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Wittenberg E, Goldsmith JV, Chen C(K, Prince-Paul M. A conceptual model of the nurse's role as primary palliative care provider in goals of care communication. PEC INNOVATION 2024; 4:100254. [PMID: 38298557 PMCID: PMC10828588 DOI: 10.1016/j.pecinn.2024.100254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Objective Nurses have opportunities to engage in goals of care conversations that can promote palliative care communication. The purpose of this study was to describe nurses' experiences in goals of care communication as summarized in the literature and to present a conceptual model of communication pathways for nurses. Methods An integrative review of the literature (2016-2022) addressing nurses' experiences in goals of care communication was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, and PsychInfo databases. A total of 92 articles were retrieved. A total of 12 articles were included for this review after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results Of the 12 articles, the majority were qualitative studies (n = 8). Qualitative analysis of findings from all articles revealed three dominant themes: nurses' ambiguous role responsibilities, goals of care as end-of-life communication, and the need for nurse communication training. Conclusion This article suggests an innovative conceptual model for advancing nurse communication about goals of care to facilitate primary palliative care. Innovation The framework characterizes two communication pathways for Advanced Practice Nurses who direct goals of care discussions and Registered Nurses who support goals of care communication. The model informs future communication training aimed at supporting primary palliative care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaine Wittenberg
- From California State University Los Angeles, Department of Communication Studies, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Joy V. Goldsmith
- From University of Memphis, Department of Communication and Film, Memphis, TN, USA
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Kelly D, Barrett J, Brand G, Leech M, Rees C. Factors influencing decision-making processes for intensive care therapy goals: A systematic integrative review. Aust Crit Care 2024; 37:805-817. [PMID: 38609749 DOI: 10.1016/j.aucc.2024.02.007] [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: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Delivering intensive care therapies concordant with patients' values and preferences is considered gold standard care. To achieve this, healthcare professionals must better understand decision-making processes and factors influencing them. AIM The aim of this study was to explore factors influencing decision-making processes about implementing and limiting intensive care therapies. DESIGN Systematic integrative review, synthesising quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods studies. METHODS Five databases were searched (Medline, The Cochrane central register of controlled trials, Embase, PsycINFO, and CINAHL plus) for peer-reviewed, primary research published in English from 2010 to Oct 2022. Quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods studies focussing on intensive care decision-making were included for appraisal. Full-text review and quality screening included the Critical Appraisal Skills Program tool for qualitative and mixed methods and the Medical Education Research Quality Instrument for quantitative studies. Papers were reviewed by two authors independently, and a third author resolved disagreements. The primary author developed a thematic coding framework and performed coding and pattern identification using NVivo, with regular group discussions. RESULTS Of the 83 studies, 44 were qualitative, 32 quantitative, and seven mixed-methods studies. Seven key themes were identified: what the decision is about; who is making the decision; characteristics of the decision-maker; factors influencing medical prognostication; clinician-patient/surrogate communication; factors affecting decisional concordance; and how interactions affect decisional concordance. Substantial thematic overlaps existed. The most reported decision was whether to withhold therapies, and the most common decision-maker was the clinician. Whether a treatment recommendation was concordant was influenced by multiple factors including institutional cultures and clinician continuity. CONCLUSION Decision-making relating to intensive care unit therapy goals is complicated. The current review identifies that breadth of decision-makers, and the complexity of intersecting factors has not previously been incorporated into interventions or considered within a single review. Its findings provide a basis for future research and training to improve decisional concordance between clinicians and patients/surrogates with regards to intensive care unit therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diane Kelly
- Intensive Care Unit, Epworth Hospital, Richmond, VIC, Australia; Monash Centre for Scholarship in Health Education, Faculty of Medicine Nursing & Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
| | - Jonathan Barrett
- Intensive Care Unit, Epworth Hospital, Richmond, VIC, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Gabrielle Brand
- Monash Nursing & Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, Monash University, Frankston, VIC, Australia
| | - Michelle Leech
- Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia; Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Charlotte Rees
