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Stanley MA, Daddow AA. 'Well, what do You Want to do?' A Case Study of Community Palliative Care Programme: 'Heidi's Have a Go'. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2024; 88:1335-1348. [PMID: 35049401 DOI: 10.1177/00302228211052801] [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: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The demand for palliative care has increased in high income countries as mortality in older adults has decreased and life expectancy increased. In this context, the priorities of palliative and end of life care (EoLC) have shifted in Australia, reflected in policy frameworks, national guidelines, service systems and funding models. However, aligning service systems and practice realities with these policy aspirations has been problematic in Australia and elsewhere. The current study investigates the recent implementation of a unique, community palliative care (CPC) programme called Heidi's Have a Go (HHaG) in regional Australia, which seemed to bridge the problematic divide between policy aspirations and practice implementation. Qualitative research was undertaken to examine the programme design and influence from the perspective of programme staff and volunteers. The data generated compelling stories on staff and patient experiences in its first 2 years, achieving service outcomes aligned with current policy and national frameworks and privileging patient voices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moira A Stanley
- Social Work, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Waterfront Campus, Geelong Victoria, Australia
| | - Angela A Daddow
- Social Work, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Waterfront Campus, Geelong Victoria, Australia
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Chow AYM, Zhang AY, Chan IKN, Fordjour GA, Lui JNM, Lou VWQ, Chan CLW. Caregiving Strain Mediates the Relationship Between Terminally Ill Patient's Physical Symptoms and Their Family Caregivers' Wellbeing: A Multicentered Longitudinal Study. J Palliat Care 2023:8258597231215137. [PMID: 38018131 DOI: 10.1177/08258597231215137] [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: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Objectives: Research considered patient outcomes primarily over caregivers in end-of-life care settings. The importance of family caregivers (FCs) in end-of-life care draws growing awareness, evidenced by an increasing number of evaluations of caregiver-targeted interventions. Little is known of FCs' collateral benefits in patient-oriented home-based end-of-life care. The study aims to investigate FC outcomes and change mechanisms in patient-oriented care. Methods: A pre-post-test study. We recruited FCs whose patients with a life expectancy ≤ 6 months enrolled in home-based end-of-life care provided by service organizations in Hong Kong. Patients' symptoms, dimensions of caregiving strain (ie, perception of caregiving, empathetic strain, adjustment demands), and aspects of FCs' wellbeing (ie, perceived health, positive mood, life satisfaction, spiritual well-being) were measured at baseline (T0) and 3 months later (T1). Results: Of the 345 FCs at T0, 113 provided T1 measures. Three months after the service commenced, FCs' caregiving strain significantly reduced, and their positive mood improved. Alleviation of the patient's physical symptoms predicted FC better outcomes, including the perception of caregiving, empathetic strain, and wellbeing. Changes in perception of caregiving mediated the effects of changes in patients' physical symptoms on FCs' changes in life satisfaction and spiritual wellbeing. Changes in empathetic strain mediated the changes between patient's physical symptoms and FCs' positive mood. Conclusions: Collateral benefits of patient-oriented home-based end-of-life care were encouraging for FCs. Patient's physical symptom management matters to FCs' caregiving strain and wellbeing. The active ingredients modifying FCs' perception of caregiving and addressing empathetic strain may amplify their benefits in wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Y M Chow
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Jockey Club End-of-life Community Care Project, Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Anna Y Zhang
- Jockey Club End-of-life Community Care Project, Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Iris K N Chan
- Jockey Club End-of-life Community Care Project, Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Genevieve A Fordjour
- Jockey Club End-of-life Community Care Project, Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Julianna N M Lui
- Jockey Club End-of-life Community Care Project, Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Vivian W Q Lou
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Jockey Club End-of-life Community Care Project, Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Sau Po Centre on Ageing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Cecilia L W Chan
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Jockey Club End-of-life Community Care Project, Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Iupati S, Stanley J, Egan R, MacLeod R, Davies C, Spence H, Iupati D, Middlemiss T, Gwynne-Robson I. Systematic Review of Models of Effective Community Specialist Palliative Care Services for Evidence of Improved Patient-Related Outcomes, Equity, Integration, and Health Service Utilization. J Palliat Med 2023; 26:1562-1577. [PMID: 37366688 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2022.0461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The benefits of palliative care programs are well documented. However, the effectiveness of specialist palliative care services is not well established. The previous lack of consensus on criteria for defining and characterizing models of care has restrained direct comparison between these models and limited the evidence base to inform policy makers. A rapid review for studies published up to 2012 was unable to find an effective model. Aim: To identify effective models of community specialist palliative care services. Design: A mixed-method synthesis design reported according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines. Prospero: CRD42020151840. Data sources: Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched in September 2019 for primary research and review articles from 2012 to 