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Suntai Z, Noh H, Lee L, Bell JG, Lippe MP, Lee HY. Quality of Care at the End of Life: Applying the Intersection of Race and Gender. THE GERONTOLOGIST 2024; 64:gnad012. [PMID: 36786381 DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnad012] [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: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Research on racial and gender disparities in end-of-life care quality has burgeoned over the past few decades, but few studies have incorporated the theory of intersectionality, which posits that membership in 2 or more vulnerable groups may result in increased hardships across the life span. As such, this study aimed to examine the intersectional effect of race and gender on the quality of care received at the end of life among older adults. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Data were derived from the combined Round 3 to Round 10 of the National Health and Aging Trends Study. For multivariate analyses, 2 logistic regression models were run; Model 1 included the main effects of race and gender and Model 2 included an interaction term for race and gender. RESULTS Results revealed that White men were the most likely to have excellent or good care at the end of life, followed by White women, Black men, and Black women, who were the least likely to have excellent or good care at the end of life. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS These results point to a significant disadvantage for Black women, who had worse end-of-life care quality than their gender and racial peers. Practice interventions may include cultural humility training and a cultural match between patients and providers. From a policy standpoint, a universal health insurance plan would reduce the gap in end-of-life service access and quality for Black women, who are less likely to have supplemental health care coverage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zainab Suntai
- Diana R. Garland School of Social Work, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | - Hyunjin Noh
- School of Social Work, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
| | - Lewis Lee
- School of Social Work, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
| | - John Gregory Bell
- College of Community Health Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
| | - Megan P Lippe
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Hee Yun Lee
- School of Social Work, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
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Puente-Fernández D, Soto Felipe C, Mota-Romero E, Esteban-Burgos AA, Montoya-Juárez R, Roldan-Lopez de Hierro CB. Cultural adaptation and validation of the Quality of Dying in Long-term Care (QoD-LTC and QoD-LTC-C) scales by caregivers in nursing homes. Psychogeriatrics 2023; 23:1061-1070. [PMID: 37781959 DOI: 10.1111/psyg.13030] [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: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a lack of tools that can evaluate quality of dying in nursing homes from the perspective of deceased patients' caregivers. The aim of this study was to adapt and validate the caregivers' versions of the Quality of Dying in Long-Term Care (QoD-LTC) and Quality of Dying in Long-Term Care Complete (QoD-LTC-C) scales in the Spanish context. METHODS This was a cultural adaptation and validation study. The scales were translated from English to Spanish and vice versa, and 13 experts in end-of-life care participated in a two-round Delphi panel. Caregivers of 69 deceased residents from seven nursing homes in southern Spain completed both scales. Reliability, feasibility, and concurrent validity with global quality of dying perception and symptom burden (Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale), were evaluated. RESULTS Spanish caregivers' version of the QoD-LTC scale showed good internal consistency for the total scale (α = 0.74) and each of its three factors, and good inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.50) and test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.81). The Spanish QoD-LTC-C scale for caregivers showed good internal consistency for the total scale (α = 0.81) and for its component factors, and good test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.89) and inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.66). Both scales correlated with family caregivers' global perception of deceased residents' quality of dying (r = 0.39; r = 0.32), but not with the ESAS score. CONCLUSIONS Both scales presented an adequate factorial structure, internal consistency, and reliability to assess caregivers' perception of the quality of dying in Spanish nursing homes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Puente-Fernández
- Department of Nursing, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Health Research Institute (IBS), Granada, Spain
| | | | - Emilio Mota-Romero
- Department of Nursing, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Health Research Institute (IBS), Granada, Spain
- Salvador Caballero Health Care Centre, Granada-Metropolitan Primary Care District, Andalusia Health Service, Granada, Spain
| | | | - Rafael Montoya-Juárez
- Department of Nursing, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Health Research Institute (IBS), Granada, Spain
- Mind, Brain, and Behaviour Research Centre (CIMCYC), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
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Ó Coimín D, Rohde D, Foley C, O’Carroll T, Murphy R. Dying, death and bereavement: developing a national survey of bereaved relatives. BMC Palliat Care 2023; 22:14. [PMID: 36823584 PMCID: PMC9947439 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-023-01135-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Assessing and measuring the experience and quality of care provided is central to the improvement of care delivery of all healthcare systems. This paper reports on the development of a survey instrument to capture the experiences of care at end of life from the perspective of bereaved relatives in the Republic of Ireland. METHODS A multi-method, multi-stakeholder, sequential approach was adopted for this study. Items for inclusion in the survey instrument bank were identified through (1) a feasibility study and scoping literature review, (2) expert panel programme board review, (3) focus groups and (4) gap analysis. The following steps were undertaken to prioritise the items for inclusion in the final survey instrument: (1) a Delphi study (2) technical expert panel review (3) cognitive interviews with bereaved relatives and an (4) expert panel programme board review. RESULTS Following an iterative process with key stakeholders, a survey instrument was developed with sections focusing on the provision of care at home, in the last nursing home / residential care facility, hospice and hospital, as well as care experience in the last 2 days of life, the relative's experiences of care and support, the circumstances of care surrounding death and demographic information. In total, a bank of 123 questions were prioritised to be included in the National End of Life Survey instrument. CONCLUSION The survey will provide a standardised national approach to capturing the experience of care of those who have died, from the perspective of bereaved relatives in the Republic of Ireland. This will allow health service providers, policy makers and regulators to gather important insights into the experiences of care at end of life and will help fulfil the requirement of healthcare services to ensure they are providing high-quality care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diarmuid Ó Coimín
- Hospice Friendly Hospitals Programme, Quality and Patient Safety Directorate, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Eccles Street, Dublin 7, Ireland.
| | - Daniela Rohde
- National Care Experience Programme, Health Information and Quality Authority, George’s Court, George’s Lane, Smithfield, Dublin 7, D07 E98Y Ireland
| | - Conor Foley
- National Care Experience Programme, Health Information and Quality Authority, George’s Court, George’s Lane, Smithfield, Dublin 7, D07 E98Y Ireland
| | - Tracy O’Carroll
- National Care Experience Programme, Health Information and Quality Authority, George’s Court, George’s Lane, Smithfield, Dublin 7, D07 E98Y Ireland
| | - Róisín Murphy
- National Care Experience Programme, Health Information and Quality Authority, George’s Court, George’s Lane, Smithfield, Dublin 7, D07 E98Y Ireland
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Hasdenteufel M, Quintard B. Psychosocial factors affecting the bereavement experience of relatives of palliative-stage cancer patients: a systematic review. Palliat Care 2022; 21:212. [PMID: 36451118 PMCID: PMC9713164 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-022-01096-y] [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: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and a cancer death is a major risk factor for pathological bereavement. This systematic review of the literature aimed to identify biopsychosocial and existential determinants specific to the palliative phase of cancer that influence the grieving experience of the caregiving relative. METHOD A systematic review of the literature was conducted without language or time restrictions. The Cairn, Cochrane Library, PubMed, PsycArticle, PsychInfo, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection databases were explored. All studies assessing pre- and post-death measures and focusing on friends and relatives caring for adults with cancer in palliative care services were included in the review. RESULTS Out of 645 articles identified, 18 full text studies were finally included in our systematic review of the literature. Many factors specific to the cancer palliative phase were identified as influencing the bereavement experience of caregivers, with factors relating to: 1) the caregiver (e.g. social support, psychological burden, preparation for loss, action and discussion related to death); 2) the patient (e.g. denial or acceptance); 3) the interactions between patient and their caregivers (e.g. tensions, communication difficulties, and presence at the time of death); and 4) the end-of-life context. The caregiver's grief experience can be described by the following terms: typical and pathological grief, anxiety, depression, guilt, psychological distress, post-traumatic stress disorder and post-traumatic growth, and life satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS Many contextual, sociodemographic, dispositional and transactional factors specific to the palliative cancer phase are involved in the caregiver's grieving experience. Avenues for reflection and recommendations are proposed including supporting communication and patient-relative relationships, evaluating the nature and degree of functionality of coping strategies, strengthening the robustness of methodologies, considering impact of COVID-19, and new lines of enquiry for research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Hasdenteufel
- grid.412041.20000 0001 2106 639XLaboratoire de Psychologie EA 4139, Université de Bordeaux, Faculté de Psychologie, 3 Ter, Place de La Victoire, 33076 Bordeaux-Cedex, France
| | - Bruno Quintard
- grid.412041.20000 0001 2106 639XLaboratoire de Psychologie EA 4139, Université de Bordeaux, Faculté de Psychologie, 3 Ter, Place de La Victoire, 33076 Bordeaux-Cedex, France
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Dust G, Schippel N, Stock S, Strupp J, Voltz R, Rietz C. Quality of care in the last year of life: adaptation and validation of the German “Views of Informal Carers’ Evaluation of Services – Last Year of Life – Cologne”. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:1433. [DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08700-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
To inform quality improvement and strengthen services provided in the last year of life, measuring quality of care is essential. For Germany, data on care experiences in the last year of life that go beyond diagnoses and care settings are still rare. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a German version of the ‘Views of Informal Carers’ Evaluation of Services – Short Form (VOICES-SF)’ suitable to assess the quality of care and services received across settings and healthcare providers in the German setting in the last year of life (VOICES-LYOL-Cologne).
Methods
VOICES-SF was adapted and translated following the ‘TRAPD’ team approach. Data collected in a retrospective cross-sectional survey with bereaved relatives in the region of Cologne, Germany were used to assess validity and reliability.
Results
Data from 351 bereaved relatives of adult decedents were analysed. The VOICES-LYOL-Cologne demonstrated construct validity in performing according to expected patterns, i.e. correlation of scores to care experiences and significant variability based on care settings. It further correlated with the PACIC-S9 Proxy, indicating good criterion validity. The newly added scale “subjective experiences of process and outcome of care in the last year of life” showed good internal consistency for each given care setting, except for the homecare setting. Test-retest analyses revealed no significant differences in satisfaction ratings according to the length of time since the patient’s death. Overall, our data demonstrated the feasibility of collecting patient care experiences reported by proxy-respondents across multiple care settings.
Conclusion
VOICES-LYOL-Cologne is the first German instrument to analyse care experiences in the last year of life in a comprehensive manner and encourages further research in German-speaking countries. This instrument enables the comparison of quality of care between settings and may be used to inform local and national quality improvement activities.
Trial registration
This study was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00011925; Date of registration: 13/06/2017).
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Lo JJM, Graves N, Chee JH, Hildon ZJL. A systematic review defining non-beneficial and inappropriate end-of-life treatment in patients with non-cancer diagnoses: theoretical development for multi-stakeholder intervention design in acute care settings. BMC Palliat Care 2022; 21:195. [DOI: 10.1186/s12904-022-01071-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Non-beneficial treatment is closely tied to inappropriate treatment at the end-of-life. Understanding the interplay between how and why these situations arise in acute care settings according to the various stakeholders is pivotal to informing decision-making and best practice at end-of-life.