- Monash Centre for Scholarship in Health Education, Faculty of Medicine Nursing & Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia; School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine, Nursing & Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
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de Vries S, Verhoef MJ, Vervoort SCJM, van der Linden YM, Teunissen SCCM, de Graaf E. Barriers and facilitators that hospital clinicians perceive to discuss the personal values, wishes, and needs of patients in palliative care: a mixed-methods systematic review. Palliat Care Soc Pract 2023; 17:26323524231212510. [PMID: 38044932 PMCID: PMC10693227 DOI: 10.1177/26323524231212510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The exploration and monitoring of the personal values, wishes, and needs (VWN) of patients in the palliative phase by hospital clinicians is essential for guiding appropriate palliative care. Objective To explore the barriers and facilitators concerning communication with patients in the palliative phase about their VWN as perceived by hospital clinicians. Design A mixed-methods systematic review following the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines for mixed-method systematic reviews and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines was conducted (PROSPERO ID: CRD42021216693). Data sources and methods Eight databases, including PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL, were searched without time restrictions. The search string was built using the search Palliative cAre Literature rEview iTeraTive mEthod (PALETTE) framework. Eligible studies focused on (1) hospital clinicians and (2) perceived barriers and facilitators regarding the exploration and monitoring of the VWN of adult patients in the palliative phase. Two researchers independently selected articles and evaluated the quality. Findings were synthesized using a convergent integrated approach. Results In total, 29 studies were included: 14 quantitative, 13 qualitative, and 2 mixed methods. Five synthesized findings were identified: (1) the clinician's professional manners, (2) the image formed of the patient and loved ones, (3) the human aspect of being a clinician, (4) the multidisciplinary collaboration, and (5) the contextual preconditions. Most studies seemed focused on communication about treatment decision making. Conclusion A patient-centered approach seems lacking when clinicians discuss the patient's VWN, since most studies focused on treatment decision making rather than on the exploration and monitoring of the multidimensional well-being of patients. This review emphasizes the need for the development and integration of a systematic approach to explore and monitor the patients' VWN to improve appropriate palliative care in hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sita de Vries
- Center of Expertise in Palliative Care, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, P.O. Box 85500, Utrecht 3508 GA, The Netherlands
| | - Mary-Joanne Verhoef
- Center of Expertise in Palliative Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sigrid Cornelia Johanna Maria Vervoort
- Department of General Practice and Nursing Science, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Yvette Milene van der Linden
- Center of Expertise in Palliative Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- The Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Everlien de Graaf
- Center of Expertise in Palliative Care, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Islam Z, Pollock K, Patterson A, Hanjari M, Wallace L, Mururajani I, Conroy S, Faull C. Thinking ahead about medical treatments in advanced illness: a qualitative study of barriers and enablers in end-of-life care planning with patients and families from ethnically diverse backgrounds. HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE DELIVERY RESEARCH 2023; 11:1-135. [PMID: 37464868 DOI: 10.3310/jvfw4781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Background This study explored whether or not, and how, terminally ill patients from ethnically diverse backgrounds and their family caregivers think ahead about deterioration and dying, and explored their engagement with health-care professionals in end-of-life care planning. Objective The aim was to address the question, what are the barriers to and enablers of ethnically diverse patients, family caregivers and health-care professionals engaging in end-of-life care planning? Design This was a qualitative study comprising 18 longitudinal patient-centred case studies, interviews with 19 bereaved family caregivers and 50 public and professional stakeholder responses to the findings. Setting The study was set in Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire in the UK. Results Key barriers - the predominant stance of patients was to live with hope, considering the future only in terms of practical matters (wills and funerals), rather than the business of dying. For some, planning ahead was counter to their faith. Health-care professionals seemed to feature little in people's lives. Some participants indicated a lack of trust and experienced a disjointed system, devoid of due regard for them. However, religious and cultural mores were of great importance to many, and there were anxieties about how the system valued and enabled these. Family duty and community expectations were foregrounded in some accounts and concern about being in the (un)care of strangers was common. Key enablers - effective communication with trusted