2019. Supplementary search was conducted on Google in 2020 for policy documents to identify additional relevant studies. Results: The search yielded 2255 articles; 36 articles satisfied the eligibility criteria and 6 additional articles were identified from other sources. Eight systematic reviews and 34 primary studies were identified: observational studies (n = 24), randomized controlled trials (n = 5), and qualitative studies (n = 5). Community specialist palliative care was found to improve symptom burden/quality of life and to reduce secondary service utilization across cancer and noncancer diagnoses. Much of this evidence relates to face-to-face care in home-based settings with both round-the-clock and episodic care. There were few studies addressing pediatric populations or minority groups. Findings from qualitative studies revealed that care coordination, provision of practical help, after-hours support, and medical crisis management were some of the factors contributing to patients' and caregivers' positive experience. Conclusion: Strong evidence exists for community specialist palliative care to improve quality of life and reducing secondary service utilization. Future research should focus on equity outcomes and the interface between generalist and specialist care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salina Iupati
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago Dunedin School of Medicine, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Te Omanga Hospice, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
| | - James Stanley
- Biostatistics Group, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Richard Egan
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago Dunedin School of Medicine, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Roderick MacLeod
- Department of General Practice and Primary Care, The University of Auckland Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Cheryl Davies
- Tu Kotahi Māori Asthma and Research Trust, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
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Kling SMR, Lessios AS, Holdsworth LM, Yefimova M, Wu S, Martin M, Sheffrin M, Winget M. Caregiver Experiences Participating in a Home-Based Primary Care Program: A Pragmatic Evaluation Including Qualitative Interviews and Quantitative Surveys. J Appl Gerontol 2023; 42:2066-2077. [PMID: 37269325 DOI: 10.1177/07334648231176380] [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: 06/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this evaluation was to assess caregiver experience and burden during their first year in a geriatric home-based primary care (HBPC) program with qualitative interviews and surveys. HBPC included in-home visits for homebound, older adult patients. Seventeen caregivers, with varied amount of experience with HBPC, participated in semi-structured interviews. Change in caregiver burden from baseline was captured for 44 caregivers at 3 months post-enrollment, 27 caregivers at 6 months, and 22 caregivers at 12 months. Satisfaction survey was administered at these timepoints, but the last response of 48 caregivers was analyzed. Caregiver interviews revealed three themes: caregiving stressors, reliance on HBPC in relation to other medical care, and healthcare in the home. Surveyed caregivers were highly satisfied, but burden did not change substantially over the 1 year intervention. Caregivers appreciated HBPC reduced patient transportation and provided satisfactory primary care, but additional research is needed to tailor this care to reduce caregiver burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha M R Kling
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Anna Sophia Lessios
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Laura M Holdsworth
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Maria Yefimova
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Office of Research Patient Care Services, Stanford Healthcare, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Siqi Wu
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Marina Martin
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Meera Sheffrin
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Marcy Winget
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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5
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Abstract
Palliative care (PC), which improves the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses, can be offered in multiple settings, such as the hospital, community, and home. The trend toward delivering PC at home has been recently accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has created challenges for patients with serious illnesses who have been proven to be susceptible to serious COVID-19 illnesses. This review of the literature presents research studies on home PC (HPC) during the pandemic. Databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection) were searched. Twelve research/case studies were found to be relevant. These articles gathered information either through qualitative (surveys/interviews) methods or medical records. Most qualitative articles focused on perceived challenges and opportunities from HPC professionals' perspectives. Adopting telehealth was frequently discussed as a key tool to adjust to the pandemic. In general, HPC professionals and patients had a positive attitude toward telehealth, and this attitude was much more pronounced among professionals than patients. Among HPC professionals, some reports indicated that their burnout rates reduced, and job satisfaction increased during the pandemic. Regarding clinical and cost outcomes, there is a gap in the literature on HPC during the pandemic. In conclusion, despite challenges, it seems that the pandemic has gifted some long-term opportunities for promoting HPC in combination with telehealth. COVID-19 will not be the last pandemic, and we should be prepared for the next one by updating policies and building concrete infrastructure for HPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Mojtahedi
- Department of Healthcare
Administration and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Jay J Shen
- Department of Healthcare
Administration and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA,Jay J Shen, PhD, Department of Healthcare
Administration and Policy School of Public Health University of Nevada, Las
Vegas, NV 89119, USA.