Aim
To define and understand determinants of non-beneficial and inappropriate treatments for patients with a non-cancer diagnosis, in acute care settings at the end-of-life.
Design
Systematic review of peer-reviewed studies focusing on the above and conducted in upper-middle- and high-income countries. A narrative synthesis was undertaken, guided by Realist principles.
Data sources
Cochrane; PubMed; Scopus; Embase; CINAHL; and Web of Science.
Results
Sixty-six studies (32 qualitative, 28 quantitative, and 6 mixed-methods) were included after screening 4,754 papers. Non-beneficial treatment was largely defined as when the burden of treatment outweighs any benefit to the patient. Inappropriate treatment at the end-of-life was similar to this, but additionally accounted for patient and family preferences.
Contexts in which outcomes related to non-beneficial treatment and/or inappropriate treatment occurred were described as veiled by uncertainty, driven by organizational culture, and limited by profiles and characteristics of involved stakeholders. Mechanisms relating to ‘Motivation to Address Conflict & Seek Agreement’ helped to lessen uncertainty around decision-making. Establishing agreement was reliant on ‘Valuing Clear Communication and Sharing of Information’. Reaching consensus was dependent on ‘Choices around Timing & Documenting of end-of-life Decisions’.
Conclusion
A framework mapping determinants of non-beneficial and inappropriate end-of-life treatment is developed and proposed to be potentially transferable to diverse contexts. Future studies should test and update the framework as an implementation tool.
Trial registration
PROSPERO Protocol CRD42021214137.
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Ananth P, Wolfe J, Johnston EE. Charting a path to high-quality end-of-life care for children with cancer. Cancer 2022; 128:3586-3592. [PMID: 36006762 PMCID: PMC9530011 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.34419] [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: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
There are currently no quality measures for end-of-life (EOL) care for children with cancer. In this commentary, we address why it is essential that we develop quality measures for EOL care for children with cancer, review the progress made to date, and chart the course for future work in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasanna Ananth
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
- Yale Cancer Outcomes, Public Policy and Effectiveness Research Center, New Haven, CT
| | - Joanne Wolfe
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Emily E. Johnston
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
- Institute for Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
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Ross L, Neergaard MA, Petersen MA, Groenvold M. The quality of end-of-life care for Danish cancer patients who have received non-specialized palliative care: a national survey using the Danish version of VOICES-SF. Support Care Cancer 2022; 30:9507-9516. [PMID: 35982298 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-022-07302-0] [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: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE About half of Danish patients dying from cancer have never been in contact with specialized palliative care. Non-specialized palliative care in Denmark, i.e., somatic hospital departments, community nurses, and general practitioners, has rarely been described or evaluated. We aim to assess how non-specialized palliative care was evaluated by bereaved spouses, and to test whether distress when completing the questionnaire and ratings of aspects of end-of-life care was associated with satisfaction with place of death and overall quality of end-of-life care. METHODS Bereaved spouses of 792 cancer patients who had received non-specialized palliative care were invited to answer the Views of Informal Carers-Evaluation of Services-Short Form (VOICES-SF) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) 3-9 months after the patient's death. RESULTS A total of 280 (36%) of invited spouses participated. In the last 3 months of the patient's life, the quality of all services taken together was rated as good, excellent, or outstanding in 70% of the cases. Satisfaction was associated with respondent's current distress (p = 0.0004). Eighty percent of bereaved spouses believed that the patient had died in the right place. Satisfaction with place of death was associated with place of death (p = 0.012) and the respondent's current distress (p = 0.0016). CONCLUSION Satisfaction with place of death and overall quality of services was generally high but was rated lower by spouses reporting higher levels of distress when completing the questionnaire. Distress should be taken into account whenever services are evaluated by bereaved relatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lone Ross
- The Palliative Care Research Unit, Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen NV, DK-2400, Denmark.
| | | | - Morten Aagaard Petersen
- The Palliative Care Research Unit, Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen NV, DK-2400, Denmark
| | - Mogens Groenvold
- The Palliative Care Research Unit, Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen NV, DK-2400, Denmark.,Department of Public Health, Section for Health Services Research, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, Copenhagen K, DK-1353, Denmark
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Hoare S, Antunes B, Kelly MP, Barclay S. End-of-life care quality measures: beyond place of death. BMJ Support Palliat Care 2022:spcare-2022-003841. [PMID: 35859151 DOI: 10.1136/spcare-2022-003841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND How quality in healthcare is measured shapes care provision, including how and what care is delivered. In end-of-life care, appropriate measurement can facilitate effective care and research, and when used in policy, highlight deficits and developments in provision and endorse the discipline necessity. The most prevalent end-of-life quality metric, place of death, is not a quality measure: it gives no indication of the quality of care or patient experience in the place of death. AIM To evaluate alternative measures to place of death for assessing quality of care in end-of-life provision in all settings. METHOD We examine current end-of-life care quality measures for use as metrics for quality in end-of-life care. We categorise approaches to measurement as either: clinical instruments, mortality follow-back surveys or organisational data. We review each category using four criteria: care setting, patient population, measure feasibility, care quality. RESULTS While many of the measure types were highly developed for their specific use, each had limitations for measuring quality of care for a population. Measures were deficient because they lacked potential for reporting end-of-life care for patients not in receipt of specialist palliative care, were reliant on patient-proxy accounts, or were not feasible across all care settings. CONCLUSION None of the current end-of-life care metric categories can currently be feasibly used to compare the quality of end-of-life care provision for all patients in all care settings. We recommend the development of a bespoke measure or judicious selection and combination of existing measures for reviewing end-of-life care quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Hoare
- The Healthcare Improvement Studies Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Bárbara Antunes
- Palliative & End of Life Care in Cambridge (PELiCam), Primary Care Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Cambridge, UK
| | - Michael P Kelly
- Palliative & End of Life Care in Cambridge (PELiCam), Primary Care Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Cambridge, UK
| | - Stephen Barclay
- Palliative & End of Life Care in Cambridge (PELiCam), Primary Care Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Cambridge, UK
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DeYoreo M, Anhang Price R, Montemayor CK, Tolpadi A, Bradley M, Schlang D, Teno JM, Cleary PD, Elliott MN. Adjusting for Patient Characteristics to Compare Quality of Care Provided by Serious Illness Programs. J Palliat Med 2022; 25:1041-1049. [PMID: 35073173 PMCID: PMC9248337 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2021.0423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: To compare serious illness programs (SIPs) using recently developed patient experience measures, adjustment must be made for patient characteristics not under control of the programs. Objectives: To develop a case-mix adjustment model to enable fair comparison of patient experience between SIPs by investigating the roles of patient characteristics, proxy response, and mode of survey administration (mail-only vs. mail with telephone follow-up) in survey responses. Methods: Using survey data from 2263 patients from 32 home-based SIPs across the United States, we fit regression models to assess the association between patient-level variables and scores for seven quality measures (Communication, Care Coordination, Help for Symptoms, Planning for Care, Support for Family and Friends, and two global assessments of care). Characteristics that are not consequences of the care the program delivered were considered as adjustors. Results: Final recommended case-mix adjustors are age, education, primary diagnosis, self-reported functional status, self-rated physical health, self-rated mental health, proxy respondent use, and response percentile (a measure of how soon a person responded compared with others in the same program and mode). Age, primary diagnosis, self-rated mental health, and proxy respondent use had the most impact on program-level scores. We also recommend adjusting for mode of survey administration. We find that up to 12 percent of pairs of programs would have their rankings reversed by adjustment. Conclusions: To ensure fair comparison of programs, scores should be case-mix adjusted for variables that influence patients' reports about care quality, but are not under the control of the program administering care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria DeYoreo
- RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, California, USA
- Address correspondence to: Maria DeYoreo, PhD, RAND Corporation, 1776 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Joan M. Teno
- Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Paul D. Cleary
- Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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11
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Saunders CH, Durand MA, Kirkland KB, MacMartin MA, Barnato AE, Elwyn G. Psychometric assessment of the consideRATE questions, a new measure of serious illness experience, with an online simulation study. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2022; 105:2581-2589. [PMID: 35260261 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2022.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the psychometric properties of the consideRATE questions, a measure of serious illness experience. METHODS We recruited people at least 50 years old via paid panels online, with US-Census-based quotas. We randomized participants to a patient experience story at two time points. Participants completed a series of measures, including the consideRATE questions. We assessed convergent (Pearson's correlation), discriminative (one-way ANOVA with Tukey's test for multiple comparisons) and divergent (Pearson's correlation) validity. We also assessed intra-rater reliability (intra-class correlation) and responsiveness to change (t-tests). RESULTS We included 809 individuals in our analysis. We established convergent validity (r = 0.77; p < 0.001); discriminative validity (bad/neutral stories [mean diff=0.4; p < 0.001]; neutral/ good stories [mean diff=1.3; p < 0.001]) and moderate divergent validity (r = 0.57; p < 0.001). We established sensitivity to change in all stories (bad/good [mean diff=1.52; p < 0.001]; good/bad [mean diff= -1.68; p < 0.001]; neutral/bad [mean diff= -0.57; p < 0.001]; good/neutral [mean diff= -1.11; p < 0.001]; neutral/good [mean diff= 1.1; p < 0.001]) but one (bad/neutral [mean diff= 0.4; p < 0.07]). Intra-rater reliability was demonstrated between time points (r = 0.77; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS the consideRATE questions were reliable and valid in a simulated online test. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS the consideRATE questions may be a practical way to measure serious illness experience and the effectiveness of interventions to improve it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine H Saunders
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Dartmouth College, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, USA; Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, USA.
| | - Marie-Anne Durand
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Dartmouth College, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, USA.
| | - Kathryn B Kirkland
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Dartmouth College, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, USA; Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, USA.
| | | | - Amber E Barnato
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Dartmouth College, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, USA; Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, USA.
| | - Glyn Elwyn
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Dartmouth College, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, USA.