individuals, which enables patients to feel known and that their faith, family and community life are valued. Health-care professionals getting to 'know' the person is key. Stakeholder responses highlighted the need for development of Health-care professionals' confidence, skills and training, Using stories based on the study findings was seen as an effective way to support this. A number of behavioural change techniques were also identified. Limitations It was attempted to include a broad ethnic diversity in the sample, but the authors acknowledge that not all groups could be included. Conclusions What constitutes good end-of-life care is influenced by the intersectionality of diverse factors, including beliefs and culture. All people desire personalised, compassionate and holistic end-of-life care, and the current frameworks for good palliative care support this. However, health-care professionals need additional skills to navigate complex, sensitive communication and enquire about aspects of people's lives that may be unfamiliar. The challenge for health-care professionals and services is the delivery of holistic care and the range of skills that are required to do this. Future work Priorities for future research: How can health professionals identify if/when a patient is 'ready' for discussions about deterioration and dying? How can discussions about uncertain recovery and the need for decisions about treatment, especially resuscitation, be most effectively conducted in a crisis? How can professionals recognise and respond to the diversity of faith and cultural practices, and the heterogeneity between individuals of beliefs and preferences relating to the end of life? How can conversations be most effectively conducted when translation is required to enhance patient understanding? Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health and Social Care Delivery Research programme and will be published in full in Health and Social Care Delivery Research; Vol. 11, No. X. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoebia Islam
- Leicestershire and Rutland Organisation for the Relief of Suffering (LOROS) Hospice, Leicester, UK
| | - Kristian Pollock
- School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Anne Patterson
- Leicestershire and Rutland Organisation for the Relief of Suffering (LOROS) Hospice, Leicester, UK
| | - Matilda Hanjari
- Leicestershire and Rutland Organisation for the Relief of Suffering (LOROS) Hospice, Leicester, UK
| | - Louise Wallace
- Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - Irfhan Mururajani
- Leicestershire and Rutland Organisation for the Relief of Suffering (LOROS) Hospice, Leicester, UK
| | - Simon Conroy
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Christina Faull
- Leicestershire and Rutland Organisation for the Relief of Suffering (LOROS) Hospice, Leicester, UK
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Muacevic A, Adler JR, Turcotte S, Laflamme B, Heyland DK, Leblanc A. A Quality Assessment of Goals of Care Forms in a Sample of Older Patients in Various Care Settings in Quebec, Canada. Cureus 2023; 15:e33872. [PMID: 36819330 PMCID: PMC9933571 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.33872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to assess the completion and content of the Goals of Care (GOC) forms in three care settings in the province of Quebec, Canada. METHODS This is a retrospective, cross-sectional, mixed methods analysis of data extracted from the charts and GOC forms of patients aged over 65 who received services during the year 2018 in one of the three following care settings: (i) long-term care facility, (ii) acute care hospital, and (iii) home support services of a regional healthcare and social services center. The completion of the GOC form includes six essential sections. If one or more of the sections were not fulfilled, we considered the form incomplete. We used descriptive analysis to look at the information in the six sections and a thematic analysis to assess the information in an open-ended section. RESULTS We audited 589 charts, of which 67% contained a GOC form and only 96 (16%) a completed one. The most popular goal of care was ensuring comfort as a priority over prolonging life, selected on 40% of the forms. The majority of the included patients (89%) did not want cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to be attempted in the case of cardiac arrest. There was no indication of the use of advance medical directives, and scarce indication of the use of former GOC forms (18%) and living wills (2%) in completing the forms. Comments were included in 65% of the open-ended sections. The most frequent themes related to the use or non-use of interventions and to potential transfers to the hospital or to an intensive care unit. We found that the open-ended section was used on 24 forms to specify a different goal of care applicable in the event of further health deterioration. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS A significant proportion of charts (84%) did not contain a completed GOC form; key aspects of advance care planning were rarely considered in establishing the patient's goal of care, and the form itself lacked utility given the frequency and nature of qualitative comments. As a final product of serious illness communication and decision-making, our findings suggest that there are significant quality issues, that patients are at risk of intensification of care at the end of life, and that more needs to be done to improve serious illness decision-making and documentation.
