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Hauge AM, Lydiksen N, Bech M. Organizing to address overtreatment in cancer care near the end of life: Evidence from Denmark. J Health Serv Res Policy 2024:13558196241300916. [PMID: 39673529 DOI: 10.1177/13558196241300916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study is to investigate how organizational factors influence the ethical and economic problems of overtreatment of cancer patients. METHODS The study applies a sequential mixed-method approach. First, our logistic regression model assesses how patient characteristics and hospital department variables influence the use of late cancer treatment (LCT), primarily chemotherapy, in stage IV non-small cell lung cancer cases using Danish registry data. Department-specific variations in LCT use across hospitals are identified, while controlling for population differences. Then, using qualitative data, we explore organizational factors that may influence hospitals' decisions regarding LCT for lung cancer patients. RESULTS Between 13% and 33.3% of the studied lung cancer population receive LCT within their last 30 days of life. Variation in LCT can in part be explained by organizational factors specific to the hospital departments and their organization of their treatment decision-making process. CONCLUSIONS This article is among the first to show how organizational solutions can contribute to curbing overtreatment. Hospital managers can seek to reduce overtreatment by (a) adjusting the format and frequency of patient consultations, (b) improving the cross-disciplinary collaboration structures, and (c) utilizing team conferences for discussions of treatment cessation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amalie M Hauge
- Senior researcher, Department of Health, VIVE- the Danish Center for Social Science Research, Kobenhavn, Denmark
| | - Nis Lydiksen
- Senior researcher, Department of Health, VIVE- the Danish Center for Social Science Research, Kobenhavn, Denmark
- PhD Fellow, Department of Economics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, Denmark
| | - Mickael Bech
- Professor, Department of Political Science and Public Management, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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2
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Yang F, Leng A, Jing J, Miller M, Wee B. Ecology of End-of-life Medical Care for Advanced Cancer Patients in China. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2024; 41:1329-1338. [PMID: 38015873 DOI: 10.1177/10499091231219254] [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] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. Approximately 30% of global cancer-related deaths occur in mainland China. However, there is a paucity of information regarding the end-of-life care-seeking behavior of patients with advanced cancer in China. Our study was to investigate end-of-life care-seeking behavior and to quantify the association between sociodemographic characteristics and the location and pattern of end-of-life care. METHODS We conducted a mortality follow-back survey using caregivers' interviews to estimate the number of individuals pre 1000 who died between 2013 and 2021 in the last 3 months of life. We collected data on hospitalization, outpatient visits, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, palliative care and hospice utilization, and place of death, stratified by age, gender, marital status, household income, residential zone, insurance type, and the primary end-of-life decision-maker of the decedents. RESULTS We analyzed data from 857 deceased cancer patients, representing an average of 1000 individuals. Among these patients, 861 experienced at least moderate or more severe pain, 774 were hospitalized at least once, 468 received intensive treatment, 389 had at least one outpatient visit, 270 died in the hospital, 236 received cardiopulmonary resuscitation and 99 received specialist hospice care. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides insights into the end-of-life care-seeking behavior of advanced cancer patients in China and our findings serve as a useful benchmark for estimating the use of end-of-life medical care. It highlights the need for the establishment of an accessible and patient-centered palliative care and hospice system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Yang
- Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Anli Leng
- School of Political Science and Public Administration, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jun Jing
- Department of Sociology and Public Health Research Center, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Mary Miller
- Sobell House, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Bee Wee
- Sobell House, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
- Harris Manchester College and Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
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3
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Perry LM, Mossman B, Lewson AB, Gerhart JI, Freestone L, Hoerger M. Application of Terror Management Theory to End-Of-Life Care Decision-Making: A Narrative Literature Review. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2024; 90:420-432. [PMID: 35687031 PMCID: PMC9734278 DOI: 10.1177/00302228221107723] [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] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Patients with serious illnesses often do not engage in discussions about end-of-life care decision-making, or do so reluctantly. These discussions can be useful in facilitating advance care planning and connecting patients to services such as palliative care that improve quality of life. Terror Management Theory, a social psychology theory stating that humans are motivated to resolve the discomfort surrounding their inevitable death, has been discussed in the psychology literature as an underlying basis of human decision-making and behavior. This paper explores how Terror Management Theory could be extended to seriously ill populations and applied to their healthcare decision-making processes and quality of care received.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M. Perry
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern
University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Psychology, Tulane University, New Orleans,
Louisiana, USA
| | - Brenna Mossman
- Department of Psychology, Tulane University, New Orleans,
Louisiana, USA
| | - Ashley B. Lewson
- Department of Psychology, Indiana University–Purdue
University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - James I. Gerhart
- Department of Psychology, Central Michigan University,
Mount Pleasant, Michigan, USA
| | - Lily Freestone
- Department of Psychology, Tulane University, New Orleans,
Louisiana, USA
| | - Michael Hoerger
- Department of Psychology, Tulane University, New Orleans,
Louisiana, USA
- Departments of Psychiatry and Medicine, Tulane University
School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
- Tulane Cancer Center, Tulane University School of
Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
- Freeman School of Business, Tulane University, New
Orleans, Louisiana, USA
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4
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Hardt MM, Pavao MK, Korian SE, LaPlante CD, Maciejewski PK, Prigerson HG. Associations between perceived interpersonal support and aggressiveness of care in the last month of life among patients with advanced cancer. Support Care Cancer 2024; 32:682. [PMID: 39316300 PMCID: PMC11466437 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-024-08892-7] [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: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 09/18/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine quality of life (QoL) domains in the months leading up to death associated with the receipt of aggressive care in the last month of life among patients with advanced cancer. METHODS A multisite, prospective cohort study conducted from January 2010 to May 2015 of 59 patients with advanced cancer (distant metastases and/or progression of disease following at least first-line chemotherapy) and poor prognosis (≤ 6 months) followed through death. At baseline, a median of 4 months from death, the McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire measured overall QoL and four QoL domains (i.e., interpersonal support, physical well-being, psychological, and existential). Postmortem data were collected via medical chart review and nurse/caregiver report and combined to capture the aggressiveness of end-of-life (EoL) care in patients' last month of life. Aggressive EoL care was defined as any receipt of care in an intensive care unit, being on a ventilator, or chemotherapy in the last month of life. RESULTS Patients with higher interpersonal support domain scores (i.e., rating the world as more "caring and responsive" to their needs and their felt support as more complete) received significantly less aggressive care in their last month of life (odds ratio = 0.39, 95% confidence interval 0.20 to 0.75, p = 0.004). CONCLUSION Perceived interpersonal support is the only QoL domain assessed that was associated with aggressiveness of care in the last month of life for patients with advanced cancer. Prioritizing caring and responsive relationships for patients may decrease receipt of aggressive EoL care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine M Hardt
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, 420 E. 70th Street, New York, NY, USA.
