1
|
Baqri W, Rzadki K, Habbous S, Das S. Treatment, healthcare utilization and outcomes in patients with glioblastoma in Ontario: a 10-year cohort study. J Neurooncol 2024; 168:473-485. [PMID: 38702569 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-024-04690-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant primary brain tumour in adults. Receipt of adjuvant therapies has been shown to exert a significant positive effect on patient survival. Little is known however about how changes in standards of care and healthcare system factors, such as access, affect real-world outcomes. In this study, we provide an overview of GBM in Ontario and examine elements of care, including treatment patterns, healthcare utilization, and overall survival, from 2010 to 2019, to interpret the impact of the changes in practice standards and expansion of the care network within this period. METHODS Using linked health-administrative databases from Ontario, Canada, we conducted a population-based cohort study to examine the clinical and biological characteristics, treatment, and healthcare utilization patterns of adult GBM patients diagnosed between 2010 and 2019. The primary outcomes were enrollment in adjuvant chemoradiation treatment and 1-, 2-, and 5-year survival. All analyses were performed using the Statistical Analysis Software (SAS). RESULTS 5392 patients were diagnosed with GBM in Ontario from 2010 to 2019 (58% male, 42% female). The median age at diagnosis was 64. Receipt of adjuvant chemoradiation within one year of diagnosis increased from 51% in 2010 to 63% in 2019. 1-year, 2-year, and 5-year overall survival for all patients remained stable, ranging between 40 and 43%, 15-19%, and 5-7%, respectively. For patients above the age of 65, however, 1-year survival increased from 19% in 2010 to 26% in 2019. INTERPRETATION Regionalization enabled access to treatment closer to home for many patients. Over the last decade, receipt of adjuvant chemoradiation increased among elderly patients, but the improvement in 1-year overall survival over time was accounted for by sociodemographic and clinical covariates. Our findings support the efforts for regionalization of services to improve accessibility. CONCLUSION This Ontario-based study provides insight into the effect of practice evolution and healthcare utilization on the overall survival of patients with GBM. Overall survival for most patients with glioblastoma has remained stagnant over the past decade. Changes in treatment standards and expansion of access to treating centres have been associated with prolonged survival in elderly glioblastoma patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wafa Baqri
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kathryn Rzadki
- Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Steven Habbous
- Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario), Toronto, ON, Canada
- Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Sunit Das
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario), Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, 30 Bond Street, M5B 1W8, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Pando A. In Reply to the Letter to the Editor Regarding "Palliative Care Effects on Survival in Glioblastoma: Who Receives Palliative Care?". World Neurosurg 2023; 173:296. [PMID: 37189316 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2023.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Pando
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Koekkoek JAF, van der Meer PB, Pace A, Hertler C, Harrison R, Leeper HE, Forst DA, Jalali R, Oliver K, Philip J, Taphoorn MJB, Dirven L, Walbert T. Palliative care and end-of-life care in adults with malignant brain tumors. Neuro Oncol 2023; 25:447-456. [PMID: 36271873 PMCID: PMC10013651 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noac216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This systematic review provides updated insights, from the published literature in the past 5 years, based on the 2017 European Association of Neuro-Oncology (EANO) guidelines for palliative care in adults with malignant brain tumors. It provides an overview of palliative care options, including during the end-of-life phase for patients with malignant brain tumors. METHODS A systematic literature search was conducted from 2016 to 2021 focusing on four main topics: (1) symptom management, (2) caregiver needs, (3) early palliative care, and (4) care in the end-of-life phase. An international panel of palliative care experts in neuro-oncology synthesized the literature and reported the most relevant updates. A total of 140 articles were included. RESULTS New insights include that: Hippocampal avoidance and stereotactic radiosurgery results in a lower risk of neurocognitive decline in patients with brain metastases; levetiracetam is more efficacious in reducing seizures than valproic acid as first-line monotherapy antiseizure drug (ASD) in glioma patients; lacosamide and perampanel seem well-tolerated and efficacious add-on ASDs; and a comprehensive framework of palliative and supportive care for high-grade glioma patients and their caregivers was proposed. No pharmacological agents have been shown in randomized controlled trials to significantly improve fatigue or neurocognition. CONCLUSIONS Since the 2017 EANO palliative care guidelines, new insights have been reported regarding symptom management and end-of-life care, however, most recommendations remain unchanged. Early palliative care interventions are essential to define goals of care and minimize symptom burden in a timely fashion. Interventional studies that address pain, fatigue, and psychiatric symptoms as well as (the timing of) early palliative care are urgently needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johan A F Koekkoek
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Pim B van der Meer
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Andrea Pace
- Neuro-Oncology Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Caroline Hertler
- Competence Center Palliative Care, Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Rebecca Harrison
- Division of Medical Oncology, BC Cancer, The University of British Colombia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Heather E Leeper
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland,USA
