Models of Palliative Care Delivery for Individuals with Cystic Fibrosis: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Evidence-Informed Consensus Guidelines

Validation of the Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Scale (IPOS) in adults with cystic fibrosis

BACKGROUND

A primary palliative care model for cystic fibrosis (CF) recommends using the Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Scale (IPOS) for screening. Validation of the IPOS is needed.

METHODS

This secondary analysis utilized baseline data from a multisite trial of the palliative care model, Improving Life with CF. Adults with CF completed the IPOS, the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale-CF (MSAS-CF), the CF Questionnaire-Revised (CFQ-R), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). IPOS structure was assessed using Cronbach α coefficients and a factor analysis. Construct validity was evaluated through bivariate relationships between IPOS scores and other questionnaire scores, and linear regressions assessing the extent to which the IPOS explains variance in quality-of-life domains.

RESULTS

The sample comprised 256 adults with complete IPOS data. α coefficients were .86 for the IPOS total score, .81 for the Physical Symptoms subscale, .79 for the Emotional Symptoms subscale, and .63 for the Communication/Practical Issues subscale. A two-component factor structure best aligned with the current subscales. IPOS scores were significantly associated with other measures; associations with MSAS-CF and CFQ-R subscales differentiated the IPOS Physical and Emotional subscales. The IPOS total score provided unique information about the variance in the CFQ-R Physical Functioning and Respiratory Symptoms domain scores.

CONCLUSIONS

In adults with CF, the IPOS has acceptable internal consistency and there is evidence of construct validity. These findings support adoption of the IPOS in the primary palliative care model for CF.

Perspectives from patients with chronic lung disease on a telehealth-facilitated integrated palliative care model: a qualitative content analysis study

BACKGROUND

Chronic lung disease affects nearly 37 million Americans and often results in significant quality of life impairment and healthcare burden. Despite guidelines calling for palliative care (PC) integration into pulmonary care as a vital part of chronic lung disease management, existing PC models have limited access and lack scalability. Use of telehealth to provide PC offers a potential solution to these barriers. This study explored perceptions of patients with chronic lung disease regarding a telehealth integrated palliative care (TIPC) model, with plans to use findings to inform development of an intervention protocol for future testing.

METHODS

For this qualitative study, we conducted semi-structured interviews between June 2021- December 2021 with patients with advanced chronic lung disease. Interviews explored experiences with chronic lung disease, understanding of PC, and perceived acceptability of the proposed model along with anticipated facilitators and barriers of the TIPC model. We analyzed findings with a content analysis approach.

RESULTS

We completed 20 interviews, with two that included both a patient and caregiver together due to patient preference. Perceptions were primarily related to three categories: burden of chronic lung disease, pre-conceived understanding of PC, and perspective on the proposed TIPC model. Analysis revealed a high level of disease burden related to chronic lung disease and its impact on day-to-day functioning. Although PC was not well understood, the TIPC model using a shared care planning approach via telehealth was seen by most as an acceptable addition to their chronic lung disease care.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings emphasize the need for a patient-centered, shared care planning approach in chronic lung disease. The TIPC model may be one option that may be acceptable to individuals with chronic lung disease. Future work includes using findings to refine our TIPC model and conducting pilot testing to assess acceptability and utility of the model.

"We'll deal with it as it comes": A Qualitative Analysis of Romantic Partners' Dyadic Coping in Cystic Fibrosis

Background

Although cystic fibrosis (CF) is a progressive, life-limiting, genetic disease, recent advances have extended survival, allowing persons with CF the time and physical and mental health to form romantic relationships. Previous studies have shown the importance of dyadic coping to positive psychosocial functioning and relationship satisfaction for people with serious chronic illness and their romantic partners, but little work has been done with persons with CF and their partners. The present study examines dyadic coping processes in persons with CF and their romantic partners.

Methods

Sixteen adults with moderate to severe CF (Mage=42.3, 43.8% identified as cisgender male, 56.2% identified as cisgender female) and their romantic partners (Mage=43.8, 56.3% identified as cisgender male, 43.7% identified as cisgender female) participated in individual semi-structured interviews focused on topics related to quality of life, communication, and palliative care. We conducted a directed content analysis utilizing Berg and Upchurch's (2007) developmental-contextual theoretical model to examine dyadic coping processes in persons with CF and their romantic partners.