- Cornell Center for Research On End-of-Life Care, 420 E. 70th Street, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, 420 E. 70th Street, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Madison K Pavao
- Cornell Center for Research On End-of-Life Care, 420 E. 70th Street, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, 420 E. 70th Street, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sosi E Korian
- Cornell Center for Research On End-of-Life Care, 420 E. 70th Street, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, 420 E. 70th Street, New York, NY, USA
| | - Charlotte D LaPlante
- Cornell Center for Research On End-of-Life Care, 420 E. 70th Street, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Paul K Maciejewski
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, 420 E. 70th Street, New York, NY, USA
- Cornell Center for Research On End-of-Life Care, 420 E. 70th Street, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, 420 E. 70th Street, New York, NY, USA
| | - Holly G Prigerson
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, 420 E. 70th Street, New York, NY, USA
- Cornell Center for Research On End-of-Life Care, 420 E. 70th Street, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, 420 E. 70th Street, New York, NY, USA
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Berian JR, Schwarze ML, Werner NE, Mahoney JE, Shah MN. Using Systems Engineering and Implementation Science to Design an Implementation Package for Preoperative Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment Among Older Adults Having Major Abdominal Surgery: Protocol for a 3-Phase Study. JMIR Res Protoc 2024; 13:e59428. [PMID: 39250779 PMCID: PMC11420609 DOI: 10.2196/59428] [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: 04/27/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Older Americans, a growing segment of the population, have an increasing need for surgical services, and they experience a disproportionate burden of postoperative complications compared to their younger counterparts. A preoperative comprehensive geriatric assessment (pCGA) is recommended to reduce risk and improve surgical care delivery for this population, which has been identified as vulnerable. The pCGA optimizes multiple chronic conditions and factors commonly overlooked in routine preoperative planning, including physical function, polypharmacy, nutrition, cognition, mental health, and social and environmental support. The pCGA has been shown to decrease postoperative morbidity, mortality, and length of stay in a variety of surgical specialties. Although national guidelines recommend the use of the pCGA, a paucity of strategic guidance for implementation limits its uptake to a few academic medical centers. By applying implementation science and human factors engineering methods, this study will provide the necessary evidence to optimize the implementation of the pCGA in a variety of health care settings. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this paper is to describe the study protocol to design an adaptable, user-centered pCGA implementation package for use among older adults before major abdominal surgery. METHODS This protocol uses systems engineering methods to develop, tailor, and pilot-test a user-centered pCGA implementation package, which can be adapted to community-based hospitals in preparation for a multisite implementation trial. The protocol is based upon the National Institutes of Health Stage Model for Behavioral Intervention Development and aligns with the goal to develop behavioral interventions with an eye to real-world implementation. In phase 1, we will use observation and interviews to map the pCGA process and identify system-based barriers and facilitators to its use among older adults undergoing major abdominal surgery. In phase 2, we will apply user-centered design methods, engaging health care providers, patients, and caregivers to co-design a pCGA implementation package. This package will be applicable to a diverse population of older patients undergoing major abdominal surgery at a large academic hospital and an affiliate community site. In phase 3, we will pilot-test and refine the pCGA implementation package in preparation for a future randomized controlled implementation-effectiveness trial. We anticipate that this study will take approximately 60 months (April 2023-March 2028). RESULTS This study protocol will generate (1) a detailed process map of the pCGA; (2) an adaptable, user-centered pCGA implementation package ready for feasibility testing in a pilot trial; and (3) preliminary pilot data on the implementation and effectiveness of the package. We anticipate that these data will serve as the basis for future multisite hybrid implementation-effectiveness clinical trials of the pCGA in older adults undergoing major abdominal surgery. CONCLUSIONS The expected results of this study will contribute to improving perioperative care processes for older adults before major abdominal surgery. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/59428.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia R Berian
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Margaret L Schwarze
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Nicole E Werner
- Department of Health and Wellness Design, School of Public Health, Indiana University-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Jane E Mahoney
- Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Manish N Shah
- Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
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Martin A, Carton M, Thery L, Burnod A, Daniel C, Du Rusquec P, Girard N, Bouleuc C. Palliative care integration and end-of-life care intensity for patients with NSCLC. Lung Cancer 2024; 192:107800. [PMID: 38728972 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2024.107800] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without oncogenic driver mutations is considered to have a poor prognosis, although recent therapeutic progress. This study aims to assess the real-life integration of palliative care (PC) and the intensity of end-of-life (EOL) care for this population. METHODS This was an observational cohort study of decedent patients from metastatic NSCLC without oncogenic driver mutations over the period 01/2018 to 12/2022, treated in first line with immunotherapy +/- chemotherapy. We analysed PC integration and aggressiveness criteria of EOL care in the last month before death: systemic anti-cancer treatment administration, emergency room visits, intensive care unit admission, hospitalization, hospitalization duration > 14 days, and hospital death. RESULTS Among 149 patients, 75 (50 %) met the PC team at least once, and the median time from the first encounter to death was 2.3 months. In the last month before death, at least one criterion of aggressive EOL care was present for 97 patients (70 %). For patients with PC use < 30 days and for patients with PC use < 90 days before death, there were significant changes: increase in the frequency of systemic anti-cancer treatment (respectively 51.1 % vs 20 %; p < 0.001 and 58.7 % vs 6.2 %; p < 0.001); decrease in hospitalization lasting > 14 days (respectively 30 % vs 7 %; p = 0.001 and 36 % vs 6.2 %; p = 0.018) and in death hospitalisation (respectively 66 % and 18 %; p < 0.001 and 58.7 % and 10.3 %; p < 0.001). After adjusting for the factors tested, patients with no PC or late PC use in the last month before death or in the last three month before death, the odds ratio (OR) remained significantly greater than 1 (respectively OR = 3.97 [1.70; 9.98]; p = 0.001 and OR = 23.1 [5.21-177.0], p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION PC is still insufficiently integrated for patients with NSCL cancer. Cancer centres should monitor key indicators such as PC use and aggressiveness criteria of EOL care.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Martin
- Palliative care Department, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - M Carton
- Biostatistics Department, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - L Thery
- Palliative care Department, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - A Burnod
- Palliative care Department, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - C Daniel
- Oncology Department, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - P Du Rusquec
- Oncology Department, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - N Girard
- Oncology Department, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - C Bouleuc
- Supportive care Department, Institut Curie, Paris, France.
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Giannubilo I, Battistuzzi L, Blondeaux E, Ruelle T, Poggio FB, Buzzatti G, D'Alonzo A, Della Rovere F, Latocca MM, Molinelli C, Razeti MG, Nardin S, Arecco L, Perachino M, Favero D, Borea R, Pronzato P, Del Mastro L, Bighin C. Patterns of care at the end of life: a retrospective study of Italian patients with advanced breast cancer. BMC Palliat Care 2024; 23:129. [PMID: 38778303 PMCID: PMC11110270 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-024-01460-0] [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: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To better understand the type of care offered to Italian patients with advanced breast cancer at the End-of-Life (EoL), we conducted a retrospective observational study. EoL was defined as the period of six months before death. METHODS One hundred and twenty-one patients with advanced breast cancer (ABC) treated at IRCCS San Martino Policlinic Hospital who died between 2017 and 2021 were included. Data about patient, disease, and treatment characteristics from breast cancer diagnosis to death, along with information about comorbidities, medications, imaging, specialist evaluations, hospitalization, palliative care and home care, hospice admissions, and site of death were collected. RESULTS 98.3% of the patients received at least one line of active treatment at EoL; 52.8% were hospitalized during the selected period. Palliative (13.9%), psychological (7.4%), and nutritional evaluations (8.2%) were underutilized. Palliative home care was provided to 52% of the patients. Most of the patients died at home (66.1%) and fewer than one out of five (18.2%) died at the hospital. Among the patients who died at home, 27.3% had no palliative support. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that palliative care in EoL breast cancer patients is still inadequate. Only a minority of patients had psychological and nutritional support While low nutritional support may be explained by the fact that typical symptoms of ABC do not involve the gastrointestinal tract, the lack of psychological support suggests that significant barriers still exist. Data on the site of death are encouraging, indicating that EoL management is increasingly home centered in Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Giannubilo
- U.O. Oncologia Medica 2, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy.
