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Bagchus C, Zee MS, van der Steen JT, Klapwijk MS, Dekker NL, Onwuteaka-Philipsen BD, Pasman HRW. Challenges in recognizing and discussing changes in a resident's condition in the palliative phase: focus group discussions with nursing staff working in nursing homes about their experiences. BMC Palliat Care 2024; 23:144. [PMID: 38858719 PMCID: PMC11163817 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-024-01479-3] [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: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most nursing home residents have complex care needs, require palliative care and eventually die in these facilities. Timely recognition of changes in a resident's condition is crucial for providing appropriate care. Observations by nursing staff play a significant role in identifying and interpreting these changes. METHODS Focus group discussions were conducted with nursing staff from ten nursing homes in the Netherlands to explore their experiences and challenges in recognizing and discussing changes in a resident's condition. These discussions were analysed following the principles of thematic analysis. RESULTS The analysis of the challenges nursing staff face in identifying and interpreting changes in a resident's condition, resulted in three themes. First, that recognizing changes is considered complex, because it requires specialized knowledge and skills that is generally not part of their education and must partly be learned in practice. This also depends on how familiar the nursing staff is with the resident. Furthermore, different people observe residents through different lenses, depending on their relation and experiences with residents. This could lead to disagreements about the resident's condition. Lastly, organizational structures such as the resources available to document and discuss a resident's condition and the hierarchy between nursing home professionals often hindered discussions and sharing observations. CONCLUSION Nursing staff's experiences highlight the complexity of recognizing and discussing changes in nursing home residents' conditions. While supporting the observational skills of nursing staff is important, it is not enough to improve the quality of care for nursing home residents with palliative care needs. As nursing staff experiences challenges at different, interrelated levels, improving the process of recognizing and discussing changes in nursing home residents requires an integrated approach in which the organization strengthens the position of nursing staff. It is important that their observations become a valued and integrated and part of nursing home care.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Bagchus
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Expertise Center for Palliative Care, Amsterdam UMC, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Faculty of Health, University of Applied Sciences Leiden, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - M S Zee
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Expertise Center for Palliative Care, Amsterdam UMC, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - J T van der Steen
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Hippocratespad 21, Gebouw 3, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Primary and Community Care and Radboudumc Alzheimer center, Radboud university medical center, P.O. Box 9600, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - M S Klapwijk
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Hippocratespad 21, Gebouw 3, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - N Lemos Dekker
- Institute of Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - B D Onwuteaka-Philipsen
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Expertise Center for Palliative Care, Amsterdam UMC, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - H R W Pasman
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Expertise Center for Palliative Care, Amsterdam UMC, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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Borgstrom E, Dekker NL. Standardising care of the dying: An ethnographic analysis of the Liverpool Care Pathway in England and the Netherlands. SOCIOLOGY OF HEALTH & ILLNESS 2022; 44:1445-1460. [PMID: 35983954 DOI: 10.1111/1467-9566.13529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The Liverpool Care Pathway for the Dying Patient (LCP) was a prominent set of guidance in the late 2000s and early 2010s within palliative and end-of-life care. Developed in England to improve the care of dying patients, it was later adopted in 20 counties. After a public scandal, it was removed from practice in England but remains in other locations, including the Netherlands. Drawing on two sets of ethnographic data, from England and the Netherlands, we consider the ways in which the LCP was engaged with as a form of standardisation aimed at improving practice, how it was deployed in relation to other forms of knowledge, and the political and moral statements that are being made through the (selective) use of it. Looking into the use of the LCP shows that, while the LCP attempts to standardise some of the values associated with palliative care, there are significant differences between how these standardised values are then enacted in different institutional and national contexts and by different individual care professionals. We conclude that the LCP was used to impart moral values, establish protocols of care, and demonstrate professionalism, showing the multiplicity of the use of standards in healthcare practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Borgstrom