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Harrison KL, Cenzer I, Ankuda CK, Hunt LJ, Aldridge MD. Hospice Improves Care Quality For Older Adults With Dementia In Their Last Month Of Life. HEALTH AFFAIRS (PROJECT HOPE) 2022; 41:821-830. [PMID: 35666964 PMCID: PMC9662595 DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2021.01985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The Medicare hospice benefit was originally designed around a cancer disease paradigm but increasingly serves people living with dementia. At this time, almost half of all older adults receiving hospice care have dementia. Yet there is minimal evidence as to whether hospice benefits people living with dementia outside of nursing facilities. We asked whether and how the perceived quality of last-month-of-life care differed between people with and without dementia and whether hospice use among people living with dementia was associated with perceived quality of care compared with the quality of care for those who did not use hospice. We used nationally representative data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study and Medicare claims from the period 2011-17 to examine the impact of hospice enrollment on proxy perceptions of last-month-of-life care quality. Proxies of people living with dementia enrolled in hospice compared with proxies of those not enrolled more often reported care to be excellent (predicted probability: 52 percent versus 41 percent), more often reported having anxiety or sadness managed (67 percent versus 46 percent), and less often reported changes in care settings in the last three days of life (10 percent versus 25 percent). There were no differences in the impact of hospice on proxy ratings of care for people with and without dementia. Policy makers should consider these benefits when weighing changes to hospice policy and regulations that may affect people living with dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista L Harrison
- Krista L. Harrison , University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Irena Cenzer
- Irena Cenzer, University of California San Francisco
| | - Claire K Ankuda
- Claire K. Ankuda, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Lauren J Hunt
- Lauren J. Hunt, University of California San Francisco
| | - Melissa D Aldridge
- Melissa D. Aldridge, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and James J. Peters Bronx Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, New York
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13
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Edelen MO, Rodriguez A, Huang W, Gramling R, Ahluwalia SC. A novel Scale to Assess Palliative Care Patients' Experience of Feeling Heard and Understood. J Pain Symptom Manage 2022; 63:689-697.e1. [PMID: 35017018 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2022.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Patient experience of palliative care serves as an important indicator of quality and patient-centeredness. OBJECTIVES To develop a novel patient-reported scale measuring ambulatory palliative care patients' experience of feeling heard and understood by their providers. METHODS We used self-reported patient experience data collected via mixed-mode survey administration. We conducted an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and an expert panel ranking exercise to reduce the 10-item set based on underlying dimensionality. We then used item response theory (IRT) to calibrate remaining items based on psychometric properties and test information and precision. We considered item-level fit and examined the standardized local dependence chi-square statistics. We evaluated candidate items for differential item functioning by survey mode. We evaluated the test-retest reliability and validity of the final scale. RESULTS The EFA yielded a single factor (9/10 items had loadings > 0.80 on the single factor). We removed two items with the lowest factor loadings and ranked by the expert panel as being least reflective of the overall construct. IRT calibration of the remaining eight items showed high slopes (range 2.66 - 5.18); location parameters were all negative (range -0.90 - -0.36). We removed two more items based on local dependence indices and item-level fit. Combining psychometric information with the expert ratings we established the final 4-item scale, which was reliable (Cronbach's alpha = 0.84; polychoric correlation coefficient = 0.72) and had good convergent validity. CONCLUSIONS This novel multi-item Feeling Heard and Understood scale can be used to measure and improve ambulatory palliative care patient experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria O Edelen
- Behavioral & Policy Sciences Department, RAND Corporation, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anthony Rodriguez
- Behavioral & Policy Sciences Department, RAND Corporation, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Wenjing Huang
- Behavioral & Policy Sciences Department, RAND Corporation, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Robert Gramling
- University of Vermont, Department of Family Medicine, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Sangeeta C Ahluwalia
- Behavioral & Policy Sciences Department, RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, California, USA.
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Bhadelia A, Oldfield LE, Cruz JL, Singh R, Finkelstein EA. Identifying Core Domains to Assess the "Quality of Death": A Scoping Review. J Pain Symptom Manage 2022; 63:e365-e386. [PMID: 34896278 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2021.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT There is growing recognition of the value to patients, families, society, and health systems in providing healthcare, including end-of-life care, that is consistent with both patient preferences and clinical guidelines. OBJECTIVES Identify the core domains and subdomains that can be used to evaluate the performance of end-of-life care within and across health systems. METHODS PubMed/MEDLINE (NCBI), PsycINFO (ProQuest), and CINAHL (EBSCO) databases were searched for peer-reviewed journal articles published prior to February 22, 2020. The SPIDER tool was used to determine search terms. A priori criteria were followed with independent review to identify relevant articles. RESULTS A total of 309 eligible articles were identified out of 2728 discrete results. The articles represent perspectives from the broader health system (11), patients (70), family and informal caregivers (65), healthcare professionals (43), multiple viewpoints (110), and others (10). The most common condition of focus was cancer (103) and the majority (245) of the studies concentrated on high-income country contexts. The review identified five domains and 11 subdomains focused on structural factors relevant to end-of-life care at the broader health system level, and two domains and 22 subdomains focused on experiential aspects of end-of-life care from the patient and family perspectives. The structural health system domains were: 1) stewardship and governance, 2) resource generation, 3) financing and financial protection, 4) service provision, and 5) access to care. The experiential domains were: 1) quality of care, and 2) quality of communication. CONCLUSION The review affirms the need for a people-centered approach to managing the delicate process and period of accepting and preparing for the end of life. The identified structural and experiential factors pertinent to the "quality of death" will prove invaluable for future efforts aimed to quantify health system performance in the end-of-life period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afsan Bhadelia
- Department of Global Health and Population (A.B.), Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
| | | | - Jennifer L Cruz
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences (J.L.C.), Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ratna Singh
- Lien Centre for Palliative Care (R.S., E.A.F.), Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Eric A Finkelstein
- Lien Centre for Palliative Care (R.S., E.A.F.), Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
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15
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Ananth P, Mun S, Reffat N, Kang SJ, Pitafi S, Ma X, Gross CP, Wolfe J. Refining Patient-Centered Measures of End-of-Life Care Quality for Children With Cancer. JCO Oncol Pract 2022; 18:e372-e382. [PMID: 34613797 PMCID: PMC8932486 DOI: 10.1200/op.21.00447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE There are no existing quality measures (QMs) to optimize end-of-life care for children with cancer. Previously, we developed a set of 26 candidate QMs. Our primary objective in this study was to achieve stakeholder consensus on priority measures. METHODS We conducted an iterative, cross-sectional electronic survey, using a modified Delphi method to build consensus among clinician and family stakeholders. In each of the two rounds of surveys, stakeholders were asked to rate QMs on a 9-point Likert scale, on the basis of perceived importance. Health care professionals were additionally asked to rate measures on perceived feasibility. After each round, we computed median scores on importance and feasibility of measurement, retaining QMs with median importance scores ≥ 8. RESULTS Twenty-five participants completed both rounds of the survey. In round 1, participants were asked to rate 26 QMs; nine QMs, including QMs pertaining to health care use, were removed because of median importance scores < 8. Two new measures were proposed for consideration in round 2, on the basis of participant feedback. Following round 2, 17 QMs were ultimately retained. QMs related to symptom screening and palliative care consultation were rated highly in importance and feasibility. QMs related to communication were rated highly important, yet less feasible. Measuring whether a patient's needs were heard by their health care team was rated among the least feasible. CONCLUSION Childhood cancer stakeholders prioritized QMs pertaining to patient-reported outcomes, deeming measures of health care resource use less important. Future research should seek to develop novel tools for quality assessment to enhance feasibility of implementing priority measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasanna Ananth
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT,Yale Cancer Outcomes, Public Policy and Effectiveness Research (COPPER) Center, New Haven, CT,Prasanna Ananth, MD, MPH, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Yale School of Medicine, 330 Cedar St, LMP 2082C, New Haven, CT 06510; e-mail:
| | - Sophia Mun
- Yale Cancer Outcomes, Public Policy and Effectiveness Research (COPPER) Center, New Haven, CT
| | - Noora Reffat
- Yale Cancer Outcomes, Public Policy and Effectiveness Research (COPPER) Center, New Haven, CT
| | - Soo Jung Kang
- Yale Cancer Outcomes, Public Policy and Effectiveness Research (COPPER) Center, New Haven, CT
| | - Sarah Pitafi
- Yale Cancer Outcomes, Public Policy and Effectiveness Research (COPPER) Center, New Haven, CT
| | - Xiaomei Ma
- Yale Cancer Outcomes, Public Policy and Effectiveness Research (COPPER) Center, New Haven, CT,Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT
| | - Cary P. Gross
- Yale Cancer Outcomes, Public Policy and Effectiveness Research (COPPER) Center, New Haven, CT,Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Joanne Wolfe
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA,Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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16
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Alshammari F, Jenny Sim RN, Lapkin S, Moira Stephens RN. Registered nurses’ knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about end-of-life care in non-specialist palliative care settings: A mixed studies review. Nurse Educ Pract 2022; 59:103294. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nepr.2022.103294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Kasdorf A, Dust G, Hamacher S, Schippel N, Rietz C, Voltz R, Strupp J. The last year of life for patients dying from cancer vs. non-cancer causes: a retrospective cross-sectional survey of bereaved relatives. Support Care Cancer 2022; 30:4971-4979. [PMID: 35190893 PMCID: PMC9046331 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-022-06908-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To compare health care experiences of patients with cancer or non-cancer diseases in their last year of life. METHODS A cross-sectional post-bereavement survey was conducted using an adapted German version of the VOICES questionnaire (VOICES-LYOL-Cologne). Differences in the reported experiences were assessed using a two-sided Pearson's chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS We collected data from 351 bereaved relatives. More than half of non-cancer patients were not informed that their disease could lead to death (p < 0.001). When this was communicated, in 46.7% of non-cancer and 64.5% of cancer patients, it was reported by the hospital doctor (p = 0.050). In all, 66.9% of non-cancer and 41.6% of cancer patients were not informed about death being imminent (p < 0.001). On average, non-cancer patients had significantly fewer transitions and hospital stays in their last year of life (p = 0.014; p = 0.008, respectively). Non-cancer patients were treated more often by general practitioners, and cancer patients were treated more often by specialists (p = 0.002; p = 0.002, respectively). A substantially lower proportion of non-cancer patients were treated by at least one member of or in the setting of general or specialized palliative care (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Non-cancer patients experience disadvantages in communication regarding their care and in access to specialized palliative care in their last year of life compared to cancer patients. Regarding the assessment of palliative care needs and the lack of communication of an incurable disease, non-cancer patients are underserved. An early identification of patients requiring palliative care is a major public health concern and should be addressed irrespective of diagnosis. TRIAL REGISTRATION Prospectively registered by the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00011925, data of registration: 13.06.2017).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Kasdorf
- grid.6190.e0000 0000 8580 3777Department of Palliative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Gloria Dust
- grid.6190.e0000 0000 8580 3777Department of Palliative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Stefanie Hamacher
- grid.6190.e0000 0000 8580 3777Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Institute of Medical Statistics and Computational Biology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Nicolas Schippel
- grid.6190.e0000 0000 8580 3777Department of Palliative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Christian Rietz
- grid.461780.c0000 0001 2264 5158Department of Educational Science and Mixed-Methods-Research, Faculty of Educational and Social Sciences, University of Education Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Raymond Voltz
- grid.6190.e0000 0000 8580 3777Department of Palliative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany ,grid.6190.e0000 0000 8580 3777Center for Health Services Research, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany ,grid.6190.e0000 0000 8580 3777Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Dusseldorf (CIO ABCD), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany ,grid.6190.e0000 0000 8580 3777Clinical Trials Center (ZKS), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Julia Strupp
- grid.6190.e0000 0000 8580 3777Department of Palliative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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Guirimand F, Bouleuc C, Sahut d'Izarn M, Martel-Samb P, Guy-Coichard C, Picard S, Devalois B, Ghadi V, Aegerter P. Development and Validation of the QUALI-PALLI-FAM Questionnaire for Assessing Relatives' Perception of Quality of Inpatient Palliative Care: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Survey. J Pain Symptom Manage 2021; 61:991-1001.e3. [PMID: 32979519 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Relatives of patients receiving palliative care are at risk for psychological and physical distress, and their perception of quality of care can influence patients' quality of life. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to develop and validate the QUALI-PALLI-FAM questionnaire (QUAlity of PALLIative car from FAMilies' perspective) to measure families' perception of and satisfaction with palliative care. METHODS An exploratory factor analysis was conducted, and we evaluated the questionnaire's internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha, its stability across various strata, and the correlation between the QUALI-PALLI-FAM (factors, total score, and global satisfaction) and the total score of the FAMCARE (FAMily satisfaction with CARE) questionnaire. RESULTS This multicentric prospective cross-sectional survey was conducted in seven French hospitals, namely, three palliative care units and four standard medical units with a mobile palliative care team. The questionnaire was completed by 170 relatives of patients (more than 90% of patients had advanced cancer). The final questionnaire included 14 items across three domains: organization of care and availability of caregivers, medical information provision, and confidence and involvement of relatives. Internal consistency was good for all subscales (Cronbach's α = 0.74-0.86). Our questionnaire was stable across various strata: age and gender (patients and relatives), Palliative Performance Scale scores, and care settings. The QUALI-PALLI-FAM total score was correlated with the total FAMCARE score. CONCLUSION The QUALI-PALLI-FAM appears to be a valid, reliable, and well-accepted tool to explore relatives' perception of quality of inpatient palliative care and complements the QUALI-PALLI-PAT questionnaire. Further testing is required in various settings and countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Guirimand
- Pôle Recherche SPES 'Soins Palliatifs en Société' Maison Médicale Jeanne Garnier, Paris and Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, Versailles, France.