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Sciences (DiMI), School of Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy.
| | - Linda Battistuzzi
- U.O. Oncologia Medica 2, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Eva Blondeaux
- U.O. Epidemiologia Clinica, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, IT, Italy
| | - Tommaso Ruelle
- U.O. Oncologia Medica 2, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Sciences (DiMI), School of Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | | | - Giulia Buzzatti
- U.O. Oncologia Medica 2, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Alessia D'Alonzo
- U.O. Oncologia Medica 2, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Federica Della Rovere
- SSD Cure Palliative Ed Hospice, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Molinelli
- U.O. Oncologia Medica 2, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Sciences (DiMI), School of Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Razeti
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Sciences (DiMI), School of Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
- U.O.C. Clinica Di Oncologia Medica, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Simone Nardin
- U.O. Oncologia Medica 2, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Sciences (DiMI), School of Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Luca Arecco
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Sciences (DiMI), School of Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
- U.O.C. Clinica Di Oncologia Medica, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Marta Perachino
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Sciences (DiMI), School of Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
- U.O.C. Clinica Di Oncologia Medica, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Diletta Favero
- U.O. Oncologia Medica 2, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Sciences (DiMI), School of Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Roberto Borea
- U.O. Oncologia Medica 2, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Sciences (DiMI), School of Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Paolo Pronzato
- U.O. Oncologia Medica 2, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Lucia Del Mastro
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Sciences (DiMI), School of Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
- U.O.C. Clinica Di Oncologia Medica, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Claudia Bighin
- U.O. Oncologia Medica 2, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
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Zhuang Q, Zhou S, Ho S, Neo PSH, Cheung YB, Yang GM. Can an Integrated Palliative and Oncology Co-rounding Model Reduce Aggressive Care at the End of Life? Secondary Analysis of an Open-label Stepped-wedge Cluster-randomized Trial. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2024; 41:442-451. [PMID: 37246153 DOI: 10.1177/10499091231180460] [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] [Indexed: 05/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical trial evidence on the effect of palliative care models in reducing aggressive end-of-life care is inconclusive. We previously reported on an integrated inpatient palliative care and medical oncology co-rounding model that significantly reduced hospital bed-days and postulate additional effect on reducing care aggressiveness. OBJECTIVES To compare the effect of a co-rounding model vs usual care in reducing receipt of aggressive treatment at end-of-life. METHODS Secondary analysis of an open-label stepped-wedge cluster-randomized trial comparing two integrated palliative care models within the inpatient oncology setting. The co-rounding model involved pooling specialist palliative care and oncology into one team with daily review of admission issues, while usual care constituted discretionary specialist palliative care referrals by the oncology team. We compared odds of receiving aggressive care at end-of-life: acute healthcare utilization in last 30 days of life, death in hospital, and cancer treatment in last 14 days of life between patients in two trial arms. RESULTS 2145 patients were included in the analysis, and 1803 patients died by 4th April 2021. Median overall survival was 4.90 (4.07 - 5.72) months in co-rounding and 3.75 (3.22 - 4.21) months in usual care, with no difference in survival (P = .12). We found no significant differences between both models with respect to receipt of aggressive care at end-of-life. (Odds Ratio .67 - 1.27; all P > .05). CONCLUSION The co-rounding model within an inpatient setting did not reduce aggressiveness of care at end-of-life. This could be due in part to the overall focus on resolving episodic admission issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyuan Zhuang
- Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Siqin Zhou
- Division of Clinical Trials and Epidemiological Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shirlynn Ho
- Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Patricia Soek Hui Neo
- Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yin Bun Cheung
- Program in Health Services and Systems Research and Centre for Quantitative Medicine, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Grace Meijuan Yang
- Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
- Lien Centre for Palliative Care, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
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Monnery D, Droney J. Enhanced supportive care. Br J Hosp Med (Lond) 2024; 85:1-8. [PMID: 38557099 DOI: 10.12968/hmed.2023.0416] [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] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Enhanced supportive care is a care model providing earlier access to multiprofessional, coordinated care for patients from the point of cancer diagnosis. As a proactive model of care, it stands as a contrast to providing access to a multidisciplinary team once a patient has hit a crisis point, or when their prognosis has become sufficiently poor that they are able to access traditional end-of-life services. Its arrival in the UK through palliative care teams working in cancer care has led to enhanced supportive care being synonymous with early palliative care. While enhanced supportive care has enabled early palliative care, as it has become more embedded in the UK, it has taken on a wider remit for patients living longer with cancer and the management of side effects. Enhanced supportive care services have also begun to provide care for cancer survivors. Enhanced supportive care services have a key role in modern cancer care in maintaining and improving patients' quality of life alongside cancer treatment and ensuring that patients' priorities and preferences for treatment are considered. Furthermore, enhanced supportive care has been shown to support the wider healthcare system by creating capacity within the NHS, reducing demand on hospital services and saving money. As enhanced supportive care services continue to grow and venture into the care and support of cancer survivors and those receiving potentially curative treatments, ongoing work is needed to determine how these services can be made available throughout the NHS and how a shared vision of the way enhanced supportive care operates can be realised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Monnery
- Department of Supportive and Palliative Care, The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Joanne Droney
- Department of Symptom Control and Palliative Care, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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10
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Golob N, Oblak T, Čavka L, Kušar M, Šeruga B. Aggressive anticancer treatment in the last 2 weeks of life. ESMO Open 2024; 9:102937. [PMID: 38471241 PMCID: PMC10944113 DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2024.102937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a concern that terminally ill cancer patients may be aggressively treated due to the rapidly growing possibilities of anticancer treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of anticancer treatment at the end of life (EoL). MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective study included adult patients with advanced solid cancers who were treated at the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana and died of cancer between January 2015 and December 2019. A multiple logistic regression model was used to assess an association between the aggressiveness of anticancer treatment (i.e. systemic therapy, radiotherapy and surgery) in the last 2 weeks of life and year of death, age at death, sex, prognosis of cancer and enrolment into the specialist palliative care (SPC). RESULTS We included 1736 patients in our analysis. Overall, 13.7% of patients were enrolled into the SPC and 14.4% received anticancer treatment in the last 2 weeks of life. The odds of receiving anticancer treatment significantly increased over time [odds ratio (OR) 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04-1.27]. There was an increased use of novel systemic therapy (e.g. small-molecule targeted therapy and immunotherapy) at the EoL. Older patients had significantly lower odds to receive anticancer treatment in the last 2 weeks of life as compared to younger patients (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.95-0.98). As compared to patients receiving only a standard oncology care, those also enrolled into the SPC had significantly lower odds for anticancer treatment in the last 2 weeks of life (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.12-0.43). CONCLUSIONS Terminally ill cancer patients have increased odds for receiving anticancer treatment, especially novel systemic therapies, in the last 2 weeks of life. Younger patients and those not enrolled into the SPC are at particular risk for anticancer treatment at the EoL.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Golob
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana; Department of Acute Palliative Care, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana
| | - T Oblak
- Epidemiology and Cancer Registry, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana
| | - L Čavka
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana; Department of Oncology, University Medical Center Maribor, Maribor
| | - M Kušar
- Institute for Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana
| | - B Šeruga
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana; Division of Medical Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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11
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric C T Geijteman
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Evelien J M Kuip
- Department of Medical Oncology and Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Palliative Care, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Diana Lees
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Liverpool University Foundation Teaching Hospital, United Kingdom
| | - Eduardo Bruera
- Department of Palliative Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
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12
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Szigethy E, Dorantes R, Sugrañes M, Madera M, Sola I, Urrútia G, Bonfill X. Frequency of anticancer drug use at the end of life: a scoping review. Clin Transl Oncol 2024; 26:178-189. [PMID: 37286888 PMCID: PMC10247343 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-023-03234-1] [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: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Anticancer drug use at the end of life places potential extra burdens on patients and the healthcare system. Previous articles show variability in methods and outcomes; thus, their results are not directly comparable. This scoping review describes the methods and extent of anticancer drug use at end of life. METHODS Systematic searches in Medline and Embase were conducted to identify articles reporting anticancer drug use at the end of life. RESULTS We selected 341 eligible publications, identifying key study features including timing of research, disease status, treatment schedule, treatment type, and treatment characteristics. Among the subset of 69 articles of all cancer types published within the last 5 years, we examined the frequency of anticancer drug use across various end of life periods. CONCLUSION This comprehensive description of publications on anticancer drug use at end of life underscores the importance of methodological factors when designing studies and comparing outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Endre Szigethy
- PhD Programme in Biomedical Research Methodology and Public Health, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
- Epidy Kft, Debrecen, Hungary.