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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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Moon F, Mooney C, McDermott F, Miller A, Poon P. Bereaved families' experiences of end-of-life decision making for general medicine patients. BMJ Support Palliat Care 2021:bmjspcare-2020-002743. [PMID: 33722814 DOI: 10.1136/bmjspcare-2020-002743] [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: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Family involvement in decision making for hospitalised patients is associated with improved end-of-life care. Yet, these discussions can be challenging for physicians and families and associated with distress, confusion and conflict. There is a need to understand how best to support families involved in decisions regarding the transition from active to palliative treatment in hospital settings. AIM To explore bereaved families' experiences of end-of-life decision making for general medicine patients. DESIGN A qualitative exploratory study framed by social constructionism using semistructured interviews and thematic analysis. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS The general medicine units of one large public hospital in Melbourne, Australia. We recruited 28 bereaved family members of patients who had received end-of-life care. FINDINGS Patients and families depended on physicians to explain clinical complexity and treatment beneficence; however, trust in medical judgement was mediated by participant's own interpretations of clinical progress. Families sought to be respected as advocates and experienced distress if physicians disregarded their perspectives and insight concerning patient preferences. Ideally, families supported patients to express their preferences to physicians. Otherwise, families contextualised treatment decisions through their knowledge of patient's values and quality of life. Families often felt burdened by or excluded from medical decision making and experienced distress and confusion regarding their rights to request or refuse treatment. CONCLUSION Our study highlights how families contribute to decision making to ensure end-of-life care treatments reflect patient preferences. Physicians can ease families' distress around treatment withdrawal by providing a meaningful explanation of complex clinical issues, clarifying decision-making roles and acknowledge families' desire to protect and advocate for their loved one.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicity Moon
- Department of Social Work, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Social Work, Monash University, Caulfield East, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christine Mooney
- Department of Supportive & Palliative Care, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Fiona McDermott
- Department of Social Work, Monash University, Caulfield East, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alistair Miller
- Department of General Medicine, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter Poon
- Department of Supportive & Palliative Care, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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Meeker MA, White D. Transition to comfort-focused care: Moral agency of acute care nurses. Nurs Ethics 2020; 28:529-542. [PMID: 34085584 DOI: 10.1177/0969733020952128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Moving into the last phase of life comprises a developmental transition with specific needs and risks. Facilitating transitions is an important component of the work of nurses. When curative interventions are no longer helpful, nurses enact key roles in caring for patients and families. AIM The aim of this study was to examine the experiences of registered nurses in acute care settings as they worked with patients and families to facilitate transition to comfort-focused care. RESEARCH DESIGN Sampling, data collection, and data analysis were guided by constructivist grounded theory, chosen because of its strength in identifying and explicating social processes. PARTICIPANTS AND CONTEXT A purposeful sample of 26 registered nurses working in acute care hospitals in one community in the northeastern United States participated in this study through semi-structured interviews. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS The study received approval from the university's Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects. Participants provided informed consent. FINDINGS Nurses facilitated transition to comfort-focused care by enacting their moral commitments to patients and families. They focused on building relationships, honoring patient self-determination, and maintaining respect for personhood. In this context, they discerned a need for transition, opened a discussion, and used diverse strategies to facilitate achieving consensus on the part of patients, family members, and care providers. Regardless of how the process unfolded, nurses offered support throughout. DISCUSSION Achievement of consensus by all stakeholders is critical in the transition to comfort-focused care. This study deepens our understanding of how nurses as moral agents utilize specific strategies to assist progress toward consensus. It also offers an example of recognizing the moral agency of nurses through listening to their voices. CONCLUSION Increased understanding of effective nursing strategies for facilitating transition to comfort-focused care is essential for developing needed evidence for excellent care and strengthening end-of-life nursing education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Ann Meeker
- 12292University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, USA
| | - Dianne White
- 12292University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, USA
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Gerber K, Lemmon C, Williams S, Watt J, Panayiotou A, Batchelor F, Hayes B, Brijnath B. ‘There for me’: A qualitative study of family communication and decision-making in end-of-life care for older people. PROGRESS IN PALLIATIVE CARE 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/09699260.2020.1767437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Gerber
- Melbourne Ageing Research Collaboration, National Ageing Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Christel Lemmon