| | - Carole Bouleuc
- Institut Curie, Département interdisciplinaire des Soins de Support, Paris, France
| | - Marine Sahut d'Izarn
- AP-HP, Hôpital Ambroise Paré, Equipe Mobile de Soins Palliatifs, Boulogne, France
| | - Patricia Martel-Samb
- AP-HP, Unité de Recherche Clinique URC HU PIFO, Hôpital Ambroise Paré, Boulogne, France
| | | | - Stéphane Picard
- Groupe Hospitalier Diaconesses Croix Saint-Simon, Unité de Soins Palliatifs, Paris, France
| | - Bernard Devalois
- Centre de Recherche et d'Enseignement interprofessionnel Bientraitance et fin de vie and AGORA (EA7892) université CY Cergy Paris Université, Cergy, France
| | | | - Philippe Aegerter
- GIRCI-IDF, Cellule Méthodologie, Paris, France et Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, Inserm, Équipe d'Épidémiologie respiratoire intégrative, CESP - Centre de recherche en Epidémiologie et Santé des Populations U1018 INSERM UPS UVSQ, 94807, Villejuif, France
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19
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Quigley DD, McCleskey SG. Improving Care Experiences for Patients and Caregivers at End of Life: A Systematic Review. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2021; 38:84-93. [PMID: 32551966 PMCID: PMC8526304 DOI: 10.1177/1049909120931468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND End-of-life care is increasing as the US population ages. Approaches to providing high-quality end-of-life care vary across setting, diseases, and populations. Several data collection tools measure patient and/or caregiver care experiences at end of life and can be used for quality improvement. Previous reviews examined palliative care improvements or available measures but none explicitly on improving care experiences. We reviewed literature on improving patient and/or caregiver end-of-life care experiences. DESIGN We searched U.S. English-language peer-reviewed and grey literature after 2000 on adult end-of-life care experiences. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines for quantitative studies, Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research approach for qualitative studies, and Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews tool for the literature reviews. SETTING Palliative and hospice care. POPULATION Full-text abstraction of 84 articles, identifying 16 articles. MEASURES Patient and/or caregiver end-of-life care experiences (captured through administrative data or direct report). RESULTS Articles examined palliative care experiences across settings; none studied hospice care experiences. Patients and/or caregivers assessed overall care experiences, clinician-staff interactions, provider communication, respect and trust, timeliness of care, spiritual support, caregiver knowledge of care plans, or bereavement support. Efforts aimed at improving end-of-life care experiences are limited and show mixed results. CONCLUSIONS Literature on improving patient and/or caregiver end-of-life care experiences is emerging and focused on palliative care experiences. Evidence on improving hospice care experiences is lacking. Research on strategies for improving end-of-life care experiences should go beyond overall care experiences to include specific aspects of palliative and hospice care experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara G McCleskey
- 8783UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, 650 Charles E. Young Dr. South, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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20
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Voltz R, Dust G, Schippel N, Hamacher S, Payne S, Scholten N, Pfaff H, Rietz C, Strupp J. Improving regional care in the last year of life by setting up a pragmatic evidence-based Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle: results from a cross-sectional survey. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e035988. [PMID: 33234614 PMCID: PMC7689073 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-035988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To set up a pragmatic Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle by analysing patient experiences and determinants of satisfaction with care in the last year of life. DESIGN Cross-sectional postbereavement survey. SETTING Regional health services research and development structure representing all health and social care providers involved in the last year of life in Cologne, a city with 1 million inhabitants in Germany. PARTICIPANTS 351 bereaved relatives of adult decedents, representative for age and gender, accidental and suspicious deaths excluded. RESULTS For the majority (89%) of patients, home was the main place of care during their last year of life. Nevertheless, 91% of patients had at least one hospital admission and 42% died in hospital. Only 60% of informants reported that the decedent had been told that the disease was leading to death. Hospital physicians broke the news most often (58%), with their communication style often (30%) being rated as 'not sensitive'. Informants indicated highly positive experiences with care provided by hospices (89% 'good') and specialist palliative home care teams (87% 'good'). This proportion dropped to 41% for acute care hospitals, this rating being determined by the feeling of not being treated with respect and dignity (OR=23.80, 95% CI 7.503 to 75.498) and the impression that hospitals did not work well together with other services (OR=8.37, 95% CI 2.141 to 32.71). CONCLUSIONS Following those data, our regional priority for action now is improvement of care in acute hospitals, with two new projects starting, first, how to recognise and communicate a limited life span, and second, how to improve care during the dying phase. Results and further improvement projects will be discussed in a working group with the city of Cologne, and repeating this survey in 2 years will be able to measure regional achievements. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER DRKS00011925.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond Voltz
- Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, Department of Palliative Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Dusseldorf (CIO ABCD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, Clinical Trials Center(ZKS), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, Center for Health Services Research, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Gloria Dust
- Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, Department of Palliative Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Nicolas Schippel
- Faculty of Human Sciences and Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Medical Sociology, Health Services Research, and Rehabilitation Science, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Stefanie Hamacher
- Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, Institute of Medical Statistics and Computational Biology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Sheila Payne
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, Division of Health Research, University of Lancaster, Lancaster, UK
| | - Nadine Scholten
- Faculty of Human Sciences and Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Medical Sociology, Health Services Research, and Rehabilitation Science, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Holger Pfaff
- Faculty of Human Sciences and Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Medical Sociology, Health Services Research, and Rehabilitation Science, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Christian Rietz
- Faculty of Educational and Social Sciences, Department of Educational Science, Heidelberg University of Education, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julia Strupp
- Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, Department of Palliative Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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Frey R, Robinson J, Old A, Raphael D, Gott M. Factors associated with overall satisfaction with care at the end-of-life: Caregiver voices in New Zealand. HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY 2020; 28:2320-2330. [PMID: 32567196 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In New Zealand, as in other industrialised societies, an ageing population has led to an increased need for palliative care services. A cross-sectional postal survey of bereaved carers was conducted in order to describe both bereaved carer experience of existing services in the last 3 months of life, and to identify factors associated with overall satisfaction with care. A self-complete questionnaire, using a modified version of the Views of Informal Carers - Evaluation of Services (VOICES) instrument was sent to 4,778 bereaved carers for registered deceased adult (>18yrs) patients in one district health board (DHB) for the period between November 2015 and December 2016. Eight hundred and twenty-six completed questionnaires were returned (response rate = 21%). The majority of respondents (83.8%) rated their overall satisfaction with care (taking all care during the last 3 months into account), as high. However, satisfaction varied by care setting. Overall satisfaction with care in hospice was significantly higher compared to other settings. Additionally, patients who died in hospice were more likely to be diagnosed with cancer and under 65 years of age. The factors associated with overall satisfaction with care in the last 2 days of life were: caregiver perceptions of treatment with dignity and respect; adequate privacy; sufficient pain relief and decisions in line with the patient's wishes. A more in-depth exploration is required to understand the quality of, and satisfaction with, care in different settings as well as the factors that contribute to high/low satisfaction with care at the end-of-life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosemary Frey
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jackie Robinson
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Andrew Old
- Waitemata District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Deborah Raphael
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Merryn Gott
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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22
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Gray C, Yefimova M, McCaa M, Goebel JR, Shreve S, Lorenz KA, Giannitrapani K. Developing Unique Insights From Narrative Responses to Bereaved Family Surveys. J Pain Symptom Manage 2020; 60:699-708. [PMID: 32428664 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Although bereaved family surveys (BFS) are routinely used quantitatively for quality assessment, open-ended and narrative responses are rarely systematically analyzed. Analysis of narrative responses may identify opportunities for improving end-of-life (EOL) care delivery. OBJECTIVES To highlight the value of routine and systematic analysis of narrative responses and to thematically summarize narrative responses to the BFS of Veterans Affairs. METHODS We analyzed more than 4600 open-ended responses to the BFS for all 2017 inpatient decedents across Veterans Affairs facilities. We used a descriptive qualitative approach to identify major themes. RESULTS Thematic findings clustered into three domains: patient needs, family needs, and facility and organizational characteristics. Patient needs include maintenance of veteran's hygiene, appropriately prescribing medications, adhering to patient wishes, physical presence in patient's final hours, and spiritual and religious care at EOL. Family and caregiver needs included enhanced communication with the patient's care team, assistance with administrative and logistical challenges after death, emotional support, and displays of respect and gratitude for the patient's life. Facility and organizational characteristics included care team coordination, optimal staffing, the importance of nonclinical staff to care, and optimizing facilities to be welcoming, equipped for individuals with disabilities, and able to provide high-quality food. CONCLUSION Systematic analysis of narrative survey data yields unique findings not routinely available through quantitative data collection and analysis. Organizations may benefit from the collection and regular analysis of narrative survey responses, which facilitate identification of needed improvements in palliative and EOL care that may improve the overall experiences for patients and families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Gray
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, California, USA.