| | - Rosario Dorantes
- Centre Assistencial Dr. Emili Mira, Parc de Salut Mar, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miguel Sugrañes
- School of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Meisser Madera
- Research Department, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Colombia
| | - Ivan Sola
- Iberoamerican Cochrane Centre, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gerard Urrútia
- Iberoamerican Cochrane Centre, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Bonfill
- Iberoamerican Cochrane Centre, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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13
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Arian M, Hajiabadi F, Amini Z, Oghazian MB, Valinejadi A, Sahebkar A. Introduction of Various Models of Palliative Oncology Care: A Systematic Review. Rev Recent Clin Trials 2024; 19:109-126. [PMID: 38155467 DOI: 10.2174/0115748871272511231215053624] [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: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study is to synthesize the existing evidence on various palliative care (PC) models for cancer patients. This effort seeks to discern which facets of PC models are suitable for various patient cohorts, elucidate their mechanisms, and clarify the circumstances in which these models operate. METHODS A comprehensive search was performed using MeSH terms related to PC and cancer across various databases. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and a comprehensive evidence map were also applied. RESULTS Thirty-three reviews were published between 2009 and 2023. The conceptual PC models can be classified broadly into time-based, provider-based, disease-based, nurse-based, issue-based, system-based, team-based, non-hospice-based, hospital-based, community-based, telehealth-based, and setting-based models. The study argues that the outcomes of PC encompass timely symptom management, longitudinal psychosocial support, enhanced communication, and decision-making. Referral methods to specialized PC services include oncologist-initiated referral based on clinical judgment alone, via referral criteria, automatic referral at the diagnosis of advanced cancer, or referral based on symptoms or other triggers. CONCLUSION The gold standard for selecting a PC model in the context of oncology is a model that ensures broad availability of early PC for all patients and provides well-timed, scheduled, and specialized care for patients with the greatest requirement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdieh Arian
- Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Hajiabadi
- Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Zakiyeh Amini
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Mohammad Bagher Oghazian
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Ali Valinejadi
- Department of Health Information Technology, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Sahebkar
- Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Obama K, Fujimori M, Okamura M, Kadowaki M, Ueno T, Boku N, Mori M, Akechi T, Yamaguchi T, Oyamada S, Okizaki A, Miyaji T, Sakurai N, Uchitomi Y. Effectiveness of a facilitation programme using a mobile application for initiating advance care planning discussions between patients with advanced cancer and healthcare providers: protocol for a randomised controlled trial (J-SUPPORT 2104). BMJ Open 2023; 13:e069557. [PMID: 36977536 PMCID: PMC10069562 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-069557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Timely implementation of the discussion process of advance care planning (ACP) is recommended. The communication attitude of healthcare providers is critical in ACP facilitation; thus, improving their communication attitudes may reduce patient distress and unnecessary aggressive treatment while enhancing care satisfaction. Digital mobile devices are being developed for behavioural interventions owing to their low space and time restrictions and ease of information sharing. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention programme using an application intended to facilitate patient questioning behaviour on improving communication related to ACP between patients with advanced cancer and healthcare providers. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This study uses a parallel-group, evaluator-blind, randomised controlled trial design. We plan to recruit 264 adult patients with incurable advanced cancer at the National Cancer Centre in Tokyo, Japan. Intervention group participants use a mobile application ACP programme and undergo a 30 min interview with a trained intervention provider for discussions with the oncologist at the next patient visit, while control group participants continue their usual treatment. The primary outcome is the oncologist's communication behaviour score assessed using audiorecordings of the consultation. Secondary outcomes include communication between patients and oncologists and the patients' distress, quality of life, care goals and preferences, and medical care utilisation. We will use a full analysis set including the registered participant population who receive at least a part of the intervention. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Scientific Advisory Board of the Japan Supportive, Palliative and Psychosocial Oncology Group (Registration No. 2104) and the Institutional Review Board of the National Cancer Centre Hospital (registration No. 2020-500). Written informed consent is obtained from the patients. The results of the trial will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presented at scientific meetings. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS UMIN000045305, NCT05045040.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoko Obama
- Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center Japan, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Maiko Fujimori
- Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center Japan, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masako Okamura
- Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center Japan, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Midori Kadowaki
- Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center Japan, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Narikazu Boku
- Department of Oncology and General Medicine, IMSUT Hospital, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masanori Mori
- Division of Palliative and Supportive Care, Seirei Mikatahara Hospital, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Akechi
- Department of Psychiatry and Cognitive-Behavioral Medicine, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Takuhiro Yamaguchi
- Division of Biostatistics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | | | - Ayumi Okizaki
- Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center Japan, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tempei Miyaji
- Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center Japan, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naomi Sakurai
- Cancer Survivors Recruiting Project, General Incorporated Association, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yosuke Uchitomi
- Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center Japan, Tokyo, Japan
- Innovation Center for Supportive, Palliative and Psychosocial Care, National Cancer Center Hospital, Chuo-ku, Japan
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15
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De Schreye R, Deliens L, Annemans L, Gielen B, Smets T, Cohen J. Trends in appropriateness of end-of-life care in people with cancer, COPD or with dementia measured with population-level quality indicators. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0273997. [PMID: 36724142 PMCID: PMC9891500 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Measuring changes in the appropriateness of end-of-life care provided to patients with advanced illness such as cancer, COPD or dementia can help governments and practitioners improve service delivery and quality of life. However, an assessment of a possible shift in appropriateness of end-of-life care across the population is lacking. AIM Measuring quality indicators with routinely collected population-level data, this study aims to evaluate the appropriateness of end-of-life care for people with cancer, COPD or dementia in Belgium. DESIGN A population-level decedent cohort study, using data from eight population-level databases, including death certificate and health claims data. We measured validated sets of quality indicators for appropriateness of end-of-life care. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS All people who died from cancer or COPD or with dementia between 1st January 2010 and 1st January 2016 in Belgium. RESULTS We identified three main trends over time across the three disease groups of increasing use of: family physicians in the last 30 days of life (+21.7% in cancer, +33.7% in COPD and +89.4% in dementia); specialist palliative care in the last 14 days of life (+4.6% in cancer, +36.9% in COPD, +17.8% in dementia); and emergency department in the last 30 days of life (+7.0% in cancer, +4.4% in COPD and +8.2% in dementia). CONCLUSIONS Although we found an increase of both specialized palliative care and generalist palliative care use, we also found an increase in potentially inappropriate care, including ED and ICU admissions. To increase the quality of end-of-life care, both timely initiating (generalist and specialist) palliative care and avoiding potentially inappropriate care transitions, treatments and medications need to be quality performance targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robrecht De Schreye
- End-of-life Care Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and Ghent University, Brussels, Belgium
- * E-mail:
| | - Luc Deliens
- End-of-life Care Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and Ghent University, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Medical Oncology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lieven Annemans
- Department of Public Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Tinne Smets
- End-of-life Care Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and Ghent University, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Joachim Cohen
- End-of-life Care Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and Ghent University, Brussels, Belgium
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16
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Robertson C, Watanabe SM, Sinnarajah A, Potapov A, Faily V, Tarumi Y, Baracos VE. Association between Consultation by a Comprehensive Integrated Palliative Care Program and Quality of End-of-Life Care in Patients with Advanced Cancer in Edmonton, Canada. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:897-907. [PMID: 36661717 PMCID: PMC9858595 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30010068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Literature assessing the impact of palliative care (PC) consultation on aggressive care at the end of life (EOL) within a comprehensive integrated PC program is limited. We retrospectively reviewed patients with advanced cancer who received oncological care at a Canadian tertiary center, died between April 2013 and March 2014, and had access to PC consultation in all healthcare settings. Administrative databases were linked, and medical records reviewed. Composite score for aggressive EOL care was calculated, assigning a point for each of the following: ≥2 emergency room visits, ≥2 hospitalizations, hospitalization >14 days, ICU admission, and chemotherapy administration in the last 30 days of life, and hospital death. Multivariable logistic regression was adjusted for age, sex, income, cancer type and PC consultation for ≥1 aggressive EOL care indicator. Of 1414 eligible patients, 1111 (78.6%) received PC consultation. In multivariable analysis, PC consultation was independently associated with lower odds of ≥1 aggressive EOL care indicator (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.38−0.65, p < 0.001). PC consultation >3 versus ≤3 months before death had a greater effect on lower aggressive EOL care (mean composite score 0.59 versus 0.88, p < 0.001). We add evidence that PC consultation is associated with less aggressive care at the EOL for patients with advanced cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara Robertson
- Division of Palliative Care Medicine, Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada
| | - Sharon M. Watanabe
- Division of Palliative Care Medicine, Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada
| | - Aynharan Sinnarajah
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON L1G 2B9, Canada
| | - Alexei Potapov
- Division of Palliative Care Medicine, Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada
| | - Viane Faily
- Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Yoko Tarumi
- Division of Palliative Care Medicine, Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada
| | - Vickie E. Baracos
- Division of Palliative Care Medicine, Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada
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17
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Duberstein PR, Hoerger M, Norton SA, Mohile S, Dahlberg B, Hyatt EG, Epstein RM, Wittink MN. The TRIBE model: How socioemotional processes fuel end-of-life treatment in the United States. Soc Sci Med 2023; 317:115546. [PMID: 36509614 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115546] [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: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Prior interventions have repeatedly failed to decrease the prescription and receipt of treatments and procedures that confer more harm than benefit at the End-of-Life (EoL); new approaches to intervention are needed. Ideally, future interventions would be informed by a social-ecological conceptual model that explains EoL healthcare utilization patterns, but current models ignore two facts: (1) healthcare is an inherently social activity, involving clinical teams and patients' social networks, and (2) emotions influence social activity. To address these omissions, we scaffolded Terror Management Theory and Socioemotional Selectivity Theory to create the Transtheoretical Model of Irrational Biomedical Exuberance (TRIBE). Based on Terror Management Theory, TRIBE suggests that the prospect of patient death motivates healthcare teams to conform to a biomedical norm of care, even when clinicians believe that biomedical interventions will likely be unhelpful. Based on Socioemotional Selectivity Theory, TRIBE suggests that the prospect of dwindling time motivates families to prioritize emotional goals, and leads patients to consent to disease-directed treatments they know will likely be unhelpful, as moral emotions motivate deference to the perceived emotional needs of their loved ones. TRIBE is unique among models of healthcare utilization in its acknowledgement that moral emotions and processes (e.g., shame, compassion, regret-avoidance) influence healthcare delivery, patients' interactions with family members, and patients' outcomes. TRIBE is especially relevant to potentially harmful EoL care in the United States, and it also offers insights into the epidemics of overtreatment in healthcare settings worldwide. By outlining the role of socioemotional processes in the care of persons with serious conditions, TRIBE underscores the critical need for psychological innovation in interventions, health policy and research on healthcare utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul R Duberstein
- Department of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy, Rutgers University School of Public Heath, 683 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, United States.