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Kripalani S, Joy S, Raizada S, Cerceo E. A biopsychosocial approach to death, dying, and bereavement: a course on end-of-life education for medical students. MEDEDPUBLISH 2022; 12:44. [PMID: 37538834 PMCID: PMC10394390 DOI: 10.12688/mep.19140.4] [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] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Despite the inevitable nature of death and dying, the conversations surrounding this subject are still uncomfortable for many physicians and medical students. Methods: A six-week humanities-based course, "A Biopsychosocial Approach to Death, Dying, & Bereavement," at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, United States, which covers definitions of death and dying, the process of dying, ethical dilemmas, and new concepts of the grieving process. Through development of a curriculum using various academic and medical literature and resources, we sought to bring attention to the necessity of having a medical education curriculum on death and dying to prepare medical students for the difficult conversations and patient experiences that lie ahead of them. Qualitative data in the form of surveys and reflection papers submitted by students and quantitative data (Likert scores on course satisfaction) were collected and analyzed both pre- and post-course. Results: 90.7% (49/54) of the respondents answered that they agree or strongly agree with the statement that this selective course was useful in the student's medical education experience. The top three qualitative themes brought up the most in reflection papers (n=54) were: the utility and instruction of the course (21 times), the importance of hospice and palliative care (20 times), avoidance around topics of death (15 times). Conclusions : Medical students are often not prepared to cope with the realities of patient loss and of caring for the patient and their families throughout the dying process. We created this course to familiarize medical students with an aspect of the medical experience that is frequently neglected in traditional medical curricula. We learned that integrating such a course can help educate medical students facilitate important conversations, teach them to act with kindness and dignity in a physician-patient setting, and enhance their personal understanding of death and dying.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simran Kripalani
- Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, 18103, USA
| | - Sandra Joy
- Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, 18103, USA
- Rowan University, Glassboro, New Jersey, 08028, USA
| | - Shivani Raizada
- Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, 18103, USA
| | - Elizabeth Cerceo
- Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, 18103, USA
- Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ, 08103, USA
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Kripalani S, Joy S, Raizada S, Cerceo E. A biopsychosocial approach to death, dying, and bereavement: a course on end-of-life education for medical students. MEDEDPUBLISH 2022. [DOI: 10.12688/mep.19140.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Despite the inevitable nature of death and dying, the conversations surrounding this subject are still uncomfortable for many physicians and medical students. Methods: A six-week humanities-based course, “A Biopsychosocial Approach to Death, Dying, & Bereavement,” at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, United States, which covers definitions of death and dying, the process of dying, ethical dilemmas, and new concepts of the grieving process. Through development of a curriculum using various academic and medical literature and resources, we sought to bring attention to the necessity of having a medical education curriculum on death and dying to prepare medical students for the difficult conversations and patient experiences that lie ahead of them. Qualitative data in the form of surveys and reflection papers submitted by students and quantitative data (Likert scores on course satisfaction) were collected and analyzed both pre- and post-course. Results: 90.7% (49/54) of the respondents answered that they agree or strongly agree with the statement that this selective course was useful in the student’s medical education experience. The top three qualitative themes brought up the most in reflection papers (n=54) were: the utility and instruction of the course (21 times), the importance of hospice and palliative care (20 times), avoidance around topics of death (15 times). Conclusions: Medical students are often not prepared to cope with the realities of patient loss and of caring for the patient and their families throughout the dying process. We created this course to familiarize medical students with an aspect of the medical experience that is frequently neglected in traditional medical curricula. We learned that integrating such a course can help educate medical students facilitate important conversations, teach them to act with kindness and dignity in a physician-patient setting, and enhance their personal understanding of death and dying.