Results

Consistent with the developmental-contextual model of dyadic coping, couples described adapting to health and functional declines that occurred over time. Dyads were aligned in their appraisals of illness representation, illness ownership, and perspectives of illness as a shared stressor; they used shared coping mechanisms that included supportive and collaborative actions rather than uninvolved or controlling strategies.

Conclusions

We recommend family-based approaches to medical decision-making and goals of care conversations with persons with CF and their partners, aligning those approaches with supportive and collaborative coping configurations. This may improve psychosocial outcomes for patients and their partners.

Palliative care needs among outpatient adults with cystic fibrosis: Baseline data from the Improving Life with CF trial

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the burden of illness experienced by people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) since the advent of CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator therapies. Studies that characterize the nature of illness burden are needed to inform the development and implementation of palliative care programs that can serve this population and address quality of life concerns.

METHODS

Adults with CF treated at five U.S. CF centers were surveyed to obtain baseline data for the Improving Life with CF primary palliative care implementation trial. Consenting patients completed the Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Scale (IPOS), a multidimensional measure of unmet needs for palliative care. Sociodemographic and clinical information was also obtained. The associations among these variables were examined through bivariate and multivariable analyses.

RESULTS

Among 256 adults, the most distressing symptoms included not feeling "at peace", communication difficulties with family/friends, anxiety over illness or its treatment, and a lack of energy. In the multivariable analyses, CFTR modulator use was associated with lower IPOS total and physical symptoms scores; female sex and increased hospitalizations were associated with higher scores. Increased age and history of distal intestinal obstructive syndrome were associated with higher IPOS physical symptoms scores.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings illuminate the nature of illness burden for pwCF in the era of CFTR modulator therapies. Although illness burden is positively affected by modulator therapy, there is a continuing need for palliative care to address physical, emotional, and spiritual distress, and the communication and practical needs experienced by adults with CF.

Clinician perspectives on barriers and solutions to symptom management in cystic fibrosis

People living with cystic fibrosis (PLwCF) experience high symptom burden. 146 clinicians completed online surveys regarding barriers and solutions to symptom management between September and October 2020. The surveys contained both closed-ended and free-text entries. The symptom management specialists that CF clinicians most wished to consult included mental health (88, 65%), palliative care (59, 41%), and pain specialists (48, 33%). Barriers to symptom management included concerns about controlled substances prescribed for symptom control causing addiction and precluding transplantation, a lack of trust and collaboration among clinical specialties, a lack of symptom management specialists with CF expertise, and a worry about the affordability of specialist-level symptom management care. Potential solutions included non-pharmacological approaches, expanding access to affordable specialist symptom management care, the creation of clinical care guidelines for symptom management in CF, and having CF clinicians and symptom management specialists work alongside each other in CF clinic to build interdisciplinary trust and education.

The Lived Experience of African American Persons with Cystic Fibrosis

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a rare genetic disease affecting approximately 30,000 people in the United States (US). African American persons with CF are even rarer, comprising approximately 5% of this population. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of African American persons with CF to identify potential disparities in health care. Methods: Descriptive phenomenology was used to explore lived experiences of African American persons with CF over age 18 recruited from CF Foundation-accredited Centers in the US, CF-specific social media, and via snowball sampling. Study data was obtained through telephone interviews that were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using Colaizzi's method of thematic analysis. Results: Six men and six women (ages 23-45) completed the study. Interviews revealed three themes: (1) Accepting a Diagnosis of CF; (2) Desiring a Normal Life while Living with an Invisible Disease; and 3) A Slippery Slope of Subtle Racism. Each theme had 2-3 subthemes. Conclusions: It is critical to explore the unique challenges faced by African American persons with CF in order to develop interventions that improve their daily lives and create better futures. Implications for Practice: Findings highlight the unique challenges faced by underrepresented groups with CF and the need to address health inequities to improve care delivery.