| | - Deborah A Forst
- Division of Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rakesh Jalali
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Apollo Proton Cancer Center, Chennai, India
| | - Kathy Oliver
- International Brain Tumour Alliance, Tadworth, UK
| | - Jennifer Philip
- Department of Medicine, St. Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Martin J B Taphoorn
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Linda Dirven
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Tobias Walbert
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Henry Ford Health System and Department of Neurology Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Giordano A, De Panfilis L, Perin M, Servidio L, Cascioli M, Grasso MG, Lugaresi A, Pucci E, Veronese S, Solari A. Advance Care Planning in Neurodegenerative Disorders: A Scoping Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:803. [PMID: 35055625 PMCID: PMC8775509 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19020803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Advance care planning (ACP) is increasingly acknowledged as a key step to enable patients to define their goals/preferences for future medical care, together with their carers and health professionals. We aimed to map the evidence on ACP in neurodegenerative disorders. We conducted a scoping review by searching PubMed (inception-December 28, 2020) in addition to trial, review, and dissertation registers. From 9367 records, we included 53 studies, mostly conducted in Europe (45%) and US-Canada (41%), within the last five years. Twenty-six percent of studies were qualitative, followed by observational (21%), reviews (19%), randomized controlled trials (RCTs, 19%), quasi-experimental (11%), and mixed-methods (4%). Two-thirds of studies addressed dementia, followed by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (13%), and brain tumors (9%). The RCT interventions (all in dementia) consisted of educational programs, facilitated discussions, or videos for patients and/or carers. In conclusion, more research is needed to investigate barriers and facilitators of ACP uptake, as well as to develop/test interventions in almost all the neurodegenerative disorders. A common set of outcome measures targeting each discrete ACP behavior, and validated across the different diseases and cultures is also needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Giordano
- Unit of Neuroepidemiology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133 Milan, Italy; (A.G.); (L.S.)
| | - Ludovica De Panfilis
- Bioethics Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42100 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (L.D.P.); (M.P.)
| | - Marta Perin
- Bioethics Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42100 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (L.D.P.); (M.P.)
- PhD Program in Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41100 Modena, Italy
| | - Laura Servidio
- Unit of Neuroepidemiology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133 Milan, Italy; (A.G.); (L.S.)
| | - Marta Cascioli
- Hospice ‘La Torre sul Colle’, Azienda USL Umbria 2, 06049 Spoleto, Italy;
| | | | - Alessandra Lugaresi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Neuromotorie, Università di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, 40139 Bologna, Italy
| | - Eugenio Pucci
- UOC Neurologia, ASUR Marche-AV4, 63900 Fermo, Italy;
| | | | - Alessandra Solari
- Unit of Neuroepidemiology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133 Milan, Italy; (A.G.); (L.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wu A, Ruiz Colón G, Aslakson R, Pollom E, Patel CB. Palliative Care Service Utilization and Advance Care Planning for Adult Glioblastoma Patients: A Systematic Review. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:2867. [PMID: 34201260 PMCID: PMC8228109 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13122867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) has a median overall survival of 16-21 months. As patients with GBM suffer concurrently from terminal cancer and a disease with progressive neurocognitive decline, advance care planning (ACP) and palliative care (PC) are critical. We conducted a systematic review exploring published literature on the prevalence of ACP, end-of-life (EOL) services utilization (including PC services), and experiences among adults with GBM. We searched from database inception until 20 December 2020. Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews guidelines were followed. Included studies were assessed for quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The 16 articles were all nonrandomized studies conducted in six countries with all but two published in 2014 or later. ACP documentation varied from 4-55%, PC referral was pursued in 39-40% of cases, and hospice referrals were made for 66-76% of patients. Hospitalizations frequently occurred at the EOL with 20-56% of patients spending over 25% of their overall survival time hospitalized. Many GBM patients do not pursue ACP or have access to PC. There is a dearth of focused and high-quality studies on ACP, PC, and hospice use among adults with GBM. Prospective studies that address these and additional aspects related to EOL care, such as healthcare costs and inpatient supportive care needs, are needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adela Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | | | - Rebecca Aslakson
- Division of Primary Care and Population Health, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA;
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Erqi Pollom
- Division of Radiation Therapy, Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA;
| | - Chirag B. Patel