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Kripalani S, Joy S, Raizada S, Cerceo E. A biopsychosocial approach to death, dying, and bereavement: a course on end-of-life education for medical students. MEDEDPUBLISH 2022. [DOI: 10.12688/mep.19140.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Despite the inevitable nature of death and dying, the conversations surrounding this subject are still uncomfortable for many physicians and medical students. Methods: A six-week humanities-based course, “A Biopsychosocial Approach to Death, Dying, & Bereavement,” at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, United States, which covers definitions of death and dying, the process of dying, ethical dilemmas, and new concepts of the grieving process. Through development of a curriculum using various academic and medical literature and resources, we sought to bring attention to the necessity of having a medical education curriculum on death and dying to prepare medical students for the difficult conversations and patient experiences that lie ahead of them. Qualitative data in the form of surveys and reflection papers submitted by students and quantitative data (Likert scores on course satisfaction) were collected and analyzed both pre- and post-course. Results: 90.7% (49/54) of the respondents answered that they agree or strongly agree with the statement that this selective course was useful in the student’s medical education experience. The top three qualitative themes brought up the most in reflection papers (n=50) were: the utility and instruction of the course (23 times), the importance of hospice and palliative care (23 times), and respecting patient autonomy (16 times). Conclusions: Medical students are often not prepared to cope with the realities of patient loss and of caring for the patient and their families throughout the dying process. We created this course to familiarize medical students with an aspect of the medical experience that is frequently neglected in traditional medical curricula. We learned that integrating such a course can help educate medical students facilitate important conversations, teach them to act with kindness and dignity in a physician-patient setting, and enhance their personal understanding of death and dying.
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Kripalani S, Joy S, Raizada S, Cerceo E. A biopsychosocial approach to death, dying, and bereavement: a course on end-of-life education for medical students. MEDEDPUBLISH 2022. [DOI: 10.12688/mep.19140.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Despite the inevitable nature of death and dying, the conversations surrounding this subject are still uncomfortable for many physicians and medical students. Methods: A six-week humanities-based course, “A Biopsychosocial Approach to Death, Dying, & Bereavement,” at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, United States, which covers definitions of death and dying, the process of dying, ethical dilemmas, and new concepts of the grieving process. Through development of a curriculum using various academic and medical literature and resources, we sought to bring attention to the necessity of having a medical education curriculum on death and dying to prepare medical students for the difficult conversations and patient experiences that lie ahead of them. Qualitative data in the form of surveys and reflection papers submitted by students and quantitative data (Likert scores on course satisfaction) were collected and analyzed both pre- and post-course. Results: 90.7% (49/54) of the respondents answered that they agree or strongly agree with the statement that this selective course was useful in the student’s medical education experience. The top three qualitative themes brought up the most in reflection papers (n=50) were: the utility and instruction of the course (23 times), the importance of hospice and palliative care (23 times), and respecting patient autonomy (16 times). Conclusions: Medical students are often not prepared to cope with the realities of patient loss and of caring for the patient and their families throughout the dying process. We created this course to familiarize medical students with an aspect of the medical experience that is frequently neglected in traditional medical curricula. We learned that integrating such a course can help educate medical students facilitate important conversations, teach them to act with kindness and dignity in a physician-patient setting, and enhance their personal understanding of death and dying.