| | - Michael Hoerger
- Department of Psychology, Psychiatry, and Medicine, Tulane University, 131 S. Robertson Building, 131 S Robertson St, New Orleans, LA, 70112, United States; Tulane Cancer Center, Tulane University, 1415 Tulane Ave, New Orleans, LA, 70112, United States.
| | - Sally A Norton
- School of Nursing, University of Rochester, 255 Crittenden Blvd, Rochester, NY, 14642, United States; Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY, 14642, United States.
| | - Supriya Mohile
- Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY, 14642, United States; James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 90 Crittenden Blvd, Rochester, NY, 14642, United States.
| | - Britt Dahlberg
- Center for Humanism, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, 401 South Broadway, Camden, NJ, 08103, United States.
| | - Erica Goldblatt Hyatt
- Rutgers School of Social Work, 536 George St, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, United States.
| | - Ronald M Epstein
- Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY, 14642, United States; James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 90 Crittenden Blvd, Rochester, NY, 14642, United States; Department of Family Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY, 14642, United States.
| | - Marsha N Wittink
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY, 14642, United States.
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Quality of End-of-Life Care in Gastrointestinal Cancers: A 13-Year Population-Based Retrospective Analysis in Ontario, Canada. Curr Oncol 2022; 29:9163-9171. [PMID: 36547131 PMCID: PMC9777494 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol29120717] [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: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Population-based quality indicators of either aggressive or supportive care at end of life (EOL), especially when specific to a cancer type, help to inform quality improvement efforts. This is a population-based, retrospective cohort study of gastrointestinal (GI) cancer decedents in Ontario from 1 January 2006-31 December 2018, using administrative data. Quality indices included hospitalizations, emergency department (ED) use, intensive care unit admissions, receipt of chemotherapy, physician house call, and palliative home care in the last 14-30 days of life. Previously defined aggregate measures of both aggressive and supportive care at end of life were also used. In our population of 69,983 patients who died of a GI malignancy during the study period, the odds of experiencing aggressive care at EOL remained stable, while the odds of experiencing supportive care at EOL increased. Most of our population received palliative care in the last year of life (n = 65,076, 93.0%) and a palliative care home care service in the last 30 days of life (n = 45,327, 70.0%). A significant number of patients also experienced death in an acute care hospital bed (n = 28,721, 41.0%) or had a new hospitalisation in the last 30 days of life (n = 33,283, 51.4%). The majority of patients received palliative care in the last year of life, and a majority received a palliative care home service within the last 30 days of life. The odds of receiving supportive care at EOL have increased over time. Differences in care exist according to income, age, and rurality.
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19
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Luta X, Diernberger K, Bowden J, Droney J, Hall P, Marti J. Intensity of care in cancer patients in the last year of life: a retrospective data linkage study. Br J Cancer 2022; 127:712-719. [PMID: 35545681 PMCID: PMC9092325 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-022-01828-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Delivering high-quality palliative and end-of-life care for cancer patients poses major challenges for health services. We examine the intensity of cancer care in England in the last year of life. METHODS We included cancer decedents aged 65+ who died between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2017. We analysed healthcare utilisation and costs in the last 12 months of life including hospital-based activities and primary care. RESULTS Healthcare utilisation and costs increased sharply in the last month of life. Hospital costs were the largest cost elements and decreased with age (0.78, 95% CI: 0.73-0.72, p < 0.005 for age group 90+ compared to age 65-69 and increased substantially with comorbidity burden (2.2, 95% CI: 2.09-2.26, p < 0.005 for those with 7+ comorbidities compared to those with 1-3 comorbidities). The costs were highest for haematological cancers (1.45, 95% CI: 1.38-1.52, p < 0.005) and those living in the London region (1.10, 95% CI: 1.02-1.19, p < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS Healthcare in the last year of life for advanced cancer patients is costly and offers unclear value to patients and the healthcare system. Further research is needed to understand distinct cancer populations' pathways and experiences before recommendations can be made about the most appropriate models of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xhyljeta Luta
- Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Institute of Global Health Innovation, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK.
- Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Katharina Diernberger
- University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Clinical Trials Unit, Usher Institute, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Joanna Bowden
- Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- NHS Fife, Scotland, UK
- University of St Andrews, Scotland, UK
| | - Joanne Droney
- Institute of Global Health Innovation, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Peter Hall
- University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Clinical Trials Unit, Usher Institute, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Joachim Marti
- Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute of Global Health Innovation, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
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20
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When does early palliative care influence aggressive care at the end of life? Support Care Cancer 2022; 30:5371-5379. [PMID: 35290511 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-022-06954-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early palliative care improves patient quality of life and influences cancer care. The time frame of early has not been established. Eight quality measures reflect aggressive care at the end of life. We retrospectively reviewed patients who died with cancer between January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2019, and compared the timing of palliative care consultation, advance directives (AD), and home palliative care with aggressive care at the end of life (ACEOL). METHODS Patients without ACEOL indicators were compared to patients with one or more than one indicator of ACEOL. The proportion of patients who received palliative care, completed AD, and the timing of palliative care and AD (less than 30 days, 30-90 days, and greater than 90 days prior to death) was compared for patients who had ACEOL versus those who did not. Chi-square analysis was used for categorical data, one-way ANOVA for continuous variables, and odds ratio (OR) with confidence intervals (CI) was reported as a measure of effect size. A p value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS 1727 patients died, 46% were female, and the mean age was 69 (SD 11.91). Seventy-one percent had a palliative care consult, 26% completed AD, and 888 (51.4%) had at least one indicator of ACEOL. The most common indicator of ACEOL was new chemotherapy within 30 days of death, in 571 of 888 (64%) of patients experiencing ACEOL. ADs completed at any time reduced ACEOL (OR 0.80, 95%CI 0.64-0.99). Palliative care initiated at 30 days was associated with a greater risk of ACEOL (OR 5.32, 95% CI 3.94-7.18) and initiated between 30 and 90 days (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.07-1.80) compared to no palliative care but was associated with reduced chemotherapy as an indicator of ACEOL when > 90 days (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.38-0.57) before death. DISCUSSION Completed ADs were associated with reduced chemotherapy in the last 30 days of life and reduced ICU admissions. This may reflect goals of care and end-of-life discussions and transition of care to comfort measures. Palliative care paradoxically when initiated within 90 days before death was associated with greater ACEOL compared to no palliative care. This may be due to consultation late in the course of illness with a focus on crisis management in patients frequently utilizing the health care system. There is an associated reduction in the use of chemotherapy in the last 30 days of life if palliative care is consulted 90 days prior to death. CONCLUSIONS An initial palliative care consult greater than 90 days before death and ADs completed at any time during the disease trajectory was associated only with reduced chemotherapy in the last 30 days of life compared with no palliative care among the 7 ACEOL indicators. ADs were associated with reduced ICU admissions. Most palliative care consults occurred within 90 days of death and a palliative care consult within 90 days of death is not an optimal utilization of services.