- Division of Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurology & Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford (MIPS), Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Chikada A, Takenouchi S, Arakawa Y, Nin K. A descriptive analysis of end-of-life discussions for high-grade glioma patients. Neurooncol Pract 2021; 8:345-354. [PMID: 34061125 DOI: 10.1093/nop/npab010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background End-of-life discussions (EOLDs) in patients with high-grade glioma (HGG) have not been well described. Therefore, this study examined the appropriateness of timing and the extent of patient involvement in EOLDs and their impact on HGG patients. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 105 bereaved families of HGG patients at a university hospital in Japan between July and August 2019. Fisher's exact test and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test were used to assess the association between patient participation in EOLDs and their outcomes. Results In total, 77 questionnaires were returned (response rate 73%), of which 20 respondents replied with refusal documents. Overall, 31/57 (54%) participated in EOLDs at least once in acute hospital settings, and a significant difference was observed between participating and nonparticipating groups in communicating the patient's wishes for EOL care to the family (48% vs 8%, P = .001). Moreover, >80% of respondents indicated that the initiation of EOLDs during the early diagnosis period with patients and families was appropriate. Most EOLDs were provided by neurosurgeons (96%), and other health care providers rarely participated. Additionally, patient goals and priorities were discussed in only 28% of the EOLDs. Patient participation in EOLDs was not associated with the quality of EOL care and a good death. Conclusions Although participation in EOLDs is relatively challenging for HGG patients, this study showed that participation in EOLDs may enable patients to express their wishes regarding EOL care. It is important to initiate EOLDs early on through an interdisciplinary team approach while respecting patient goals and priorities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ai Chikada
- Department of Human Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Sayaka Takenouchi
- Department of Human Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Arakawa
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kazuko Nin
- Department of Human Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wang Y, Zhang Y, Hong Y, Zeng P, Hu Z, Xu X, Wang H. Advance directives and end-of-life care: knowledge and preferences of patients with brain Tumours from Anhui, China. BMC Cancer 2021; 21:25. [PMID: 33402101 PMCID: PMC7786498 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-020-07775-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Mainland China, advance directives (ADs) and end-of-life care for patients with tumours, especially patients with brain tumours who may have lost consciousness or the ability to speak at the early stage of their illness, have been poorly acknowledged. Thus, this study aimed to clarify the knowledge and preferences of ADs and end-of-life care in patients with brain tumours and to investigate predictors of patient preferences. METHODS This was a population-based cross-sectional survey that was conducted via face-to-face interviews. Information on sociodemographic factors, brain tumour illness, knowledge and preferences of the advanced decisions and end-of-life care of the patients was collected. RESULTS A total of 88.61% of participants had never heard of ADs, but 65.18% reported that they would like to make ADs. Knowledge of ADs, receiving surgical treatment or radiotherapy, being younger than 70 years old, being male, having educational qualifications of college or beyond, being childless, having medical insurance for nonworking or working urban residents and self-paying medical expenses were predictors of preference for making ADs. A total of 79.43% of participants wanted to discuss end-of-life arrangements with medical staff, and 63.29% of participants were willing to receive end-of-life care, even though it would not delay death. A total of 65.82% of patients with brain tumours wanted resuscitation, and as many as 45.45% of the patients thought that they did not need life support if they were in a persistent vegetative state. Brain primary tumours, being younger than 70 years old, male sex, educational qualification of junior middle school or below, having children, having new rural cooperative medical insurance and having medical expenses paid by children or spouses were predictors of choosing appropriate palliative care. CONCLUSIONS ADs and end-of-life care have been poorly acknowledged among patients with brain tumours in mainland China. Additional efforts should be encouraged amongst patients with primary brain tumours, those who are undergoing surgery and radiotherapy and those who have low socioeconomic status. A longitudinal and comprehensive study is encouraged to promote disease-specific ADs among Chinese patients with brain tumours.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yixin Wang
- Department of Oncology, Hefei Cancer Hospital; Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China.,Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology,Center of Medical Physics and Technology, HeFei Insititutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China.,University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Yongkang Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Hefei Cancer Hospital; Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China
| | - Yang Hong
- Department of Neurosurgry, The First Affliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Ping Zeng
- Department of Oncology, Hefei Cancer Hospital; Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China
| | - Zongtao Hu
- Department of Oncology, Hefei Cancer Hospital; Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China.,Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology,Center of Medical Physics and Technology, HeFei Insititutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China
| | - Xiuli Xu
- Department of Oncology, Hefei Cancer Hospital; Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China
| | - Hongzhi Wang
