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Rowe Ferrara M, Chapman SA. Rural Patients' Experiences with Synchronous Video Telehealth in the United States: A Scoping Review. Telemed J E Health 2024; 30:1357-1377. [PMID: 38265694 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2023.0410] [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: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Telehealth can help increase rural health care access. To ensure this modality is accessible for rural patients, it is necessary to understand rural patients' experiences with telehealth. Objectives of this scoping review were to explore how rural patients' telehealth experiences have been measured, assess relevant research, and describe rural telehealth patient experiences. Methods: We searched five databases for articles published from 2016 through 2022. Primary research reports assessing rural adult patient experiences with synchronous video telehealth in the United States in any clinical area were included. Data collected pertained to study characteristics and patient experience assessment characteristics and outcomes. Quality of included studies was assessed using the Quality Assessment with Diverse Studies tool. Review findings were presented in a narrative synthesis. Results: There were 740 articles identified for screening, and 24 met review inclusion criteria. Most studies (70%, n = 16) assessed rural telehealth patient experience using questionnaires; studies employed interviews (n = 11) alone or in combination with surveys. The majority of surveys were study developed and not validated. Quantitative patient experience outcomes fell under categories of patient satisfaction, telehealth care characteristics, patient-provider rapport, technology elements, and access. Qualitative themes were most often presented as telehealth benefits or facilitators, and drawbacks or barriers. Conclusions: Available research indicates positive patient experiences with rural telehealth services. However, study weaknesses limit generalizability of findings. Future research should apply established definitions for participant rurality and clearly group samples by rurality. Efforts should be made to use validated telehealth patient experience measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan Rowe Ferrara
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Susan A Chapman
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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de Almeida OAE, de Lima MEF, Santos WS, Silva BLM. Telehealth strategies in the care of people with chronic kidney disease: integrative review. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem 2023; 31:e4049. [PMID: 38055586 PMCID: PMC10695288 DOI: 10.1590/1518-8345.6824.4049] [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: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE to evaluate the evidence about telehealth strategies in caring for people with chronic kidney disease. METHOD integrative literature review. The search for primary studies was carried out in six databases: PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, CINAHL, LILACS, and Scopus. The sample consisted of 48 articles published between 2000 and 2021. The telehealth strategy was applied by a multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, nutritionis, and social workers. The type of study, country, strategy applied, setting, population, and professional were extracted from the articles. The studies were selected by reading the title and abstract (phase 1) and then reading them in full (phase 2), categorizing them by telehealth strategy. The results were summarized descriptively and the studies were classified according to their level of evidence. RESULTS the home was the most representative in dialysis and conservative treatment. Six categories of telehealth strategies were identified: remote monitoring devices, teleconsultation, digital platforms, apps, multimodality strategies, and telephone contact. CONCLUSION using these strategies for the care of people with chronic kidney disease presents different forms and implementations, being feasible for the renal population at any stage of the disease and applicable by different health professionals with an emphasis on the home environment. The evidence shows that telehealth favors lower cost, accessibility to remote locations, and better monitoring of dialysis with positive resul in symptom control, risk reduction, and patient training. BACKGROUND Telehealth in chronic kidney disease care is feasible and promising. (2) Telehealth is feasible for people at all stages of CKD. (3) Health promotion and monitoring were the most applied by telehealth. (4) Remote care can reduce costs, emergencies, and contac with the clinic. (5) Nurses mainly used telephone contact and teleconferencing.