- Melbourne Ageing Research Collaboration, National Ageing Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sue Williams
- Melbourne Ageing Research Collaboration, National Ageing Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Anita Panayiotou
- Melbourne Ageing Research Collaboration, National Ageing Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Frances Batchelor
- Melbourne Ageing Research Collaboration, National Ageing Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Bianca Brijnath
- Melbourne Ageing Research Collaboration, National Ageing Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of General Practice, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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Canadian hospital nurses' roles in communication and decision-making about goals of care: An interpretive description of critical incidents. Appl Nurs Res 2017; 40:26-33. [PMID: 29579495 DOI: 10.1016/j.apnr.2017.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Revised: 11/25/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nurses in acute medical units are uniquely positioned to support goals of care communication. Further understanding of nurse and physician perceptions about hospital nurses' actual and possible roles was required to improve goals of care communication. OBJECTIVE To critically examine nurse and physician perceptions of the nurse's role in communication with seriously ill patients and their families. DESIGN We focus on the qualitative component of a mixed method study. We employed an interpretive descriptive approach informed by Flanagan's critical incident technique. SETTINGS Participants were recruited from the acute medical units at three tertiary care hospitals in three Canadian provinces. PARTICIPANTS Thirty participants provided interviews (10 from each site): 12 nurses, 9 staff physicians and 9 medical resident physicians. METHODS Participants' described "critical incidents" they considered as "excellent" or "poor" or "usual" practice. Interviews, were audiotaped and transcribed. Team-based analysis used constant comparison and triangulation to identify healthcare team members' roles in goals of care communication. RESULTS We identified two major themes from 120 critical incidents: 1) the ambiguous nature of the nurse's role in formal, physician-led, decision-making communication, and 2) embedded in care serious illness communication. Physicians understood nurses' supportive role in relation to their own communication practices that culminated in decisions about care; nurses' reported their roles were determined by unit routines, physician practices and preferences, and their self-confidence in supporting decision-making. Nurses described their unique role in facilitating informal and spontaneous communication with patients and families that was critical background work to physician-led goals of care communication. CONCLUSIONS Nurses and physicians had different understandings, practices and beliefs about goals of care communication The value of nurses embedded in care work is key to supporting the interprofessional team's work during formal goals of care communication.
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Kryworuchko J, Strachan PH, Nouvet E, Downar J, You JJ. Factors influencing communication and decision-making about life-sustaining technology during serious illness: a qualitative study. BMJ Open 2016; 6:e010451. [PMID: 27217281 PMCID: PMC4885276 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We aimed to identify factors influencing communication and decision-making, and to learn how physicians and nurses view their roles in deciding about the use of life-sustaining technology for seriously ill hospitalised patients and their families. DESIGN The qualitative study used Flanagan's critical incident technique to guide interpretive description of open-ended in-depth individual interviews. SETTING Participants were recruited from the medical wards at 3 Canadian hospitals. PARTICIPANTS Interviews were completed with 30 healthcare professionals (9 staff physicians, 9 residents and 12 nurses; aged 25-63 years; 73% female) involved in decisions about the care of seriously ill hospitalised patients and their families. MEASURES Participants described encounters with patients and families in which communication and decision-making about life-sustaining technology went particularly well and unwell (ie, critical incidents). We further explored their roles, context and challenges. Analysis proceeded using constant comparative methods to form themes independently and with the interprofessional research team. RESULTS We identified several key factors that influenced communication and decision-making about life-sustaining technology. The overarching factor was how those involved in such communication and decision-making (healthcare providers, patients and families) conceptualised the goals of medical practice. Additional key factors related to how preferences and decision-making were shaped through relationships, particularly how people worked toward 'making sense of the situation', how physicians and nurses approached the inherent and systemic tensions in achieving consensus with families, and how physicians and nurses conducted professional work within teams. Participants described incidents in which these key factors interacted in dynamic and unpredictable ways to influence decision-making for any particular patient and family. CONCLUSIONS A focus on more meaningful and productive dialogue with patients and families by (and between) each member of the healthcare team may improve decisions about life-sustaining technology. Work is needed to acknowledge and support the non-curative role of healthcare and build capacity for the interprofessional team to engage in effective decision-making discussions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Kryworuchko
- Nursing and Centre for Health Services and Policy Research, University of British Columbia, and Research Scientist, British Columbia Centre for Palliative Care, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - E Nouvet
- Humanitarian Health Care Ethics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - J Downar
- Divisions of Critical Care and Palliative Care, University of Toronto and University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - J J You
- Department of Medicine, Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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