- Department of Oncology, Hefei Cancer Hospital; Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China. .,Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology,Center of Medical Physics and Technology, HeFei Insititutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China. .,University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Bagley SJ, Till J, Abdalla A, Sangha HK, Yee SS, Freedman J, Black TA, Hussain J, Binder ZA, Brem S, Desai AS, O’Rourke DM, Long Q, Nabavizadeh SA, Carpenter EL. Association of plasma cell-free DNA with survival in patients with IDH wild-type glioblastoma. Neurooncol Adv 2021; 3:vdab011. [PMID: 33615225 PMCID: PMC7883768 DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdab011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to determine whether plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) concentration is associated with survival in patients with isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) wild-type glioblastoma (GBM). METHODS Pre-operative and post-chemoradiotherapy blood samples were prospectively collected from patients with newly diagnosed IDH wild-type GBM. Patients underwent surgical resection or biopsy and received adjuvant radiotherapy with concomitant temozolomide. Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) was isolated from plasma and quantified using SYBR Green-based q polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). RESULTS Sixty-two patients were enrolled and categorized into high vs. low cfDNA groups relative to the pre-operative median value (25.2 ng/mL, range 5.7-153.0 ng/mL). High pre-operative cfDNA concentration was associated with inferior PFS (median progression-free survival (PFS), 3.4 vs. 7.7 months; log-rank P = .004; hazard ratio [HR], 2.19; 95% CI, 1.26-3.81) and overall survival (OS) (median OS, 8.0 vs. 13.9 months; log-rank P = .01; HR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.19-4.95). After adjusting for risk factors, including O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation status, pre-operative cfDNA remained independently associated with PFS (HR, 2.70; 95% CI, 1.50-4.83; P = .001) and OS (HR, 2.65; 95% CI, 1.25-5.59; P = .01). Post-hoc analysis of change in cfDNA post-chemoradiotherapy compared to pre-surgery (n = 24) showed increasing cfDNA concentration was associated with worse PFS (median, 2.7 vs. 6.0 months; log-rank P = .003; HR, 4.92; 95% CI, 1.53-15.84) and OS (median, 3.9 vs. 19.4 months; log-rank P < .001; HR, 7.77; 95% CI, 2.17-27.76). CONCLUSIONS cfDNA concentration is a promising prognostic biomarker for patients with IDH wild-type GBM. Plasma cfDNA can be obtained noninvasively and may enable more accurate estimates of survival and effective clinical trial stratification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J Bagley
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Glioblastoma Translational Center of Excellence, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jacob Till
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Aseel Abdalla
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Hareena K Sangha
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Stephanie S Yee
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jake Freedman
- College of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Taylor A Black
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jasmin Hussain
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Zev A Binder
- Glioblastoma Translational Center of Excellence, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Steven Brem
- Glioblastoma Translational Center of Excellence, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Arati S Desai
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Glioblastoma Translational Center of Excellence, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Donald M O’Rourke
- Glioblastoma Translational Center of Excellence, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Qi Long
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Seyed Ali Nabavizadeh
- Glioblastoma Translational Center of Excellence, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Erica L Carpenter
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Glioblastoma Translational Center of Excellence, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Cutshall NR, Kwan BM, Salmi L, Lum HD. "It Makes People Uneasy, but It's Necessary. #BTSM": Using Twitter to Explore Advance Care Planning among Brain Tumor Stakeholders. J Palliat Med 2020; 23:121-124. [PMID: 31170019 PMCID: PMC6931910 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2019.0077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Advance care planning (ACP) often occurs too late in the disease course of those who are affected by brain tumors. Furthermore, the perspectives of brain tumor stakeholders on ACP are not well described. We reviewed a social media tweet chat to understand barriers to ACP experienced by brain tumor stakeholders. Methods: We used qualitative methods to analyze a tweet chat (real-time virtual discussion) of brain tumor stakeholders. The one-hour tweet chat was hosted by Brain Tumor Social Media chat (@BTSMchat), a patient-run Twitter community, in January 2018. Participants reflected on four questions about ACP by including the hashtag "#BTSM" in tweets. Unique tweets and stakeholder type (i.e., patient, caregiver, advocate or organization member, clinician or researcher, or @BTSMchat leader) were coded. The tweet chat was qualitatively analyzed to identify key themes. Results: A total of 52 participants from four countries contributed 336 tweets. Most participants were patients (people with brain tumors), followed by clinicians or researchers, and advocates or organizations. Three key themes emerged regarding brain tumor stakeholder perspectives about ACP: (1) attitudinal barriers prevent discussions of death; (2) need to ensure one's voice is heard; and (3) Goldilock's approach to timing-fearing ACP is too early or too late. Conclusions: Various stakeholders, including people with brain tumors, shared perspectives on ACP through a tweet chat and highlighted important challenges and opportunities. Twitter is a new avenue for patients, clinicians, and advocates to engage with each other to better understand each other's perspectives related to ACP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Bethany M. Kwan
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Liz Salmi
- OpenNotes, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
- Brain Cancer Quality of Life Collaborative, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Hillary D. Lum
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
- VA Eastern Colorado Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Aurora, Colorado
| |
Collapse
|