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Fasolino T, Koci A, Huggins J, Lindell K. A Rapid Review of Uses and Outcomes of Telehealth Care in Rural and Remote Regions in the United States. J Hosp Palliat Nurs 2023; 25:239-248. [PMID: 37525370 DOI: 10.1097/njh.0000000000000964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
As telehealth expands and becomes an increasingly important provision of palliative care and hospice services, the understanding of the uses and outcomes of this care delivery platform in rural communities is warranted. This rapid review aims to highlight the practice, policy, and research implications of telehealth in rural regions. Using a systematic approach for accessing and synthesizing available publications, this review included 22 articles published between January 2020 and January 2023. Telehealth was used with adult and pediatric populations diagnosed with serious illnesses. Acceptance of this type of care delivery was noted in adults and children, but not all found telehealth a valuable mechanism for care. Telehealth services included but were not limited to direct communication between the provider and the patient/caregiver, medication management, and a peer-to-peer consultant role for rural palliative care and hospice teams. Of those studies addressing provider-centered outcomes, noise level, interruptions, missed appointments, and challenges with providing emotional support were reported. Organizational barriers, such as the lack of financial support, were noted for pediatric hospices. Individuals living in rural communities require more frequent, immediate, and specialized attention over their illness trajectory. Practice, policy, and research implications are identified to consider the next steps for telehealth delivery of palliative care.
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Tarbi EC, Durieux BN, Brain JM, Kwok A, Umeton R, Samineni S, Tulsky JA, Lindvall C. Measuring Palliative Care Communication via Telehealth: A Pilot Study. J Pain Symptom Manage 2023; 66:e155-e161. [PMID: 37037343 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2023.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Elise C Tarbi
- Department of Nursing (E.C.T.), University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA; Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care (E.C.T., B.N.D., J.M.B., S.S., J.A.T., C.L.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
| | - Brigitte N Durieux
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care (E.C.T., B.N.D., J.M.B., S.S., J.A.T., C.L.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jessie M Brain
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care (E.C.T., B.N.D., J.M.B., S.S., J.A.T., C.L.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Division of Palliative Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital (J.M.B., J.A.T., C.L.), Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anne Kwok
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care (E.C.T., B.N.D., J.M.B., S.S., J.A.T., C.L.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Renato Umeton
- Department of Informatics & Analytics (R.U.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Soujanya Samineni
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care (E.C.T., B.N.D., J.M.B., S.S., J.A.T., C.L.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - James A Tulsky
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care (E.C.T., B.N.D., J.M.B., S.S., J.A.T., C.L.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Division of Palliative Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital (J.M.B., J.A.T., C.L.), Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Harvard Medical School (J.A.T., C.L.), Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Charlotta Lindvall
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care (E.C.T., B.N.D., J.M.B., S.S., J.A.T., C.L.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Division of Palliative Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital (J.M.B., J.A.T., C.L.), Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Harvard Medical School (J.A.T., C.L.), Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Agbali RA, Balas EA, Beltrame F, Heboyan V, De Leo G. A review of questionnaires used for the assessment of telemedicine. J Telemed Telecare 2023:1357633X231166161. [PMID: 37032470 DOI: 10.1177/1357633x231166161] [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: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Telemedicine is the exchange of medical information from one site to another via electronic communications with the goal of improving a patient's clinical health status. Prior studies have identified the absence of a standardized assessment tool for evaluating telemedicine encounters. This study aims to collect and to analyze questionnaires used for the assessment of audiovisual telemedicine encounters from a patient perspective and aims to identify reasons driving the use of self-developed questionnaires. METHODS We conducted a systematic search in PubMed for studies that used survey questionnaires to assess synchronous audiovisual telemedicine encounters from 2016 to 2021. We categorized questionnaires used into validated and non-validated types, and for each of them, collected questions, response format, author, year, specialty, and country of publication. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION We analyzed a total of 71 articles. We found that only 16 studies used three validated questionnaires. The remaining 55 studies used non-validated questionnaires. Non-validated questionnaires had a high variability in length and used Likert scales, binary responses, multiple choice, and open-ended answers. We found only eight studies in which the authors gave a reason for resorting to designing their own questionnaires. This review reveals insufficient standardized survey questionnaires to be used for the assessment of audiovisual telemedicine encounters. Future research initiatives should focus on developing a standardized and validated instrument well accepted by researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael A Agbali