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21
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Leniz J, Henson LA, Potter J, Gao W, Newsom-Davis T, Ul-Haq Z, Lucas A, Higginson IJ, Sleeman KE. Association of primary and community care services with emergency visits and hospital admissions at the end of life in people with cancer: a retrospective cohort study. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e054281. [PMID: 35197345 PMCID: PMC8867349 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054281] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the association between primary and community care use and measures of acute hospital use in people with cancer at the end of life. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING We used Discover, a linked administrative and clinical data set from general practices, community and hospital records in North West London (UK). PARTICIPANTS People registered in general practices, with a diagnosis of cancer who died between 2016 and 2019. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES ≥3 hospital admissions during the last 90 days, ≥1 admissions in the last 30 days and ≥1 emergency department (ED) visit in the last 2 weeks of life. RESULTS Of 3581 people, 490 (13.7%) had ≥3 admissions in last 90 days, 1640 (45.8%) had ≥1 admission in the last 30 days, 1042 (28.6%) had ≥1 ED visits in the last 2 weeks; 1069 (29.9%) had more than one of these indicators. Contacts with community nurses in the last 3 months (≥13 vs <4) were associated with fewer admissions in the last 30 days (risk ratio (RR) 0.88, 95% CI 0.90 to 0.98) and ED visits in the last 2 weeks of life (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.68 to 0.92). Contacts with general practitioners in the last 3 months (≥11 vs <4) was associated with higher risk of ≥3 admissions in the last 90 days (RR 1.63, 95% CI 1.33 to 1.99) and ED visits in the last 2 weeks of life (RR 1.27, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.47). CONCLUSIONS Expanding community nursing could reduce acute hospital use at the end of life and improve quality of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javiera Leniz
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Lesley A Henson
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Jean Potter
- Department of Palliative Care, Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Uxbridge, Greater London, UK
| | - Wei Gao
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Tom Newsom-Davis
- Oncology, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Zia Ul-Haq
- Discover-Now, Imperial College Health Partners, London, UK
| | - Amanda Lucas
- Discover-Now, Imperial College Health Partners, London, UK
| | - Irene J Higginson
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Katherine E Sleeman
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, King's College London, London, UK
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22
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Wen FH, Chou WC, Hou MM, Su PJ, Shen WC, Chen JS, Chang WC, Hsu MH, Tang ST. Caregivers' Death-Preparedness States Impact Caregiving Outcomes and Patients' End-of-Life Care. J Pain Symptom Manage 2022; 63:199-209. [PMID: 34563630 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2021.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE Preparing family caregivers, cognitively, emotionally, and behaviorally, for their relative's death is an actionable component of high-quality end-of-life care. We aimed to examine the never-before-examined associations of conjoint cognitive prognostic awareness and emotional preparedness for death with caregiving outcomes and end-of-life care received by cancer patients. DESIGN/SETTING/PARTICIPANTS/MAIN MEASURES For this longitudinal study, associations of death-preparedness states (no-death-preparedness, cognitive-death-preparedness-only, emotional-death-preparedness-only, and sufficient-death-preparedness states) with subjective caregiving burden, depressive symptoms, and quality of life (QOL) and patients' end-of-life care (chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, intensive care unit care, intubation, mechanical ventilation support, vasopressors, nasogastric tube feeding, and hospice care) were evaluated using multivariate hierarchical linear and logistic regression modeling, respectively, for 377 caregivers in cancer patients' last 6 months and 1 month, respectively. KEY RESULTS Caregivers in the cognitive-death-preparedness-only state experienced a higher level of subjective caregiving burden than those in the sufficient-death-preparedness state. Caregivers in the no-death-preparedness and cognitive-death-preparedness-only states reported significantly more depressive symptoms and worse QOL than those in the sufficient-death-preparedness state. Cancer patients with caregivers in the sufficient-death-preparedness state were less likely to receive chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy, intubation, mechanical ventilation, and nasogastric tube feeding than patients with caregivers in other death-preparedness states. However, patients' receipt of hospice care was not associated with their caregivers' death-preparedness states. CONCLUSION Family caregivers' death-preparedness states were associated with caregiving outcomes and their relative's end-of-life care. Cultivating caregivers' accurate prognostic awareness and improving their emotional preparedness for their relative's death may facilitate more favorable end-of-life-caregiving outcomes and may limit potentially nonbeneficial end-of-life care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fur-Hsing Wen
- Department of International Business (F-H.W.), Soochow University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Wen-Chi Chou
- Division of Hematology-Oncology (W-C. C, M-M.H, P.J.S., W-C.S., J.-S.C., W-C.C., S.T.T.), Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China; College of Medicine (W-C.C., J-S.C., W-C.C.), Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Ming-Mo Hou
- Division of Hematology-Oncology (W-C. C, M-M.H, P.J.S., W-C.S., J.-S.C., W-C.C., S.T.T.), Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Po-Jung Su
- Division of Hematology-Oncology (W-C. C, M-M.H, P.J.S., W-C.S., J.-S.C., W-C.C., S.T.T.), Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Wen-Chi Shen
- Division of Hematology-Oncology (W-C. C, M-M.H, P.J.S., W-C.S., J.-S.C., W-C.C., S.T.T.), Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Jen-Shi Chen
- Division of Hematology-Oncology (W-C. C, M-M.H, P.J.S., W-C.S., J.-S.C., W-C.C., S.T.T.), Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China; College of Medicine (W-C.C., J-S.C., W-C.C.), Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Wen-Cheng Chang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology (W-C. C, M-M.H, P.J.S., W-C.S., J.-S.C., W-C.C., S.T.T.), Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China; College of Medicine (W-C.C., J-S.C., W-C.C.), Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Mei Huang Hsu
- School of Nursing (M.H.H., S.T.T.), Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Siew Tzuh Tang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology (W-C. C, M-M.H, P.J.S., W-C.S., J.-S.C., W-C.C., S.T.T.), Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China; School of Nursing (M.H.H., S.T.T.), Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China; Department of Nursing (S.T.T.), Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Republic of China.