| | - Maria Yefimova
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, California, USA; Office of Research, Patient Care Services, Stanford Healthcare, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Matthew McCaa
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, California, USA
| | - Joy R Goebel
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, California, USA; School of Nursing California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, California, USA
| | - Scott Shreve
- Hospice and Palliative Care Program, US Department of Veteran Affairs, Hospice and Palliative Care Unit, Lebanon VA Medical Center, Lebanon, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Karl A Lorenz
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, California, USA; Division of Primary Care and Population Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Karleen Giannitrapani
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, California, USA; Division of Primary Care and Population Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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Dodd SR, Payne SA, Preston NJ, Walshe CE. Understanding the Outcomes of Supplementary Support Services in Palliative Care for Older People. A Scoping Review and Mapping Exercise. J Pain Symptom Manage 2020; 60:449-459.e21. [PMID: 32201310 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Supplementary support services in palliative care for older people are increasingly common, but with neither recommended tools to measure outcomes nor reviews synthesizing anticipated outcomes. Common clinically focused tools may be less appropriate. OBJECTIVES To identify stakeholder perceptions of key outcomes from supplementary palliative care support services, then map these onto outcome measurement tools to assess relevance and item redundancy. METHODS A scoping review using the design by Arksey and O'Malley. EMBASE, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and PSYCHinfo searched using terms relating to palliative care, qualitative research, and supplementary support interventions. Articles were imported into Endnote™, and Covidence™ was used by two reviewers to assess against inclusion criteria. Included articles were imported into NVivo™ and thematically coded to identify key concepts underpinning outcomes. Each item within contender outcome measurement tools was assessed against each concept. RESULTS Sixty included articles focused on advance care planning, guided conversations, and volunteer befriending services. Four concepts were identified: enriching relationships; greater autonomy and perceived control; knowing more; and improved mental health. Mapping concepts to contender tool items revealed issues of relevance and redundancy. Some tools had no redundant items but mapped only to two of four outcome themes; others mapped to all concepts, but with many redundant questions. Tools such as ICECAP-Supportive Care Measure and McGill Quality of Life had high relevance and low redundancy. CONCLUSION Pertinent outcome concepts for these services and population are not well represented in commonly used outcome measurement tools, and this may have implications in appropriately measuring outcomes. This review and mapping method may have utility in fields where selecting appropriate outcome tools can be challenging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven R Dodd
- International Observatory on End of Life Care, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Sheila A Payne
- International Observatory on End of Life Care, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Nancy J Preston
- International Observatory on End of Life Care, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Catherine E Walshe
- International Observatory on End of Life Care, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK.
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Sudbury-Riley L, Hunter-Jones P, Al-Abdin A. Introducing the trajectory Touchpoint technique: a systematic methodology for capturing the service experiences of palliative care patients and their families. BMC Palliat Care 2020; 19:104. [PMID: 32650768 PMCID: PMC7353705 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-020-00612-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Evaluation of palliative care services is crucial in order to ensure high quality care and to plan future services in light of growing demand. There is also an acknowledgement of the need to better understand patient experiences as part of the paradigm shift from paternalistic professional and passive patient to a more collaborative partnership. However, while clinical decision-making is well-developed, the science of the delivery of care is relatively novel for most clinicians. We therefore introduce the Trajectory Touchpoint Technique (TTT), a systematic methodology designed using service delivery models and theories, for capturing the voices of palliative care service users. Methods We used design science research as our overarching methodology to build our Trajectory Touchpoint Technique. We also incorporated a range of kernel theories and service design models from the wider social sciences. We developed and tested our Trajectory Touchpoint Technique with palliative care patients and their families (n = 239) in collaboration with different hospices and hospital-based palliative care providers (n = 8). Results The Trajectory Touchpoint Technique is user-friendly, enables systematic data collection and analysis, and incorporates all tangible and intangible dimensions of palliative care important to the service user. These dimensions often go beyond clinical care to encompass wider aspects that are important to the people who use the service. Our collaborating organisations have already begun to make changes to their service delivery based on our results. Conclusions The Trajectory Touchpoint Technique overcomes several limitations of other palliative care evaluation methods, while being more comprehensive. The new technique incorporates physical, psychosocial, and spiritual aspects of palliative care, and is user-friendly for inpatients, outpatients, families, and the bereaved. The new technique has been tested with people who have a range of illnesses, in a variety of locations, among people with learning disabilities and low levels of literacy, and with children as well as adults. The Trajectory Touchpoint Technique has already uncovered many previously unrecognised opportunities for service improvement, demonstrating its ability to shape palliative care services to better meet the needs of patients and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn Sudbury-Riley
- University of Liverpool Management School, Chatham Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZH, UK.
| | | | - Ahmed Al-Abdin
- University of Liverpool Management School, Chatham Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZH, UK
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Levoy K, Buck H, Behar-Zusman V. The Impact of Varying Levels of Advance Care Planning Engagement on Perceptions of the End-of-Life Experience Among Caregivers of Deceased Patients With Cancer. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2020; 37:1045-1052. [PMID: 32281390 DOI: 10.1177/1049909120917899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Advance care planning (ACP) is used to prepare patients and caregivers for future "in the moment" decisions at the end-of-life. Patients with cancer generally do not engage in all 3 components of ACP (documented living will, health-care surrogate, end-of-life discussions); however, little is known about the impact of these varying levels of ACP engagement on caregivers postdeath. OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship between varying levels of ACP engagement and caregivers' perceptions of cancer decedents' end-of-life experiences. METHODS A secondary analysis of the 2002 to 2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study data using structural equation modeling was conducted. Five levels of ACP engagement were defined: full (discussions/documents), augmented discussions, documents only, discussions only, and no engagement. RESULTS Among the 2172 cancer death cases, the analyzed sample included 983 cases where end-of-life decisions occurred. Compared to no ACP, all levels of ACP were significantly associated with caregivers' positive perceptions of cancer decedents' end-of-life experiences (P ≤ .001), controlling for sex, race, and Hispanic ethnicity (R 2 = .21). However, the relative impact of each level of ACP engagement was not equal; full engagement (β = .61) was associated with a greater impact compared to each of the partial levels of engagement (augmented discussions [β = .33], documents only [β = .17], discussions only [β = .17]). CONCLUSION Partial ACP engagement, not just nonengagement, serves as an important clinically modifiable target to improve the end-of-life care experience among patients with cancer and the perceptions of those experiences among bereaved caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Levoy
- NewCourtland Center for Transitions and Health, 6572University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Harleah Buck
- 7831University of South Florida College of Nursing, Tampa, FL, USA
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Dignity-conserving care for persons with palliative care needs — identifying outcomes studied in research: An integrative review. Palliat Support Care 2020; 18:722-740. [DOI: 10.1017/s1478951520000139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
AbstractObjectivesWith people living longer, palliative care may be required for lengthier periods of time. This puts demands on healthcare organizations to provide optimal palliative care. Maintaining dignity is central for any person's health and quality of life, but especially for a person with palliative care needs. Dignity-conserving care needs to be evaluated to increase knowledge about outcomes and how to assess these. The purpose of this integrative review was to identify outcomes studied within dignity-conserving care and how these have been operationalized.MethodsAn integrative review was conducted in 26 quantitative or mixed-method studies and study protocols. Thematic synthesis with an abductive approach was used for analysis.ResultsSeven themes of studied outcomes were identified, as well as four cluster themes: themes related to Illness-Related Concerns, themes related to the Dignity-Conserving Repertoire, themes related to the Social Dignity Inventory, and themes regarding Overarching Dignity Issues. Most outcomes studied dealt with Illness-Related Concerns within the themes of “Performance, symptoms and emotional concerns” and “End-of-life and existential aspects”. Themes linked to the Social Dignity Inventory had the lowest number of outcomes studied. Outcomes regarding overarching dignity issues such as “Dignity-related distress” and “Quality of life” were common. However, the results lacked concrete communication outcomes.Significance of resultsThe results will underpin future research in which dignity-conserving care is implemented and evaluated, and contribute to the provision of evidence-based palliative care. A greater focus on outcomes within cluster themes related to the Dignity-Conserving Repertoire and the Social Dignity Inventory is needed, as is more focus on communication outcomes.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES To conceptualize a "good end of life" for people with dementia from the perspectives of bereaved family caregivers in Japan. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS A qualitative study using in-depth, semi-structured interviews focused on the family caregivers' perceptions of their loved one's experiences. Family caregivers who had lost their relatives with dementia more than six months previously were recruited using maximum variation sampling by cultural subpopulation. A thematic analysis was conducted. RESULTS From 30 interviews held, four main themes emerged. A good end of life for people with dementia means experiencing a "Peaceful Death" while "Maintaining Personhood" at a "Preferred Place" allowing for feelings of "Life Satisfaction." A "Preferred Place" emerged as a basic requirement to achieving a good end of life according to the three other themes, in particular, "Maintaining Personhood." However, the interviewees experienced difficulties in ensuring that their loved ones stayed at a "Preferred Place." CONCLUSIONS Despite different cultural backgrounds, perceptions of a good end of life with dementia were remarkably similar between Japan and Western countries. However, recent societal changes in family structures and long-term care access in Japan may explain the theme of a comfortable place taking a central position. We suggest that these themes be considered and translated into care goals. They could supplement established end-of-life care goals for quality of life in dementia, which aim to maximize functioning and increase comfort. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER Ethics Committee of the Graduate School and Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University (R0808-2).
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Luth EA, Pristavec T. Do Caregiver Experiences Shape End-of-Life Care Perceptions? Burden, Benefits, and Care Quality Assessment. J Pain Symptom Manage 2020; 59:77-85. [PMID: 31419541 PMCID: PMC6942199 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2019.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Researchers, hospices, and government agencies administer standardized questionnaires to caregivers for assessing end-of-life care quality. Caregiving experiences may influence end-of-life care quality reports, which have implications for caregiver outcomes, and are a clinical and policy priority. OBJECTIVES This study aims to determine whether and how caregivers' end-of-life care assessments depend on their burden and benefit perceptions. METHODS This study analyzes data from 391 caregivers in the 2011 National Study of Caregiving and their Medicare beneficiary care recipients from the 2011-2016 National Health and Aging Trends Study. Caregivers assessed five end-of-life care aspects for decedents. Logistic regression was used and predicted probabilities of caregivers positively or negatively assessing end-of-life care based on their burden and benefit experiences calculated. Analyses adjusted for caregiver and care recipient demographic and health characteristics. RESULTS No or minimal caregiving burden is associated with ≥0.70 probability of caregivers reporting they were always informed about the recipient's condition and that the dying person's care needs were always met, regardless of perceived benefits. High perceived caregiving benefit is associated with ≥0.80 probability of giving such reports, even when perceiving high burden. CONCLUSION Caregiver burden and benefit operate alongside one another regarding two end-of-life care evaluations, even when years elapse between caregiver experience reports and care recipient death. This suggests that caregiver interventions reducing burden and bolstering benefits may have a positive and lasting impact on end-of-life care assessments.