- College of Allied Health Sciences, 1421Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - E Andrew Balas
- College of Allied Health Sciences, 1421Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Francesco Beltrame
- Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics and Systems Engineering, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Vahe Heboyan
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Gianluca De Leo
- College of Allied Health Sciences, 1421Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
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Rosa WE, Lynch KA, Hadler RA, Mahoney C, Parker PA. "It Took Away and Stripped a Part of Myself": Clinician Distress and Recommendations for Future Telepalliative Care Delivery in the Cancer Context. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2023; 40:235-243. [PMID: 35574961 PMCID: PMC9663759 DOI: 10.1177/10499091221101883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the rapid expansion of telehealth service delivery. We explored the experiences of a multidisciplinary palliative care team delivering telepalliative care for oncology inpatients during a 10-weeks COVID-19 surge in New York City. METHODS/PARTICIPANTS We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with a targeted sample, employing a phenomenological approach with applied thematic text analysis. An interdisciplinary coding team iteratively coded data using a mix of a priori and inductive codes. Team members first independently reviewed each category, then met to reach consensus on recurring themes. The sample (n = 11) included a chaplain (n = 1), social worker (n = 1), pharmacist (n = 1), physicians (n = 3), physician assistant (n = 1), and nurse practitioners (n = 4). RESULTS Participants described multidimensional clinician distress as a primary experience in delivering telepalliative care during the COVD-19 surge, characterized by competing loyalties (e.g., institutional obligations, ethical obligations to patients, resentment and distrust of leadership) and feelings of disempowerment (e.g., guilt in providing subpar support, decisional regret, loss of identity as a provider). Participants provided explicit recommendations to improve telepalliative care delivery for acute oncology inpatients in the future. CONCLUSION Palliative care clinicians experienced personal and professional distress providing inpatient telepalliative care during this COVID-19 surge. Clinician strain providing telehealth services must be explored further as the pandemic and utilization of telehealth evolves. Telepalliative care planning must include attention to clinician wellbeing to sustain the workforce and promote team cohesion, and a focus on infrastructure needed to deliver high-quality, holistic care for oncology patients and their families when in-person consultation is impossible.
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Affiliation(s)
- William E. Rosa
- Communication Skills Training Program and Research Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kathleen A. Lynch
- Patient-Reported Outcomes, Community-Engagement, and Language Core, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rachel A. Hadler
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Cassidy Mahoney
- Communication Skills Training Program and Research Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Patricia A. Parker
- Communication Skills Training Program and Research Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
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Lundereng ED, Nes AAG, Holmen H, Winger A, Thygesen H, Jøranson N, Borge CR, Dajani O, Mariussen KL, Steindal SA. Health Care Professionals’ Experiences and Perspectives on Using Telehealth for Home-based Palliative Care: A Scoping Review (Preprint). J Med Internet Res 2022; 25:e43429. [PMID: 36989024 PMCID: PMC10131609 DOI: 10.2196/43429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telehealth seems feasible for use in home-based palliative care (HBPC). It may improve access to health care professionals (HCPs) at patients' homes, reduce hospital admissions, enhance patients' feelings of security and safety, and increase the time spent at home for patients in HBPC. HBPC requires the involvement of various HCPs such as nurses, physicians, allied health professionals, dietitians, psychologists, religious counselors, and social workers. Acceptance of the use of technology among HCPs is essential for the successful delivery of telehealth in practice. No scoping review has mapped the experiences and perspectives of HCPs regarding the use of telehealth in HBPC. OBJECTIVE The aim of this review was to systematically map published studies on HCPs' experiences and perspectives on the use of telehealth in HBPC. METHODS A scoping review was conducted using the methodology of Arksey and O'Malley. The review was reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews. A systematic search was performed in AMED, CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science for studies published in peer-reviewed journals between January 1, 2000, and August 23, 2022. The reference lists of the included papers were hand searched to identify additional studies. The inclusion criteria were (1) studies using qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods; (2) studies including HCPs using telehealth with patients in HBPC; (3) studies on HCPs' experiences and perspectives on the use of telehealth in HBPC; (4) studies published