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23
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Seow H, Barbera LC, McGrail K, Burge F, Guthrie DM, Lawson B, Chan KKW, Peacock SJ, Sutradhar R. Effect of Early Palliative Care on End-of-Life Health Care Costs: A Population-Based, Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Study. JCO Oncol Pract 2022; 18:e183-e192. [PMID: 34388021 PMCID: PMC8758090 DOI: 10.1200/op.21.00299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to investigate the impact of early versus not-early palliative care among cancer decedents on end-of-life health care costs. METHODS Using linked administrative databases, we created a retrospective cohort of cancer decedents between 2004 and 2014 in Ontario, Canada. We identified those who received early palliative care (palliative care service used in the hospital or community 12 to 6 months before death [exposure]). We used propensity score matching to identify a control group of not-early palliative care, hard matched on age, sex, cancer type, and stage at diagnosis. We examined differences in average health system costs (including hospital, emergency department, physician, and home care costs) between groups in the last month of life. RESULTS We identified 144,306 cancer decedents, of which 37% received early palliative care. After matching, we created 36,238 pairs of decedents who received early and not-early (control) palliative care; there were balanced distributions of age, sex, cancer type (24% lung cancer), and stage (25% stage III and IV). Overall, 56.3% of early group versus 66.7% of control group used inpatient care in the last month (P < .001). Considering inpatient hospital costs in the last month of life, the early group used an average (±standard deviation) of $7,105 (±$10,710) versus the control group of $9,370 (±$13,685; P < .001). Overall average costs (±standard deviation) in the last month of life for patients in the early versus control group was $12,753 (±$10,868) versus $14,147 (±$14,288; P < .001). CONCLUSION Receiving early palliative care reduced average health system costs in the last month of life, especially via avoided hospitalizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsien Seow
- Department of Oncology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada,Hsien Seow, PhD, Department of Oncology, McMaster University, 699 Concession St, 4th Fl, Rm 4-229, Hamilton, ON L8V 5C2, Canada; e-mail:
| | - Lisa C. Barbera
- Department of Oncology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Kimberlyn McGrail
- Department of Family Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Fred Burge
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Dawn M. Guthrie
- Department of Health Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Beverley Lawson
- Department of Family Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | | | | | - Rinku Sutradhar
- Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada
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24
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Hiratsuka Y, Oishi T, Miyashita M, Morita T, Mack JW, Sato Y, Takahashi M, Komine K, Saijo K, Ishioka C, Inoue A. Factors related to specialized palliative care use and aggressive care at end of life in Japanese patients with advanced solid cancers: a cohort study. Support Care Cancer 2021; 29:7805-7813. [PMID: 34169330 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-021-06364-w] [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] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to (1) describe characteristics of aggressive care at the end of life (EOL) and (2) identify factors associated with specialized palliative care use (SPC) and aggressive care at the EOL among Japanese patients with advanced cancer. METHODS This single-center, follow-up cohort study involved patients with advanced cancer who received chemotherapy at Tohoku University Hospital. Patients were surveyed at enrollment, and we followed clinical events for 5 years from enrollment in the study. We performed multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify independent factors related to SPC use and chemotherapy in the last month before death. RESULTS We analyzed a total of 135 patients enrolled between January 2015 and January 2016. No patients were admitted to the intensive care unit, and few received resuscitation or ventilation. We identified no factors significantly associated with SPC use. Meanwhile, younger age (20-59 years, odds ratio [OR] 4.10; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.30-12.91; p = 0.02) and no receipt of SPC (OR 4.32; 95% CI 1.07-17.37; p = 0.04) were associated with chemotherapy in the last month before death. CONCLUSION Younger age and a lack of SPC were associated with chemotherapy at the EOL in patients with advanced cancer in Japan. These findings suggest that Japanese patients with advanced cancer may benefit from access to SPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Hiratsuka
- Department of Palliative Medicine, Takeda General Hospital, Aizu Wakamatsu, Japan.,Department of Palliative Medicine, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Takayuki Oishi
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Mitsunori Miyashita
- Department of Palliative Nursing, Tohoku University School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan.
| | - Tatsuya Morita
- Department of Palliative and Supportive Care, Palliative Care Team, and Seirei Hospice, Seirei Mikatahara General Hospital, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Jennifer W Mack
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Center for Population Sciences, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yuko Sato
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Masahiro Takahashi
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Keigo Komine
- Department of Medical Oncology, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan
| | - Ken Saijo
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Chikashi Ishioka
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Akira Inoue
- Department of Palliative Medicine, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
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25
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Tönnies J, Hartmann M, Jäger D, Bleyel C, Becker N, Friederich HC, Haun MW. Aggressiveness of Care at the End-of-Life in Cancer Patients and Its Association With Psychosocial Functioning in Bereaved Caregivers. Front Oncol 2021; 11:673147. [PMID: 34150639 PMCID: PMC8212704 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.673147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Study Registration https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00022837,DRKS00022837. Background Intensified oncological treatment for advanced cancer patients at the end-of-life has been specified as aggressiveness of care (AOC) and increased over the past decades. The aims of this study were to 1) determine the frequency of AOC in Central Europe, and 2) investigate differences in mental health outcomes in bereaved caregivers depending on whether the decedent had experienced AOC or not. Materials and methods We conducted a cross-sectional study in a large tertiary comprehensive cancer care center in Germany. Bereaved caregivers provided information about (a) treatment within the last month of life of the deceased cancer patient and (b) their own mental health status, i.e., decision regret, complicated grief, depression, and anxiety. After multiple imputation of missing data, differences in mental health outcomes between AOC-caregivers and non-AOC-caregivers were analyzed in a multivariate analysis of variances. Results We enrolled 298 bereaved caregivers of deceased cancer patients. AOC occurred in 30.9% of all patients. In their last month of life, 20.0% of all patients started a new chemotherapy regimen, and 13.8% received ICU-treatment. We found differences in mental health outcomes between bereaved AOC- and non-AOC-caregivers. Bereaved AOC caregivers experienced significantly more decision regret compared to non-AOC caregivers (Cohen's d = 0.49, 95% CI [0.23, 0.76]). Conclusion AOC occurs frequently in European health care and is associated with poorer mental health outcomes in bereaved caregivers. Future cohort studies should substantiate these findings and explore specific trajectories related to AOC. Notwithstanding, shared-decision making at end-of-life should increasingly account for both patients' and caregivers' preferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justus Tönnies
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mechthild Hartmann
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Jäger
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Caroline Bleyel
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nikolaus Becker
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hans-Christoph Friederich
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Markus W Haun
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
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26
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Zimbwa B, Gilbar PJ, Davis MR, Kondalsamy-Chennakesavan S. Retrospective analysis of mortality within 30 days of systemic anticancer therapy and comparison with a previous audit at an Australian Regional Cancer Centre. J Oncol Pharm Pract 2021:10781552211016086. [PMID: 33990165 DOI: 10.1177/10781552211016086] [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: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To retrospectively determine the rate of death occurring within 14 and 30 days of systemic anticancer therapy (SACT), compare this against a previous audit and benchmark results against other cancer centres. Secondly, to determine if the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), not available at the time of the initial audit, impacted mortality rates. METHOD All adult solid tumour and haematology patients receiving SACT at an Australian Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) between January 2016 and July 2020 were included. RESULTS Over a 55-month period, 1709 patients received SACT. Patients dying within 14 and 30 days of SACT were 3.3% and 7.0% respectively and is slightly higher than our previous study which was 1.89% and 5.6%. Mean time to death was 15.5 days. Males accounted for 63.9% of patients and the mean age was 66.8 years. 46.2% of the 119 patients dying in the 30 days post SACT started a new line of treatment during that time. Of 98 patients receiving ICI, 22.5% died within 30 days of commencement. Disease progression was the most common cause of death (79%). The most common place of death was the RCC (38.7%). CONCLUSION The rate of death observed in our re-audit compares favourably with our previous audit and is still at the lower end of that seen in published studies in Australia and internationally. Cases of patients dying within 30 days of SACT should be regularly reviewed to maintain awareness of this benchmark of quality assurance and provide a feedback process for clinicians.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter J Gilbar
- Cancer Care Services, Toowoomba Hospital, Toowoomba, Australia.,Rural Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland Toowoomba, Toowoomba, Australia
| | - Mark R Davis
- Cancer Care Services, Toowoomba Hospital, Toowoomba, Australia
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27
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Swindell WR, Gibson CG. A simple ABCD score to stratify patients with respect to the probability of survival following in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation. J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect 2021; 11:334-342. [PMID: 34234902 PMCID: PMC8118500 DOI: 10.1080/20009666.2020.1866251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is occurring more frequently at community hospitals but most patients undergoing CPR do not survive to discharge. Tools to predict CPR survival can be improved by the identification of high-yield clinical indicators. OBJECTIVE To identify variables associated with survival to discharge following in-hospital cardiac arrest. METHODS Retrospective cohort study of 463,530 hospital admissions from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2012-2016). The analysis includes adults (age ≥50) who underwent in-hospital CPR at US community hospitals. RESULTS Overall survival to discharge was 29.8% (95% CI: 29.5-30.1%). Age was the strongest predictor of survival and had greater prognostic value than the Charlson comorbidity index. Obesity was associated with improved survival (35.9%, 95% CI: 35.1-36.7%), whereas underweight patients had decreased survival (24.0%, 95% CI: 22.2-25.7%). Acute indicators of poor survival included hyperkalemia, hypercalcemia, and sepsis. We generated an ABCD index based upon four high-yield variables (age, body habitus, comorbidity, day of hospital admission). An ABCD score of 2 or less was a sensitive but non-specific predictor of post-CPR survival (96.8% sensitivity, 95% CI: 96.6-97.0), and those with extreme scores differed 3.8-fold with respect to post-CPR survival probability (46.0% versus 12.1%). CONCLUSION Age is the strongest predictor of post-CPR survival, but body habitus is also an important indicator that may currently be underutilized. Our results support improved post-CPR survival of obese patients, consistent with an 'obesity paradox'. The ABCD score provides an efficient means of risk-stratifying patients and can be calculated in less than 1 minute.