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Wang MC, Johnson D, Glass D, Martel H, Mularski RA, Bellows J. Assessing End-of-Life Care across Settings in an Integrated Health Care Delivery System. J Palliat Med 2019; 23:825-828. [PMID: 31660780 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2019.0265] [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: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: To systematically capture patient- and family-centered data to understand variability and opportunities in end-of-life care delivery across settings in an integrated health care delivery system. Background: Improving the quality of end-of-life care requires assessing patient and family experiences across settings where care occurs, but we found no existing instrument suitable for this purpose. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey with 10,308 surviving respondents (usually next of kin) of decedents in five Kaiser Permanente operating regions. The survey included eight items from an existing validated survey and three original items. Results: The overall response rate was 26% (2631). Most respondents reported that they were knowledgeable about decedents' end-of-life care and preferences. Across regions, 80% of respondents reported overall end-of-life care as excellent or very good. The proportion of excellent and very good responses was 74-84% across regions for items assessing attributes of end-of-life care, with statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). The proportion of positive responses was 69-89%. Overall, end-of-life care was rated as excellent or very good for a greater proportion of patients who received palliative care, hospice care, or both (78-82%), compared to those who did not (69%, p < 0.05 for all). Discussion: Regions are using data to inform end-of-life care initiatives. Assessing patient and family experiences of end-of-life care across settings with a single survey was feasible and provided valuable information supporting quality improvement. The survey met our need for a general purpose survey on end-of-life care experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret C Wang
- Kaiser Permanente Care Management Institute, Oakland, California, USA
| | - Daniel Johnson
- Colorado Permanente Medical Group, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - David Glass
- Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Helene Martel
- Kaiser Permanente Care Management Institute, Oakland, California, USA
| | - Richard A Mularski
- The Center for Healthcare Research, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Jim Bellows
- Kaiser Permanente Care Management Institute, Oakland, California, USA
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Heinke GD, Borchert S, Young A, Wagner E. Quality of Spiritual Care at the End of Life: What the Family Expects for Their Loved One. J Health Care Chaplain 2019; 26:159-174. [PMID: 31378164 DOI: 10.1080/08854726.2019.1644816] [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: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Spiritual care at the End of Life (EOL) is a "keystone" investment at any Regional Tertiary Acute Care Hospital. Spiritual Care Departments need to demonstrate quality indicators in the provision of spiritual care at an EOL not only for their patients, but to satisfy family expectations of that care for their loved one. A fixed choice survey instrument using a structured interview via telephone was utilized for 202 criterion families who had lost a loved one. Three domains surfaced: (1) Families retained traditional chaplain role expectations of Priestly/Liturgical (78.6%) and Pastoral/Shepherd (67.5%); (2) Expectations of an expanded chaplain role after the EOL (50%); and, (3) Traditional spiritual care services regardless of one's religion or spirituality: Comfort and care, emotional support (96%); active listening (96.5%); the Chaplain as a reminder of God's presence (93.6%); prayer (96%); scripture reading (69.3%); and ritual/sacramental anointing of the sick (71.3%).
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary D Heinke
- Department of Spiritual Care, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA, USA
| | - Shannon Borchert
- Department of Spiritual Care, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA, USA
| | - Amanda Young
- Henry Hood Research Center, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA, USA
| | - Eric Wagner
- Henry Hood Research Center, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA, USA
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Tools Measuring Quality of Death, Dying, and Care, Completed after Death: Systematic Review of Psychometric Properties. PATIENT-PATIENT CENTERED OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2019; 12:183-197. [PMID: 30141020 PMCID: PMC6397142 DOI: 10.1007/s40271-018-0328-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Measuring the quality of care at the end of life and/or the quality of dying and death can be challenging. Some measurement tools seek to assess the quality of care immediately prior to death; others retrospectively assess, following death, the quality of end-of-life care. The comparative evaluation of the properties and application of the various instruments has been limited. Objective This systematic review identified and critically appraised the psychometric properties and applicability of tools used after death. Method We conducted a systematic review according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines by systematically searching MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO for relevant studies. We then appraised the psychometric properties and the quality of reporting of the psychometric properties of the identified tools using the COSMIN (Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments) checklist. The protocol of this systematic review has been registered on PROSPERO (CRD42016047296). Results The search identified 4751 studies. Of these, 33 met the inclusion criteria, reporting on the psychometric properties of 67 tools. These tools measured quality of care at the end of life (n = 35), quality of dying and death (n = 22), or both quality of care at the end of life and dying and death (n = 10). Most tools were completed by family carers (n = 57), with some also completed by healthcare professionals (HCPs) (n = 2) or just HCPs (n = 8). No single tool was found to be adequate across all the psychometric properties assessed. Two quality of care at the end of life tools—Care of the Dying Evaluation and Satisfaction with Care at the End of Life in Dementia—had strong psychometric properties in most respects. Two tools assessing quality of dying and death—the Quality of Dying and Death and the newly developed Staff Perception of End of Life Experience—had limited to moderate evidence of good psychometric properties. Two tools assessing both quality of care and quality of dying and death—the Quality Of Dying in Long-Term Care for cognitively intact populations and Good Death Inventory (Korean version)—had the best psychometric properties. Conclusion Four tools demonstrated some promise, but no single tool was consistent across all psychometric properties assessed. All tools identified would benefit from further psychometric testing. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s40271-018-0328-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Abstract
This review proposes that the end of life is a uniquely contemporary life course stage. Epidemiologic, technological, and cultural shifts over the past two centuries have created a context in which dying has shifted from a sudden and unexpected event to a protracted, anticipated transition following an incurable chronic illness. The emergence of an end-of-life stage lasting for months or even years has heightened public interest in enhancing patient well-being, autonomy, and the receipt of medical care that accords with patient and family members' wishes. We describe key components of end-of-life well-being and highlight socioeconomic and race disparities therein, drawing on fundamental cause theory. We describe two practices that are critical to end-of-life well-being (advance care planning and hospice) and identify limitations that may undermine their effectiveness. We conclude with recommendations for future sociological research that could inform practices to enhance patient and family well-being at the end of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Carr
- Department of Sociology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
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Mah K, Hales S, Weerakkody I, Liu L, Fernandes S, Rydall A, Vehling S, Zimmermann C, Rodin G. Measuring the quality of dying and death in advanced cancer: Item characteristics and factor structure of the Quality of Dying and Death Questionnaire. Palliat Med 2019; 33:369-380. [PMID: 30561236 DOI: 10.1177/0269216318819607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Background: Ensuring a good death in individuals with advanced disease is a fundamental goal of palliative care. However, the lack of a validated patient-centered measure of quality of dying and death in advanced cancer has limited quality assessments of palliative-care interventions and outcomes. Aim: To examine item characteristics and the factor structure of the Quality of Dying and Death Questionnaire in advanced cancer. Design: Cross-sectional study with pooled samples. Setting/participants: Caregivers of deceased advanced-cancer patients ( N = 602; mean ages = 56.39–62.23 years), pooled from three studies involving urban hospitals, a hospice, and a community care access center in Ontario, Canada, completed the Quality of Dying and Death Questionnaire 8–10 months after patient death. Results: Psychosocial and practical item ratings demonstrated negative skewness, suggesting positive perceptions; ratings of symptoms and function were poorer. Of four models evaluated using confirmatory factor analyses, a 20-item, four-factor model, derived through exploratory factor analysis and comprising Symptoms and Functioning, Preparation for Death, Spiritual Activities, and Acceptance of Dying, demonstrated good fit and internally consistent factors (Cronbach’s α = 0.70–0.83). Multiple regression analyses indicated that quality of dying was most strongly associated with Symptoms and Functioning and that quality of death was most strongly associated with Preparation for Death ( p < 0.001). Conclusion: A new four-factor model best characterized quality of dying and death in advanced cancer as measured by the Quality of Dying and Death Questionnaire. Future research should examine the value of adding a connectedness factor and evaluate the sensitivity of the scale to detect intervention effects across factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Mah
- 1 Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sarah Hales
- 1 Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,2 Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Isuri Weerakkody
- 1 Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lucy Liu
- 1 Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Samantha Fernandes
- 1 Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Anne Rydall
- 1 Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sigrun Vehling
- 3 Department of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,4 Palliative Care Unit, Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with section of Pneumology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Camilla Zimmermann
- 1 Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,2 Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,5 Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,6 Princess Margaret Cancer Research Institute, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,7 Global Institute of Psychosocial, Palliative and End-of-Life Care, University of Toronto and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Gary Rodin
- 1 Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,2 Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,6 Princess Margaret Cancer Research Institute, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,7 Global Institute of Psychosocial, Palliative and End-of-Life Care, University of Toronto and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Guirimand F, Martel-Samb P, Guy-Coichard C, Picard S, Devalois B, Copel L, Abel A, Ghadi V. Development and validation of a French questionnaire concerning patients' perspectives of the quality of palliative care: the QUALI-PALLI-Patient. BMC Palliat Care 2019; 18:19. [PMID: 30744627 PMCID: PMC6369559 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-019-0403-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Indicators for the quality of palliative care are a priority of caregivers and managers to allow improvement of various care settings and their comparison. The involvement of patients and families is of paramount, although this is rarely achieved in practice. No validated assessment tools are available in French. Simple cultural adaption of existing questionnaires may be insufficient, due to the varying organization of care in different countries. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a new instrument to measure the quality of palliative care and satisfaction from the patient point of view. Methods Results from a qualitative study were used by a multi-professional workgroup to construct an initial set of 42 items exploring six domains. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in seven hospitals, encompassing three care settings: two palliative care units, one palliative care hospital, and four standard medical units with a mobile palliative care team. All items were assessed for acceptability. We conducted exploratory structural analysis using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and evaluated external validity by comparison against global rating of satisfaction and the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI) questionnaire. Results A total of 214 patients completed the questionnaire. After removing 7 items from the response distribution, PCA identified eight interpretable domains from the 35 final items: availability of caregivers, serenity, quality of information, pain management, caregivers’ listening skills, psychosocial and spiritual aspects, possibility to refuse (care or volunteers), and respect for the patient. Internal consistency was good or acceptable for all subscales (Cronbach’s α 0.5–0.84), except the last one (0.15). Factorial structure was found globally maintained across subgroups defined by age, sex, Palliative Performance Scale (PPS ≥ 60%, 40–50% and ≤ 30%), and care settings. General satisfaction was inversely correlated with the 2 scores of the MDASI questionnaire: symptoms’ severity and impact on life. Each subscale, except “possibility to refuse”, correlated with general satisfaction. Conclusions Quali-Palli-Pat appears to be a valid, reliable, and well-accepted French tool to explore the quality of care and the satisfaction of palliative care patients. It should be confirmed in a wider sample of care settings. Trial registration clinicaltrials.gov NCT02814682, registration date 28.6.2016. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12904-019-0403-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Guirimand
- Pôle recherche SPES "Soins Palliatifs en Société", Maison Médicale Jeanne Garnier, 106 avenue Emile Zola, 75015, Paris, France.
