Kathleen A. Puntillo
- Kathleen A. Puntillo is a professor emeritus, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Jennifer L. McAdam
- Jennifer L. McAdam is a professor, Samuel Merritt University, San Mateo, California
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A national Position Statement on adult end-of-life care in critical care. Aust Crit Care 2021; 35:480-487. [PMID: 34384650 DOI: 10.1016/j.aucc.2021.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Patient death in critical care is not uncommon. Rather, the provision of end-of-life care is a core feature of critical care nursing, yet not all nurses feel adequately prepared for their role in the provision of end-of-life care. For this reason, the Australian College of Critical Care Nurses (ACCCN) supported the development of a Position Statement to provide nurses with clear practice recommendations to guide the provision of end-of-life care, which reflect the most relevant evidence and information associated with end-of-life care for adult patients in Australian critical care settings. A systematic literature search was conducted between June and July, 2020 in CINAHL Complete, Medline, and EMBASE databases to locate research evidence related to key elements of end-of-life care in critical care. Preference was given to the most recent Australian or Australasian research evidence, where available. Once the practice recommendations were drafted in accordance with the research evidence, a clinical expert review panel was established. The panel comprised clinically active ACCCN members with at least 12 months of clinical experience. The clinical expert review panel participated in an eDelphi process to provide face validity for practice recommendations and a subsequent online meeting to suggest additional refinements and ensure the final practice recommendations were meaningful and practical for critical care nursing practice in Australia. ACCCN Board members also provided independent review of the Position Statement. This Position Statement is intended to provide practical guidance to critical care nurses in the provision of adult end-of-life care in Australian critical care settings.
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Galazzi A, Adamini I, Bazzano G, Cancelli L, Fridh I, Laquintana D, Lusignani M, Rasero L. Intensive care unit diaries to help bereaved family members in their grieving process: a systematic review. Intensive Crit Care Nurs 2021; 68:103121. [PMID: 34373147 DOI: 10.1016/j.iccn.2021.103121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intensive care unit diaries are often used to support patients during their psychological recovery. The intensive care unit stay can be upsetting, disturbing and traumatic for both patients and their families especially when the patient does not survive. AIM To investigate the connection between intensive care unit diaries and the grieving process experienced by family members of adult patients deceased in the intensive care unit. METHODS Systematic literature review according to PRISMA guidelines: PubMed, CINAHL and Cochrane Library were consulted. The Caldwell's framework was used for the quality appraisal. RESULTS Only six studies examine this topic. The potential benefits of intensive care unit diaries in family members' bereavement process may be an aid to realise how extremely ill their loved one was, may provide comfort and may help relatives to cope with their loss. CONCLUSION The use of intensive care unit diaries to help family members' bereavement process may be a useful tool but further research is necessary to better understand their role and benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Galazzi
- Department of Healthcare Professions, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
| | - Ileana Adamini
- Department of Healthcare Professions, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
| | - Giacomo Bazzano
- Department of Healthcare Professions, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
| | - Livia Cancelli
- Department of Healthcare Professions, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
| | - Isabell Fridh
- Faculty of Caring Science, Work Life and Social Welfare, University of Borås, Borås, Sweden; Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Dario Laquintana
- Department of Healthcare Professions, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
| | - Maura Lusignani
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
| | - Laura Rasero
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
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