Addressing Symptom Burden and Palliative Care Needs in Cystic Fibrosis: A Narrative Review of the Literature

Among people with cystic fibrosis (CF), illness burden is multifaceted, and symptoms may fluctuate in intensity across a lifespan. Caregivers of people with CF may also experience distressing symptoms. Recent developments in CF care, including the availability of highly effective modulator therapies (HEMTs) and new palliative care guidelines promoting palliative care screening may help alleviate symptoms. The objective of this review was to present a narrative view of the recent literature on symptom burden in CF, new screening approaches informed by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) palliative care guidelines, and early data from studies examining the impact of HEMTs on CF symptom burden. A review of the relevant literature was conducted using Google Scholar and PubMed. Included articles covered approaches to burden assessment in CF and other chronic illnesses, epidemiology of CF symptom burden, the impact of HEMTs on symptom burden, and the CFF palliative care guidelines. A primary palliative care model implementing the CFF guidelines was also described. Results of this review show that while recent developments in CF care have led to a reduction in physical symptoms, mental health symptoms remain prevalent. Ongoing screening and triage can ensure that physical symptoms, psychological symptoms, social needs, practical problems, and communication concerns are addressed by care teams.

Embedded Specialist Palliative Care in Cystic Fibrosis: Results of a Randomized Feasibility Clinical Trial

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a progressive genetic disease characterized by multisystem symptom burden. Specialist palliative care (PC), as a model of care, has been shown to be effective in improving quality of life and reducing symptom burden in other conditions, but has not been tested in CF. Objectives: To develop and test the feasibility and acceptability of a specialist PC intervention embedded within an outpatient CF clinic. Design: Single-site, equal-allocation randomized pilot study comparing usual care with addition of four protocolized quarterly visits with a PC nurse practitioner. Participants: Adults with CF age ≥18 years with any of the following: FEV1% predicted ≤50, ≥2 CF-related hospitalizations in the past 12 months, supplemental oxygen use, or noninvasive mechanical ventilation use, and moderate-or-greater severity of any symptoms on the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale. Measurements: Randomization rate, intervention visit completion, data completements, participant ratings of intervention acceptability and benefit, and intervention delivery fidelity. Results: We randomized 50 adults with CF of 65 approached (77% randomization rate) to intervention (n = 25) or usual care (n = 25), mean age 38, baseline mean FEV1% predicted 41.8 (usual care), and 41.2 (intervention). No participants withdrew, five were lost to follow-up, and two died (88% retention). In the intervention group, 23 of 25 completed all study visits; 94% stated the intervention was not burdensome, and 97.6% would recommend the intervention to others with CF. More than 90% of study visits addressed topics prescribed by intervention manual. Conclusions: Adding specialist PC to standard clinic visits for adults with CF is feasible and acceptable.

Managing Prognosis in Precision Medicine: Utility, Imagination, and Communication

Research on how physicians predict and communicate prognosis focuses primarily on end-of-life care. Unsurprisingly, as genomic technology gains traction as a prognostic tool, the focus has also been on terminality, with research focused on how genetic results may be used to terminate pregnancies or redirect care towards palliation for neonates. However, genomic results also have powerful impacts on how patients who live prepare for their futures. Genomic testing provides broad-reaching and early—albeit complex, uncertain, and shifting—prognostic information. In this essay, we argue that as genomic testing occurs earlier and increasingly in a screening context, researchers and clinicians must strive to understand and manage the prognostic implications of results. While our understanding of the psychosocial and communicational aspects of prognosis in symptomatic populations is incomplete, it has progressed further than our understanding in a screening context and therefore provides useful lessons and feasible opportunities for further research. By providing an interdisciplinary and inter-specialty perspective on the psychosocial and communicational aspects of prognosis in genetics, we discuss prognostication with respect to genetics from the neonatal period through adulthood, highlighting medical specialties and patient populations that are especially informative for considering the longitudinal management of prognostic information in genomic medicine.

Palliative Care Across the Life Span for Children With Heart Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

AIM

This summary from the American Heart Association provides guidance for the provision of primary and subspecialty palliative care in pediatric congenital and acquired heart disease.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted from January 2010 to December 2021. Seminal articles published before January 2010 were also included in the review. Human subject studies and systematic reviews published in English in PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the Cochrane Collaboration were included. Structure: Although survival for pediatric congenital and acquired heart disease has tremendously improved in recent decades, morbidity and mortality risks remain for a subset of young people with heart disease, necessitating a role for palliative care. This scientific statement provides an evidence-based approach to the provision of primary and specialty palliative care for children with heart disease. Primary and specialty palliative care specific to pediatric heart disease is defined, and triggers for palliative care are outlined. Palliative care training in pediatric cardiology; diversity, equity, and inclusion considerations; and future research directions are discussed.