| | - Patricia Martel-Samb
- Unité de Recherche Clinique URC HU PIFO, AP-HP, Hôpital Ambroise Paré, Boulogne, France
| | | | - Stéphane Picard
- Unité de Soins Palliatifs, Groupe Hospitalier Diaconesses Croix Saint-Simon, Paris, France
| | - Bernard Devalois
- Centre de Recherche Interprofessionnel Bientraitance et Fin de Vie, Service de Médecine Palliative, Hôpital de Pontoise, Pontoise, France
| | - Laure Copel
- Unité de Soins Palliatifs, Groupe Hospitalier Diaconesses Croix Saint-Simon, Paris, France
| | - Anne Abel
- Équipe Mobile de Soins Palliatifs, AP-HP, Hôpital Ambroise Paré, Boulogne, France
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[The role of the family doctor in the palliative care of chronic and terminally ill patients]. Semergen 2019; 45:349-355. [PMID: 30718073 DOI: 10.1016/j.semerg.2018.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Revised: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this work was to identify the role of family physicians in the care of patients and their families in the approach to the end of life. Nowadays, with the increase in the demand for care of patients with terminal illnesses, there is also evidence on the lack of physicians with the profile and skills to fulfil this coverage deficit. A review of the literature was carried out in five databases from January 2015 to May 2018, and concluded that family doctors, based on their professional skills, ability to engage with the patients, their families, and their performance in the coordination of medical resources, are in an ideal position to attend and solve complex problems of patients at the end of life. In the present review, the specific roles of family physicians in clinical and psychosocial areas, and also the difficulties in facing the challenges in the care of patients and families undergoing the end of life process are described.
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Bessen S, Jain RH, Brooks WB, Mishra M. “Sharing in hopes and worries”—a qualitative analysis of the delivery of compassionate care in palliative care and oncology at end of life. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being 2019. [PMID: 31204909 PMCID: PMC6598487 DOI: 10.1080/17482631.2019.1622355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: To explore the methods through which physicians deliver compassionate care during end-of-life (EOL). Compassionate care provides benefits to patients and providers and is particularly important for patients with serious illnesses, yet its practice remains limited. We aim to qualitatively characterize methods utilized by physicians that facilitate the delivery of compassionate care at EOL. Methods: We conducted 13 semi-structured interviews with physicians from palliative care and medical oncology subspecialities at a rural academic medical centre in New Hampshire. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using a qualitative research design. Results: Participants described methods of compassionate care ranging from symptom control to less tangible, non-verbal methods. Primary barriers to the delivery of compassionate care were described as within the broader healthcare system and within the inherent emotional difficulty of EOL care. Physicians from both subspecialities emphasized the importance of successful inter-provider relationships. Conclusions: Methods for delivering compassionate care at EOL are wide ranging, but barriers on a systemic and individual level should be addressed to make its practice more widespread. This can be accomplished, in part, by the standardization of EOL conversations, training physicians how to have meaningful EOL conversations, and integration of such conversations into electronic medical records.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Bessen
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Raina H. Jain
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | | | - Manish Mishra
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Lebanon, NH, USA
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Luth EA, Prigerson HG. Associations between Race and Dementia Status and the Quality of End-of-Life Care. J Palliat Med 2018; 21:970-977. [PMID: 29620949 PMCID: PMC6034391 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2017.0638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-Hispanic black and dementia patients receive more invasive and futile treatment at end of life (EOL) relative to others. Little is known about the relationship between race/ethnicity, dementia, and EOL care quality. OBJECTIVE Identify the relationship between race/ethnicity, dementia, and proxy reporters' evaluation of EOL care quality in older adults. DESIGN Latent class analysis (LCA) of national survey data. SETTING 1588 deceased Medicare beneficiaries age 65 and older from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (2011-2016). MEASUREMENTS LCA identified three types of quality EOL care using nine measures of symptom management, quality of healthcare encounters, and dignified treatment. Race and dementia were primary predictors of EOL care quality type. Adjusted models controlled for decedent education, sex, marital status, age, number of illnesses, number of hospitalizations, self-rated health, place of death, hospice involvement, and proxy relationship to decedent and familiarity with care. RESULTS Over 20% of proxies report that dying individuals experienced suboptimal EOL care quality, characterized by pain, sadness, poor communication, and inattention to personal care needs. In adjusted analyses, proxies for non-Hispanic black decedents were less likely to provide negative care assessments than proxies for non-Hispanic white decedents (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.40-0.86). Proxies for decedents with dementia were less likely to provide negative assessments than proxies for decedents without dementia (AOR: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.51-0.97). IMPLICATIONS Efforts to improve EOL care quality are needed. More positive EOL care quality assessments for non-Hispanic Black and dementia decedents appear counterintuitive given research demonstrating that these groups of individuals are likely to have received suboptimal EOL care. Because caregiver expectations for care may differ by decedent race and dementia status, research is needed to explore the role of caregiver expectations for EOL care to explain these paradoxical findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Luth
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine , New York, New York
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Ross L, Neergaard MA, Petersen MA, Groenvold M. Measuring the quality of end-of-life care: Development, testing, and cultural validation of the Danish version of Views of Informal Carers' Evaluation of Services-Short Form. Palliat Med 2018; 32:804-814. [PMID: 29130380 DOI: 10.1177/0269216317740274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The perspectives of patients and relatives are important in the improvement of the quality of health care. However, the quality of end-of-life care has not been systematically evaluated in Scandinavia. AIM To develop or adapt and subsequently validate a questionnaire assessing the quality of end-of-life care in Denmark. The questionnaire was intended for bereaved relatives in order to assess the quality of care in the last 3 months of the patient's life and the circumstances surrounding death. DESIGN AND DATA SOURCES Based on the literature and interviews with 15 bereaved relatives and 17 healthcare professionals, relevant topics to include in a questionnaire were identified. The topics were prioritized by 100 bereaved relatives and subsequently compared to existing questionnaires. The chosen questionnaire was tested by cognitive interviews with 36 bereaved relatives. RESULTS Most of the important topics were covered by the Views of Informal Carers' Evaluation of Services-Short Form, but not all Danish settings (e.g. home care by a palliative team) were covered. These settings were added to the Views of Informal Carers' Evaluation of Services-Short Form, and a few adaptations were made before a Danish version of the Views of Informal Carers' Evaluation of Services-Short Form was tested by cognitive interviews. This cultural validation showed that the slightly adapted Danish version was perceived as relevant, understandable, and acceptable. Furthermore, the cognitive interviews gave insight in the comprehension and interpretation of Views of Informal Carers' Evaluation of Services-Short Form items. CONCLUSION With a few adaptations, the British Views of Informal Carers' Evaluation of Services-Short Form was relevant in a Danish setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lone Ross
- 1 The Research Unit, Department of Palliative Medicine, Bispebjerg/Frederiksberg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen NV, Denmark
| | - Mette Asbjoern Neergaard
- 2 The Palliative Care Team, Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Morten Aagaard Petersen
- 1 The Research Unit, Department of Palliative Medicine, Bispebjerg/Frederiksberg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen NV, Denmark
| | - Mogens Groenvold
- 1 The Research Unit, Department of Palliative Medicine, Bispebjerg/Frederiksberg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen NV, Denmark.,3 Department of Health Services Research, Institute of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen K, Denmark
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Kitt-Lewis E, Strauss S, Penrod J. A Discourse Analysis: One Caregiver's Voice in End-of-Life Care. QUALITATIVE HEALTH RESEARCH 2018; 28:346-356. [PMID: 28891387 PMCID: PMC7875470 DOI: 10.1177/1049732317728916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Informal family caregivers make a significant contribution to the U.S. health care system, and the need for caregivers will likely increase. Gaining deeper insights into the caregiver experience will provide essential knowledge needed to support the future caregiver workforce delivering care. Discourse analysis is a viable approach in analyzing textual caregiver data that focuses on the end-of-life caregiving experience. The purpose of this study was to conduct an in-depth discourse analytic examination of 13 hours of caregiver interview data, which reveal the multiplicity of shifting stances and perceptions of one caregiver in the midst of end-of-life care, specifically with regard to his perceptions of self (caregiver) and other (care recipient). By isolating a specific but limited set of reference terms used throughout the discourse, we gained systematic glimpses into the mind and perceptions of this single caregiver in relation to his role as caregiver for his terminally ill wife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Kitt-Lewis
- The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Susan Strauss
- The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Janice Penrod
- The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
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Aslakson RA, Dy SM, Wilson RF, Waldfogel J, Zhang A, Isenberg SR, Blair A, Sixon J, Lorenz KA, Robinson KA. Patient- and Caregiver-Reported Assessment Tools for Palliative Care: Summary of the 2017 Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Technical Brief. J Pain Symptom Manage 2017; 54:961-972.e16. [PMID: 28818633 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2017.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Revised: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Assessment tools are data collection instruments that are completed by or with patients or caregivers and which collect data at the individual patient or caregiver level. OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study are to 1) summarize palliative care assessment tools completed by or with patients or caregivers and 2) identify needs for future tool development and evaluation. METHODS We completed 1) a systematic review of systematic reviews; 2) a supplemental search of previous reviews and Web sites, and/or 3) a targeted search for primary articles when no tools existed in a domain. Paired investigators screened search results, assessed risk of bias, and abstracted data. We organized tools by domains from the National Consensus Project Clinical Practice Guidelines for Palliative Care and selected the most relevant, recent, and highest quality systematic review for each domain. RESULTS We included 10 systematic reviews and identified 152 tools (97 from systematic reviews and 55 from supplemental sources). Key gaps included no systematic review for pain and few tools assessing structural, cultural, spiritual, or ethical/legal domains, or patient-reported experience with end-of-life care. Psychometric information was available for many tools, but few studies evaluated responsiveness (sensitivity to change) and no studies compared tools. CONCLUSION Few to no tools address the spiritual, ethical, or cultural domains or patient-reported experience with end-of-life care. While some data exist on psychometric properties of tools, the responsiveness of different tools to change and/or comparisons between tools have not been evaluated. Future research should focus on developing or testing tools that address domains for which few tools exist, evaluating responsiveness, and comparing tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A Aslakson
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Department of Oncology, Palliative Care Program, Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
| | - Sydney M Dy
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Renee F Wilson
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Julie Waldfogel
- Department of Pharmacy, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Allen Zhang
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sarina R Isenberg
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Alex Blair
- Department of Surgery, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Joshua Sixon
- Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Karl A Lorenz
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California; Stanford School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Palo Alto, California
| | - Karen A Robinson
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Department of Epidemiology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Anhang Price R, Elliott MN. Measuring Patient-Centeredness of Care for Seriously Ill Individuals: Challenges and Opportunities for Accountability Initiatives. J Palliat Med 2017; 21:S28-S35. [PMID: 29091531 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2017.0452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Patient- and family-centeredness of care is particularly important for individuals with serious illness. In this article, we describe methodological challenges of using measures of patient- and family-centeredness in accountability initiatives such as public reporting and pay for performance. We begin with background on measuring patient- and family-centered care using standardized surveys, describe evidence of the use of these measures for quality improvement, and highlight methodological challenges in the development and implementation of these measures for use in accountability. To ensure that patient- and family-centeredness is the cornerstone of public and private accountability initiatives designed to promote high-quality care to seriously ill patients, we recommend development of (1) a nationally endorsed survey instrument that assesses patient and family experiences of serious illness care across the full range of patient trajectories and care settings in which this care is provided; (2) administrative data infrastructure that allows for identification and outreach to the most knowledgeable respondents for the survey, regardless of the patient's setting of care; and (3) a broad toolkit of quality improvement approaches to ensure that as the emphasis on accountability grows, providers across settings have access to tools that can help them improve patient- and family-centeredness of care for the seriously ill.