- School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - Natashe Lemos Dekker
- Institute of Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Li M, Ao Y, Deng S, Peng P, Chen S, Wang T, Martek I, Bahmani H. A Scoping Literature Review of Rural Institutional Elder Care. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph191610319. [PMID: 36011954 PMCID: PMC9408389 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191610319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Under circumstances of pervasive global aging combined with weakened traditional family elder care, an incremental demand for institutional elder care is generated. This has led to a surge in research regarding institutional elder care. Rural residents' institutional elder care is receiving more attention as a major theme in social sciences and humanities research. Based on 94 articles related to rural institutional elder care, this study identified the most influential articles, journals and countries in rural institutional elder care research since 1995. This was done using science mapping methods through a three-step workflow consisting of bibliometric retrieval, scoping analysis and qualitative discussion. Keywords revealed five research mainstreams in this field: (1) the cognition and mental state of aged populations, (2) the nursing quality and service supply of aged care institutions, (3) the aged care management systems' establishment and improvements, (4) the risk factors of admission and discharge of aged care institutions, and (5) deathbed matters regarding the aged population. A qualitative discussion is also provided for 39 urban and rural comparative research papers and 55 pure rural research papers, summarizing the current research progress status regarding institutional elder care systems in rural areas. Gaps within existing research are also identified to indicate future research trends (such as the multi-dimensional and in-depth comparative research on institutional elder care, new rural institutional elder care model and technology, and correlative policy planning and development), which provides a multi-disciplinary guide for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyang Li
- College of Management Science, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
| | - Yibin Ao
- College of Management Science, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
- College of Environment and Civil Engineering, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
| | - Shulin Deng
- College of Environment and Civil Engineering, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
| | - Panyu Peng
- College of Environment and Civil Engineering, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
| | - Shuangzhou Chen
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tong Wang
- Faculty of Architecture and Built Environment, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Igor Martek
- School of Architecture and Built Environment, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia
| | - Homa Bahmani
- College of Environment and Civil Engineering, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
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Bruun A, Oostendorp L, Bloch S, White N, Mitchinson L, Sisk AR, Stone P. Prognostic decision-making about imminent death within multidisciplinary teams: a scoping review. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e057194. [PMID: 35383077 PMCID: PMC8984043 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-057194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To summarise evidence on how multidisciplinary team (MDTs) make decisions about identification of imminently dying patients. DESIGN Scoping review. SETTING Any clinical setting providing care for imminently dying patients, excluding studies conducted solely in acute care settings. DATA SOURCES The databases AMED, CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, PsychINFO and Web of Science were searched from inception to May 2021.Included studies presented original study data written in English and reported on the process or content of MDT discussions about identifying imminently dying adult patients. RESULTS 40 studies were included in the review. Studies were primarily conducted using interviews and qualitative analysis of themes.MDT members involved in decision-making were usually doctors and nurses. Some decisions focused on professionals recognising that patients were dying, other decisions focused on initiating specific end-of-life care pathways or clarifying care goals. Most decisions provided evidence for a partial collaborative approach, with information-sharing being more common than joint decision-making. Issues with decision-making included disagreement between staff members and the fact that doctors were often regarded as final or sole decision-makers. CONCLUSIONS Prognostic decision-making was often not the main focus of included studies. Based on review findings, research explicitly focusing on MDT prognostication by analysing team discussions is needed. The role of allied and other types of healthcare professionals in prognostication needs further investigation as well. A focus on specialist palliative care settings is also necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Bruun
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, Division of Psychiatry, UCL, London, UK
| | - Linda Oostendorp
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, Division of Psychiatry, UCL, London, UK
| | - Steven Bloch