Development of a Cystic Fibrosis Primary Palliative Care Intervention: Qualitative Analysis of Patient and Family Caregiver Preferences

To prevent or mitigate chronic illness burden, people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) and their family caregivers need primary (generalist-level) palliative care from the time of diagnosis forward. We used qualitative methods to explore their preferences about a screening-and-triage model ("Improving Life with CF") developed to standardize this care. We purposively sampled and interviewed 14 pwCF and caregivers from 5 Improving Life with CF study sites. Thematic analysis was guided by a priori codes using the National Consensus Project's Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care. Participants included 7 adults and 2 adolescents with CF (3 with advanced disease), 4 parents, 1 partner (7 women; 5 people of color). Few were familiar with palliative care. Illness burden was described in multiple domains, including physical (e.g., dyspnea, pain), psychological (e.g., anxiety), and social (e.g., family well-being; impact on work/school). Most preferred survey-based screening with care coordination by the CF team. Preferences for screening approaches varied. PwCF and caregivers experience illness burden and are receptive to a CF-team delivered primary palliative care screening-and-triage model with flexible processes.

Transitions of Care in Cystic Fibrosis

The development of formal transition models emerged to reduce variability in care, including cystic fibrosis (CF) responsibility, independence, self-care, and education (RISE), which provides a standardized transition program, including knowledge assessments, self-management checklists, and milestones for people with CF. Despite these interventions, the current landscape of health care transition (HCT) remains suboptimal, and additional focused attention on HCT is necessary. Standardization of assessment tools to gauge the efficacy of transfer from pediatric to adult care is a high priority. Such tools should incorporate both clinical and patient-centered outcomes to provide a comprehensive picture of progress and deficiencies of the HCT process.

Pediatric and Adult Cardiologists' and Respirologists' Referral Practices to Palliative Care

CONTEXT

Children and adults with advanced cardiac or respiratory disease may benefit from specialized palliative care (SPC), but there has been little SPC research in this area.

OBJECTIVES

To explore pediatric cardiologists' and respirologists' (pediatric clinicians) beliefs about and referral practices to SPC and compare these results to adult cardiologists and respirologists (adult clinicians).

METHODS

Pediatric and adult clinicians were sent a survey exploring SPC referral practices and beliefs. Responses were summarized with descriptive statistics. Pediatric and adult clinicians' responses were compared using Pearson's chi-square test.

RESULTS

The response rate was 56% (989/1759); 9% (87/989) were pediatric clinicians. Pediatric clinicians were more likely than adult clinicians to be female, work in an academic center, and experience fewer patient deaths (P<0.001). Pediatric clinicians reported better access to SPC clinical nurse specialists, spiritual care specialists and bereavement counselors (P<0.001), while adult clinicians reported better access to palliative care units (P<0.001). Pediatric clinicians referred to SPC earlier, while adult clinicians tended to refer after disease directed therapies were stopped (P<0.001). More than half of all clinicians felt patients had negative perceptions of the phrase "palliative care". Although most clinicians were satisfied with SPC quality (73-82%), fewer adult clinicians were satisfied with SPC availability (74 vs. 47%; P<0.001). Fewer pediatric clinicians felt that SPC prioritized oncology patients (13 vs. 53%; P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

There are important differences between pediatric and adult clinicians' beliefs about and referral practices to SPC. This may reflect unique features of pediatric diseases, provider characteristics, care philosophies, or service availability.

Integrating specialist palliative care to improve care and reduce suffering: cystic fibrosis (InSPIRe:CF) - study protocol for a multicentre randomised clinical trial

Introduction

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-limiting genetic disorder estimated to affect more than 160 000 individuals and their families worldwide. People living with CF commonly experience significant physical and emotional symptom burdens, disruptions to social roles and complex treatment decision making. While palliative care (PC) interventions have been shown to relieve many such burdens in other serious illnesses, no rigorous evidence exists for palliative care in CF. Thus, this study aims to compare the effect of specialist palliative care plus usual CF care vs usual CF care alone on patient quality of life.