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Mamom J, Daovisan H. Listening to Caregivers' Voices: The Informal Family Caregiver Burden of Caring for Chronically Ill Bedridden Elderly Patients. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:567. [PMID: 35010827 PMCID: PMC8744801 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The informal family caregiver burden (IFCB) for chronically ill bedridden elderly patients (CIBEPs) is a major issue worldwide. It is a significant challenge due to the ongoing increased palliative care in the family setting; therefore, we explored the IFCB of caring for CIBEPs in Thailand. This article utilized a qualitative method, the total interpretive structural modeling (TISM) approach, with purposive sampling of thirty respondents between September and December 2020. The data were analyzed using cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification (MICMAC) to determine the relationship between the driving and dependence power of the enabling factors. The IFCB of the palliative care of CIBEPs was associated with primary care, nursing, extrinsic monitoring and complication prevention. The results showed that the IFCB involves taking responsibility, daily workload, follow-up caring, caring tasks, caregiving strain, financial distress, patient support, external support and caregiving strategy; thus, assistance with taking responsibility, extrinsic monitoring and follow-up care daily tasks may reduce the caregiver burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinpitcha Mamom
- Department of Adult Nursing and the Aged, Faculty of Nursing, Thammasat University, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani 12121, Thailand
- Excellence Center in Creative Engineering Design and Development, Faculty of Engineering, Thammasat University, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani 12121, Thailand
| | - Hanvedes Daovisan
- Human Security and Equity Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University Social Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand;
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Yu W, Lu Q, Lu Y, Yang H, Zhang L, Guo R, Hou X. Anticipatory Grief among Chinese Family Caregivers of Patients with Advanced Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study. Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs 2021; 8:369-376. [PMID: 34159229 PMCID: PMC8186392 DOI: 10.4103/apjon.apjon-214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The objective of this study was to explore the interrelationship between anticipatory grief (AG), caregiver burden, communication, preparation for death, and coping style. Methods A convenience sample of 256 Chinese family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer were recruited from an academic cancer hospital between April 2018 and May 2019. This cross-sectional survey included the AG Scale, caregiver burden (Caregiver Reaction Assessment), communication (Caregivers' Communication with Patients about Illness and Death Scale), preparation for death, and coping style (Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire). Structural equation modeling tested the interrelation between them. Results The final model fitted the data acceptably (χ2 = 25.79, degrees of freedom = 17, P = 0.08, root mean square error of approximation = 0.05, goodness-of-fit index [GFI] = 0.98, adjusted GFI [AGFI] = 0.95, parsimony GFI [PGFI] = 0.46, normed fit index = 0.94, comparative fit index = 0.98). Poor communication contributed to less preparation for death and caregiver burden, which further aggravate AG. Communication was positively associated with AG. In addition, communication and positive coping style interacted to further influence caregiver burden. Conclusions Preliminary results supported the model and showed that poor communication, less preparation for death, and caregiver burden contributed to AG while positive coping alleviated AG. Findings suggest the need for further studies to explore effective intervention for communication, preparation for death, burden, and coping style of caregivers to ultimately alleviate AG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhua Yu
- Department of Thoracic Surgical Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Lu
- School of Nursing, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuhan Lu
- Department of Nursing, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Yang
- Department of Nursing, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Lichuan Zhang
- School of Nursing, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Renxiu Guo
- Department of Digestive Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoting Hou
- Department of Thoracic Medical Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
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Nouri S, Ritchie C, Chen P, Volow A, Li B, Tellez I, Sudore RL. Supporting In-Home Caregivers in Symptom Assessment of Frail Older Adults with Serious Illness: A Pilot Study. J Palliat Med 2020; 23:1631-1638. [PMID: 32456540 PMCID: PMC7698995 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2020.0103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Many older adults with serious illness who depend on others for care have symptoms that are difficult to manage. Supporting caregivers in symptom assessment (SA) may reduce suffering. Objective: Pilot an SA-Toolkit for caregivers to assess older adults' symptoms at home. Design: Pilot study. Setting/Subjects: English-speaking patients ≥65 years of age and their caregivers from a home-based geriatrics program in San Francisco. Measurements: With multiple stakeholder input, we created a SA-Toolkit consisting of illustrations depicting symptoms, validated Faces Scale, and easy-to-use tracking system with phone numbers of family/friends/clinicians. At baseline and one week, we assessed change in patients' symptoms and caregivers' self-efficacy with SA (5-point scale) using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. We assessed acceptability at one week. Results: Eleven patient/caregiver dyads participated in the study. Patients were 84.7 years old (SD 5.7), 81.8% women, 27.3% non-white. From baseline to one week, mean number of symptoms decreased (3.7 [1.5] to 2.6 [1.8], p = 0.03). Specifically, patients with pain decreased from 63.6% to 36.4%, anxiety 54.6% to 18.2%, depression 45.5% to 27.3%, and loneliness 36.4% to 18.2%. Caregiver self-efficacy increased (4.6 [0.3] to 4.8 [0.3], p = 0.09). Patients found the symptom illustrations easy to use (8.7 on 10-point scale), but the Faces Scale less so (7.3/10) because it provided "too many choices." Caregivers liked the SA-Toolkit because it was easy to use; nearly all (10/11, 90%) would recommend it to others. Conclusions: The SA-Toolkit resulted in decreased symptom burden among patients and higher caregiver self-efficacy in SA. The SA-Toolkit is acceptable and may help reduce suffering in frail, older patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Nouri
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Christine Ritchie
- Division of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Pei Chen
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Aiesha Volow
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Brookelle Li
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Ismael Tellez
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Rebecca L. Sudore
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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