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Affiliation(s)
- William R Swindell
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Jewish Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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28
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Mullins MA, Ruterbusch JJ, Clarke P, Uppal S, Wallner LP, Cote ML. Trends and racial disparities in aggressive end-of-life care for a national sample of women with ovarian cancer. Cancer 2021; 127:2229-2237. [PMID: 33631053 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.33488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The clinical landscape has moved toward less aggressive end-of-life care for women with ovarian cancer. However, whether there has been a decline in the use of aggressive end-of-life services is unknown. The authors evaluated current national trends and racial disparities in end-of-life care among women with ovarian cancer using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare-linked data set. METHODS In total, 7756 Medicare beneficiaries aged >66 years with ovarian cancer who died between 2007 and 2016 were identified. The authors examined trends and racial disparities in late hospice or no hospice use, >1 emergency department (ED) visit, intensive care unit admission, >1 hospitalization, terminal hospitalization, chemotherapy, and invasive and/or life-extending procedures using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS The median hospice length of stay did not change over time; however, women were increasingly admitted to the intensive care unit and had multiple ED visits in the last month of life (P < .001). Not enrolling in hospice at the end of life and terminal hospitalizations decreased over time (P < .001). Non-White women were more likely to receive aggressive end-of-life care, particularly for hospital-related utilization and life-extending procedures, whereas non-Hispanic Black women were more likely to have >1 ED visit (odds ratio, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.57-2.64) or life-extending procedures (odds ratio, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.45-2.48) compared with non-Hispanic White women. CONCLUSIONS Despite clinical guidelines and increasing emphasis on reducing aggressive end-of-life care, the use of aggressive end-of-life care for women with ovarian cancer persists, and care is most aggressive for non-White women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan A Mullins
- Center for Improving Patient and Population Health and Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Julie J Ruterbusch
- Wayne State University School of Medicine and Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Philippa Clarke
- Department of Epidemiology and Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Shitanshu Uppal
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Lauren P Wallner
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Michele L Cote
- Wayne State University School of Medicine and Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
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Debourdeau P, Belkacémi M, Economos G, Assénat E, Hilgers W, Coussirou J, Kouidri Uzan S, Vasquez L, Debourdeau A, Daures JP, Salas S. Identification of factors associated with aggressive end-of-life antitumour treatment: retrospective study of 1282 patients with cancer. BMJ Support Palliat Care 2020:bmjspcare-2020-002635. [PMID: 33154087 DOI: 10.1136/bmjspcare-2020-002635] [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: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Antitumour treatment in the last 2 weeks of death (ATT-W2) and a new regimen of ATT within 30 days of death (NATT-M1) are considered as aggressive end-of-life (EOL) care. We aimed to assess factors associated with inappropriate use of antitumour treatment (ATT) at EOL. METHODS Data of patients with cancer who died in 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019 in a single for-profit cancer centre were retrospectively analysed. ATT was divided into chemotherapy (CT), oral targeted therapy (OTT), hormonotherapy and immunotherapy (IMT). RESULTS A total of 1282 patients were included. NATT-M1 was given to 197 (15.37%) patients, and 167 (13.03%) had an ATT-W2. Patients with a performance status of <2 and treated with CT had more both ATT- W2 (OR=2.45, 95% CI 1.65 to 3.65, and OR=10.29, 95% CI 4.70 to 22.6, respectively) and NATT-M1 (OR=2.01, 95% CI 1.40 to 2.90, and OR=8.41, 95% CI 4.46 to 15.86). Predictive factors of a higher rate of ATT-W2 were treatment with OTT (OR=19.08, 95% CI 7.12 to 51.07), follow-up by a medical oncologist (OR=1.49, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.17), miscellaneous cancer (OR=3.50, 95% CI 1.13 to 10.85) and length of hospital stay before death of <13 days (OR=1.92, 95% CI 1.32 to 2.79). Urinary tract and male genital cancers received less ATT-W2 (OR=0.38, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.89, and OR=0.40, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.99) and patients treated by IMT or with age <69 years more NATT-M1 (OR=19.21, 95% CI 7.55 to 48.8, and OR=1.69, 95% CI 1.20 to 2.37). Patients followed up by the palliative care team (PCT) had fewer ATT-W2 and NATT-M1 (OR=0.49, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.71, and OR=0.42, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.58). CONCLUSIONS Most recent ATT and access to a PCT follow-up are the two most important potentially modifiable factors associated with aggressive EOL in patients with cancer. Early integrated palliative oncology care could help to decrease futile ATT at EOL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Debourdeau
- Supportive care unit, Institut sainte Catherine, Avignon, Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur, France
| | - Mohamed Belkacémi
- EA 2415, LBERC, Laboratoire de Biostatistiques, Epidémiologie et Recherche Clinique, Université Montpellier 1, Montpellier, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
| | - Guillaume Economos
- EA3738, Centre d'Investigation en Cancérologie de Lyon, Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Pierre-Bénite, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
| | - Eric Assénat
- Medical Oncology, Hospital Saint-Eloi, Montpellier, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
| | - Werner Hilgers
- Medical Oncology, Institut Sainte Catherine, Avignon, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azu, France
| | - Julie Coussirou
- Pharmacy, Institut Sainte Catherine, Avignon, Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur, France
| | - Sfaya Kouidri Uzan
- Department of Medical Information, Institut Sainte Catherine, Avignon, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azu, France
| | - Léa Vasquez
- Department of Medical Information, Institut Sainte Catherine, Avignon, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azu, France
| | - Antoine Debourdeau
- Medical Oncology, Hospital Saint-Eloi, Montpellier, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
| | - Jean Pierre Daures
- EA 2415, LBERC, Laboratoire de Biostatistiques, Epidémiologie et Recherche Clinique, Université Montpellier 1, Montpellier, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
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Immune escape: A critical hallmark in solid tumors. Life Sci 2020; 258:118110. [PMID: 32698074 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Incapacitated immune system is a characteristic hallmark of solid tumors. Immune system within a tumor undergoes an imbalance in cellular dispersion and functionality. Effector cells are precluded from the invasive margin of tumor; instead, immune suppressor cells are present at high fractions. Conditions in the tumor microenvironment (TME) like altered metabolism, chronic hypoxia and chronic inflammation are the known predisposing factors, implicated in the immune malfunctioning. Deficiency of innate immune sensing mediated by checkpoint receptors including programmed death-1 receptor (PD-1), CTL-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) hijacked by tumor cells takes a major part of the blame, requiring a need for appropriate strategies in order to bring back the balance in the immune system. Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has been in the eye of the current research rendering promising results. The story is not, however, that easy in which it is not so effective for Cold tumors, it may cause severe adverse effects, and that patients may acquire resistance to such therapy; this requires for updating the current knowledge about the immune ecosystem, using tumor type dependent dose calculation and exploiting proper adjuvants in order for evolving desired responses.
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