Methods and analysis

This is a five-site, two-arm, partially masked, randomised superiority clinical trial. 264 adults with CF will be randomly assigned to usual CF care or usual CF care plus a longitudinal palliative care intervention delivered by a palliative care specialist. The trial’s primary outcome is patient quality of life (measured with the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Palliative care instrument). Secondary outcomes include symptom burden, satisfaction with care and healthcare utilisation. Outcomes will be measured at 12 months (primary endpoint) and 15 months (secondary endpoint). In addition, we will conduct qualitative interviews with patient participants, caregivers, and palliative care and CF care team members to explore perceptions of the intervention’s impact and barriers and facilitators to dissemination.

Ethics and dissemination

Human subjects research ethics approval was obtained from all participating sites, and all study participants gave informed consent. We will publish the results of this trial in a peer-reviewed journal.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN53323164.

Palliative Care in Pediatric Pulmonology

Children with End Stage Lung Disease (ESLD) are part of the growing population of individuals with life-limiting conditions of childhood. These patients present with a diverse set of pulmonary, cardiovascular, neuromuscular, and developmental conditions. This paper first examines five cases of children with cystic fibrosis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, neuromuscular disease, pulmonary hypertension, and lung transplantation from Texas Children’s Hospital. We discuss the expected clinical course of each condition, then review the integration of primary and specialized palliative care into the management of each diagnosis. This paper then reviews the management of two children with end staged lung disease at Hospital Civil de Guadalajara, providing an additional perspective for approaching palliative care in low-income countries.

Development of an Advance Care Planning Protocol in a Cystic Fibrosis Outpatient Clinic

Background: Advance care planning (ACP) is recommended for all patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), yet clear implementation guidelines do not exist. Methods: The University of North Carolina Adult CF Care Team developed a process to implement semistructured multidisciplinary outpatient ACP meetings as routine care for patients with CF. Premeeting and post-meeting surveys were used to elicit patients' attitudes toward ACP. Results: Twenty-seven adults with CF completed a face-to-face ACP meeting, and 13 completed both surveys. Following the multidisciplinary ACP meeting, overall scores for understanding of ACP topics improved by 4.5 points (p = 0.003). Conclusion: We successfully implemented sustainable ACP meetings for adults with CF and found increased comfort with ACP and documentation of wishes after ACP meetings. It is important for CF care providers to meet the needs of this patient population by ensuring that ACP is in place before crisis situations.

Pulmonary Complications in Cystic Fibrosis: Past, Present, and Future

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive genetic condition with multisystemic disease manifestations, the most prominent of which occur in the respiratory system. Despite significant developments in disease understanding and therapeutics, each contributing to improved lung function and survival in patients with CF, several pulmonary complications, including pneumothorax, massive hemoptysis, and respiratory failure, continue to occur. In this review, we briefly describe each of these complications and their management and discuss how they impact the care and disease trajectory of individuals in whom they occur. Finally, we discuss the evolving role that palliative care and CF transmembrane conductance regular modulator therapies play in the natural disease course and care of patients with CF.

Assessing Practices, Beliefs, and Attitudes about Palliative Care among People with Cystic Fibrosis, Their Caregivers, and Clinicians: Results of a Content Analysis

Background: Individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) experience symptoms affecting quality of life and may benefit from palliative care (PC). Objectives: To present results of content analysis from open-ended survey questions assessing knowledge and experiences with PC among CF stakeholders. Design, Setting, Subjects: Online surveys were sent to CF stakeholders through CF-specific listservs predominantly in the United States. Measurements: Responses to five open-ended questions about CF PC-delivery, health care provider training, and lung transplant-underwent content analysis. Responses were coded using NVivo12 Software™. Results: Forty-eight CF adults, 59 caregivers, and 229 providers responded to the open-ended survey questions. Analysis showed 5 primary categories related to CF PC: (1) stakeholder perceptions of PC for CF, (2) delivering PC to people with CF, (3) conversations about PC for CF, (4) perceptions that PC services are underutilized for people with CF, and (5) beliefs that PC services are critical for people with CF considering or pursuing lung transplant. Analysis showed variation among and within groups in defining PC for CF, when, and how to deliver it. Many respondents felt PC was underutilized in CF. Most saw PC as particularly important when considering lung transplant, managing anxiety around transplant, and for goals of care discussions. Some believed PC and lung transplant were mutually exclusive. Conclusion: Respondents felt PC is underutilized for CF, and that people with CF may miss out on the benefits of PC. Among stakeholders, respondents felt people with CF would benefit from access to primary and secondary PC services.