- Department of Language and Cognition, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, UCL, London, UK
| | - Nicola White
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, Division of Psychiatry, UCL, London, UK
| | - Lucy Mitchinson
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, Division of Psychiatry, UCL, London, UK
| | - Ali-Rose Sisk
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, Division of Psychiatry, UCL, London, UK
| | - Patrick Stone
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, Division of Psychiatry, UCL, London, UK
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Klapwijk MS, Dekker NL, Caljouw MAA, Achterberg WP, van der Steen JT. Experiences with the Liverpool care pathway for the dying patient in nursing home residents: a mixed-method study to assess physicians' and nurse practitioners' perceptions. BMC Palliat Care 2020; 19:183. [PMID: 33256717 PMCID: PMC7706263 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-020-00686-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The Liverpool care pathway for the dying patient (LCP) is a multidisciplinary tool developed for the dying phase for use in palliative care settings. The literature reports divergent experiences with its application in a nursing home setting related to its implementation and staff competencies. The aim of this study is to understand how the LCP is being used in the context of the nursing home, including for residents with dementia, and experienced from the perspectives of those responsible for medical treatment in nursing homes. Methods A mixed-methods approach was used, consisting of a survey followed by interviews. A link to a 9-item online survey with closed and open-ended questions was emailed to all physicians and nurse practitioners of 33 care organisations with nursing homes in three regions of the Netherlands (North, West and South). In addition, 10 respondents with particularly positive or negative experiences were selected for semi-structured interviews. Results The survey was completed by 159 physicians and nurse practitioners. The respondents were very positive on the content and less positive on the use of the LCP, although they reported difficulties identifying the right time to start the LCP, especially in case of dementia. Also using the LCP was more complicated after the implementation of the electronic health record. The LCP was judged to be a marker of quality for the assessment of symptoms in the dying phase and communication with relatives. Conclusion An instrument that prompts regular assessment of a dying person was perceived by those responsible for (medical) care to contribute to good care. As such, the LCP was valued, but there was a clear need to start it earlier than in the last days or hours of life, a need for a shorter version, and for integration of the LCP in the electronic health record. Regular assessments with an instrument that focusses on quality of care and good symptom control can improve palliative care for nursing home residents with and without dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maartje S Klapwijk
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, Leiden, 2300 RC, the Netherlands. .,Marente, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Natashe Lemos Dekker
- Institute of Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Monique A A Caljouw
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, Leiden, 2300 RC, the Netherlands
| | - Wilco P Achterberg
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, Leiden, 2300 RC, the Netherlands
| | - Jenny T van der Steen
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, Leiden, 2300 RC, the Netherlands
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Lemos Dekker N. Competing goods and fallacies of care: Moral deliberations at the end of life in the nursing home. J Aging Stud 2019; 51:100798. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaging.2019.100798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Andersson S, Lindqvist O, Fürst CJ, Brännström M. Family members' experiences of care of the dying in residential care homes where the Liverpool Care Pathway was used. Int J Palliat Nurs 2019; 24:194-202. [PMID: 29703112 DOI: 10.12968/ijpn.2018.24.4.194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Residential care homes (RCHs) are increasingly becoming a common place of death for older people. AIM The aim of this study was to describe family members' experiences of care of the dying in RCHs where the Liverpool care pathway for the dying patient was used. METHODS This study had a descriptive qualitative study design. Fifteen (n=15) individual interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS The analysis resulted in three themes: being confident in a familiar and warm atmosphere, being involved vs not being involved in end-of-life (EoL) care, and being consoled by witnessing the health professional's endeavour to relieve suffering. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS The results indicated that taking part in a care plan seems to increase family members' feelings of involvement in EoL care. This study also highlights the family members' needs for increased possibilities for EoL discussions with the GP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Andersson
- Registered Nurse, PhD student, Department of Nursing, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Olav Lindqvist
- Registered Nurse, Senior lecturer, Department of Nursing, Umeå University; Department of Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics/Division of Innovative Care, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Carl-Johan Fürst