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Seow H, Bainbridge D, Brouwers M, Pond G, Cairney J. Validation of a modified VOICES survey to measure end-of-life care quality: the CaregiverVoice survey. BMC Palliat Care 2017; 16:44. [PMID: 28854923 PMCID: PMC5577821 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-017-0227-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 08/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Measuring the care experience at end-of-life (EOL) to inform quality improvement is a priority in many countries. We validated the CaregiverVoice survey, a modified version of the VOICES questionnaire, completed by bereaved caregivers to capture perceptions of care received in the last three months of a patient's life. METHODS We conducted a retrospective survey of bereaved caregivers representing palliative care patients who died in a residential hospice and/or received palliative homecare in Ontario, Canada. Statistical analyses were completed to establish construct and concurrent validity, as well as reliability of the survey. RESULTS Responses were obtained from 906 caregivers: 330 surveyed from homecare agencies and 576 from hospices. The CaregiverVoice survey demonstrated concurrent validity in scores correlating to FAMCARE2 items, and construct validity in performing according to expected patterns, e.g., correlation of scores to qualitative perceptions and significant variability based on care contexts such as place of death and setting of care (p < 0.01). Reliability was exhibited in good inter-item correlation of ratings for specific care settings and no significant differences in ratings regardless of whether up to a year had passed since death of patient. CONCLUSIONS The CaregiverVoice survey demonstrated validity and reliability in the populations assessed. This survey represents one common measure that can be standardized across multiple care settings and is useful for assessing the care experience that can help inform local and national quality improvement activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsien Seow
- Department of Oncology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON Canada
- Escarpment Cancer Research Institute, Hamilton, ON Canada
- Juravinski Cancer Centre, Hamilton, ON Canada
| | - Daryl Bainbridge
- Department of Oncology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON Canada
- Juravinski Cancer Centre, Hamilton, ON Canada
| | - Melissa Brouwers
- Department of Oncology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON Canada
- Escarpment Cancer Research Institute, Hamilton, ON Canada
- Juravinski Hospital, Hamilton, ON Canada
| | - Gregory Pond
- Department of Oncology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON Canada
- Escarpment Cancer Research Institute, Hamilton, ON Canada
- Juravinski Hospital, Hamilton, ON Canada
| | - John Cairney
- Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
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Aslakson RA, Lorenz K. Being CAREFuL about improving end-of-life care in hospitals. Lancet 2017; 390:97-98. [PMID: 28526494 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(17)31325-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A Aslakson
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine and The Palliative Care Program at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
| | - Karl Lorenz
- Department of Medicine and Division of Primary Care and Population Health, Section of Palliative Care, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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Teno JM, Price RA, Makaroun LK. Challenges Of Measuring Quality Of Community-Based Programs For Seriously Ill Individuals And Their Families. Health Aff (Millwood) 2017; 36:1227-1233. [DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2017.0161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joan M. Teno
- Joan M. Teno ( ) is a professor in the Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence, Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, at the University of Washington, in Seattle
| | - Rebecca Anhang Price
- Rebecca Anhang Price is a senior policy researcher at the RAND Corporation in Arlington, Virginia
| | - Lena K. Makaroun
- Lena K. Makaroun is a postdoctoral fellow in the Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington
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What Does the Staff Think?: Factors Associated With Clinical Staff Perceptions of What Constitutes High-Quality Dying and Death at a Tertiary Pediatric Hospital. J Hosp Palliat Nurs 2017; 18:470-476. [PMID: 28286425 DOI: 10.1097/njh.0000000000000278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Bainbridge D, Bryant D, Seow H. Capturing the Palliative Home Care Experience From Bereaved Caregivers Through Qualitative Survey Data: Toward Informing Quality Improvement. J Pain Symptom Manage 2017; 53:188-197. [PMID: 27720792 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2016.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Revised: 07/26/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Measuring palliative care experience using patient-reported outcomes is becoming important for assessing and improving quality, although most validated outcome tools solely use scaled questions. OBJECTIVES We analyzed open-text survey responses from bereaved caregivers to identify strengths and weaknesses in the quality of end-of-life care services and to assess the usefulness of qualitative survey data for quality improvement. METHODS This was a retrospective observational study involving bereaved caregivers of decedents who had received palliative home care services in one of six health care regions in Ontario, Canada. Using the U.K.'s validated Views of Informal Carers-Evaluation of Services survey, respondents were asked what was good and what was bad about the services provided in the last three months of life as separate open-text questions. A qualitative constant comparison approach was used to derive themes from the responses. RESULTS Among 330 caregivers who completed the survey, 271 (82%) caregivers responded to the open-text questions: 93% of those commented on something that was good about care and 55% on something that was bad. The care experiences were generally positive, with the exception of specific individuals or settings that were perceived as adverse. The qualitative data were more informative about deficiencies in care compared with the quantitative data. CONCLUSION The qualitative survey data in this study provided key recommendations toward making care more responsive to the needs of dying patients and their families. Capturing the narrative responses of bereaved caregivers is feasible and informative for palliative care program development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daryl Bainbridge
- Department of Oncology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Juravinski Cancer Centre, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
| | | | - Hsien Seow
- Department of Oncology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Juravinski Cancer Centre, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Escarpment Cancer Research Institute, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Seow H, Bainbridge D, Bryant D, Guthrie D, Urowitz S, Zwicker V, Marshall D. The CaregiverVoice Survey: A Pilot Study Surveying Bereaved Caregivers To Measure the Caregiver and Patient Experience at End of Life. J Palliat Med 2016; 19:712-9. [PMID: 27254096 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2015.0366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To integrate patient and caregiver feedback into end-of-life (EOL) care improvement, we tested the feasibility of a standardized, common instrument to measure care experiences across multiple settings in the last three months of life. METHODS We developed and tested a survey, called the CaregiverVoice survey, which combined two validated questionnaires, the FAMCARE-2 and VOICES-SF. A retrospective, observational design was used to survey bereaved caregivers of decedents who had received homecare services in Ontario, Canada. RESULTS In total, 330 surveys were completed (overall response rate of 13%, regional rates ranged from 4% to 83%). There was less than 5% missing data. Most patients received care from multiple settings in the last three months of life, including 60% for which a hospital stay was reported. The overall mean of the 19 FAMCARE-2 items was 1.7 (SD 0.7), with 72% of ratings as 1 very satisfied to 2 satisfied. On VOICES-SF items, 6% of respondents rated "all end-of-life services" as fair or poor, 24% as good, and 70% as excellent or outstanding, with variation depending on care site rated. 13% of caregivers reported that pain management was fair or poor in the last week of life. CONCLUSIONS This pilot study provides preliminary evidence that it is feasible to capture the patient and caregiver experience at EOL using a comprehensive survey, though survey distribution method greatly affected response rates. The majority of responses rated care as excellent or very good, although several specific areas for improvement were identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsien Seow
- 1 Department of Oncology, McMaster University , Hamilton, Ontario, Canada .,2 Escarpment Cancer Research Institute , Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Daryl Bainbridge
- 1 Department of Oncology, McMaster University , Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Dawn Guthrie
- 4 Departments of Kinesiology and Physical Education and Health Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University , Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sara Urowitz
- 3 Cancer Care Ontario , Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Denise Marshall
- 5 Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University , Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Bergman J, Laviana AA. Opportunities to maximize value with integrated palliative care. J Multidiscip Healthc 2016; 9:219-26. [PMID: 27226721 PMCID: PMC4863682 DOI: 10.2147/jmdh.s90822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Palliative care involves aggressively addressing and treating psychosocial, spiritual, religious, and family concerns, as well as considering the overall psychosocial structures supporting a patient. The concept of integrated palliative care removes the either/or decision a patient needs to make: they need not decide if they want either aggressive chemotherapy from their oncologist or symptom-guided palliative care but rather they can be comanaged by several clinicians, including a palliative care clinician, to maximize the benefit to them. One common misconception about palliative care, and supportive care in general, is that it amounts to “doing nothing” or “giving up” on aggressive treatments for patients. Rather, palliative care involves very aggressive care, targeted at patient symptoms, quality-of-life, psychosocial needs, family needs, and others. Integrating palliative care into the care plan for individuals with advanced diseases does not necessarily imply that a patient must forego other treatment options, including those aimed at a cure, prolonging of life, or palliation. Implementing interventions to understand patient preferences and to ensure those preferences are addressed, including preferences related to palliative and supportive care, is vital in improving the patient-centeredness and value of surgical care. Given our aging population and the disproportionate cost of end-of-life care, this holds great hope in bending the cost curve of health care spending, ensuring patient-centeredness, and improving quality and value of care. Level 1 evidence supports this model, and it has been achieved in several settings; the next necessary step is to disseminate such models more broadly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Bergman
- Department of Urology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Family Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Veterans Health Affairs-Greater Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Aaron A Laviana
- Department of Urology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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