- Professor, The Institute for Palliative Care, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Lund University and Region Skåne, Lund, Sweden
| | - Margareta Brännström
- Registered Nurse, Associate Professor, Senior lecturer, Department of Nursing, Umeå; The Arctic Research Centre, Umeå University; Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University
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Olsson C, Kling E, Grundel Persson K, Larsson M. Impact of the Liverpool Care Pathway on quality end-of- care in residential care homes and home care-Nurses' perceptions. Nurs Open 2019; 6:1589-1599. [PMID: 31660187 PMCID: PMC6805710 DOI: 10.1002/nop2.364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Aim was to describe how Registered Nurses (RNs) and assistant nurses (ANs) working in residential care homes and home care perceived quality end-of-life care after implementation of the Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP) in terms of subjective importance of care aspects and actual care given. DESIGN Descriptive cross-sectional. METHODS Registered Nurses (N = 22; 100% response rate) and ANs (N = 120; 59% response rate) working in a Swedish municipality. Data collection with a study-specific questionnaire (50 items) about perceived reality (PR) and subjective importance (SI). Non-parametric statistics. RESULTS Implementation of the LCP ensured systematic assessment and alleviation of patients' symptoms and needs. The ANs, more than the RNs, perceived that the patients received the best possible nursing and medical care (p = .01). Both groups considered that communication with patients and families as well as the information exchange between the team members was facilitated. Areas for improvement were identified about psychological and existential support and patients and families' participation in care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Olsson
- Department of Health SciencesKarlstad UniversityKarlstadSweden
| | - Elisabeth Kling
- Department of Health SciencesKarlstad UniversityKarlstadSweden
| | | | - Maria Larsson
- Department of Health SciencesKarlstad UniversityKarlstadSweden
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van der Steen JT, Lennaerts H, Hommel D, Augustijn B, Groot M, Hasselaar J, Bloem BR, Koopmans RTCM. Dementia and Parkinson's Disease: Similar and Divergent Challenges in Providing Palliative Care. Front Neurol 2019; 10:54. [PMID: 30915012 PMCID: PMC6421983 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Dementia and Parkinson's disease are incurable neurological conditions. Patients often experience specific, complex, and varying needs along their disease trajectory. Current management typically employs a multidisciplinary team approach. Recognition is growing that this team approach should also address palliative care issues to optimize quality of life for patient and family caregivers, but it remains unclear how palliative care is best delivered. To inspire future service development and research, we compare the trajectories and conceptualization of palliative care between dementia and Parkinson's disease. Both Parkinson's disease and dementia are characterized by a protracted course, with progressive but fairly insidious development of disability. However, patients with Parkinson's disease may experience relatively stable periods initially but with time, a wide range of debilitating symptoms develops, many of which do not respond well to treatment. Eventually, dementia develops in most Parkinson patients, while motor disability develops in many dementia patients. In both diseases, symptoms such as pain, apathy, sleeping problems, falls, and a high caregiver burden are prevalent. Advance care planning has benefits in terms of being prepared before the disease progresses into a stage with communication problems or severe cognitive impairment. However, for both conditions, the protracted disease trajectories complicate conceptualization of palliative care through different stages of the disease, with pertinent questions such as when to offer what interventions pro-actively. Given the similarities and differences, we should develop palliative approaches that are partially generic and partially disease-specific. These should be integrated seamlessly with disease-specific care. Substantial research is already being performed on dementia palliative care. This may also inform the further development of palliative care for Parkinson's disease, including an evaluation of palliative interventions and services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny T. van der Steen
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Herma Lennaerts
- Departments of Neurology and Anesthesiology, Pain and Palliative Care, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Danny Hommel
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Groenhuysen Organisation, Roosendaal, Netherlands
| | | | - Marieke Groot
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Palliative Care/Expertise Center for Palliative Care, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Hasselaar
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Palliative Care/Expertise Center for Palliative Care, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Bastiaan R. Bloem
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Raymond T. C. M. Koopmans
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Radboudumc Alzheimer Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- De Waalboog “Joachim en Anna, ” Center for Specialized Geriatric Care, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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