between January 1, 2000, and August 23, 2022; and (5) studies published in English, Portuguese, Norwegian, Danish, Swedish, or Spanish. Pairs of authors independently included studies and extracted data. The first 2 stages of thematic synthesis were used to thematically organize the data. RESULTS This scoping review included 29 papers from 28 studies. Four descriptive themes were identified: (1) easy to use but technological issues undermine confidence, (2) adds value but personal and organizational barriers challenge adoption, (3) potential to provide useful and meaningful patient-reported data, and (4) mutual trust as a prerequisite for interpersonal relationships. CONCLUSIONS Telehealth in HBPC seems to be easy to use and may improve the coordination of care, time efficiency, clinical assessments, and help build and enhance personal and professional relationships. However, the introduction of technology in HBPC is complex, as it may not align well with the overall aim of palliative care from HCPs' point of view. Further, changes in practice and requirements for HCPs may reduce motivation for the use of telehealth in HBPC. HCPs consider themselves to have central roles in implementing telehealth, and a lack of acceptance and motivation is a key barrier to telehealth adoption. Policy makers and telehealth developers should be aware of this potential barrier when developing or implementing new technology for use in HBPC. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) RR2-10.2196/33305.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias David Lundereng
- Lovisenberg Diaconal University College, Oslo, Norway
- European Palliative Care Research Centre (PRC), Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Heidi Holmen
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
- The Intervention Centre, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anette Winger
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Hilde Thygesen
- Faculty of Health Studies, VID Specialized University, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Prosthetics and Orthotics, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nina Jøranson
- Faculty of Health Studies, VID Specialized University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Christine Råheim Borge
- Research Department, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Olav Dajani
- European Palliative Care Research Centre (PRC), Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Simen A Steindal
- Lovisenberg Diaconal University College, Oslo, Norway
- Faculty of Health Studies, VID Specialized University, Oslo, Norway
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8
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Hutchinson RN, Anderson EC, Ruben MA, Manning N, John L, Daruvala A, Rizzo DM, Eppstein MJ, Gramling R, Han PK. A Formative Mixed-Methods Study of Emotional Responsiveness in Telepalliative Care. J Palliat Med 2022; 25:1258-1267. [PMID: 35417249 PMCID: PMC9347382 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2021.0589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: It is unknown whether telemedicine-delivered palliative care (tele-PC) supports emotionally responsive patient-clinician interactions. Objectives: We conducted a mixed-methods formative study at two academic medical centers in rural U.S. states to explore the acceptability, feasibility, and emotional responsiveness of tele-PC. Design: We assessed clinicians' emotional responsiveness through questionnaires, qualitative interviews, and video coding. Results: We completed 11 tele-PC consultations. Mean age was 71 years, 30% did not complete high school, 55% experienced at least moderate financial insecurity, and 2/3 rated their overall health poorly. All patients rated tele-PC as equal to, or better than, in-person PC at providing emotional support. There was a tendency toward higher positive and lower negative emotions following the consultation. Video coding identified 114 instances of patients expressing emotions, and clinicians detected and responded to 98% of these events. Conclusion: Tele-PC appears to support emotionally responsive patient-clinician interactions. A mixed-methods approach to evaluating tele-PC yields useful, complementary insights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca N. Hutchinson
- Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Portland, Maine, USA
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Maine Medical Center, Portland, Maine, USA
| | - Eric C. Anderson
- Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Portland, Maine, USA
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Noah Manning
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Liam John
- Department of Family Medicine, Larner College of Medicine, and University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Ava Daruvala
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Donna M. Rizzo
- College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Margaret J. Eppstein
- College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Robert Gramling
- Department of Family Medicine, Larner College of Medicine, and University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Paul K.J. Han
- Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Portland, Maine, USA
- Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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Cheung KL, Smoger S, Tamura MK, Stapleton RD, Rabinowitz T, LaMantia MA, Gramling R. Content of Tele-Palliative Care Consultations with Patients Receiving Dialysis. J Palliat Med 2022; 25:1208-1214. [PMID: 35254866 PMCID: PMC9347393 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2021.0539] [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: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Little is known about the content of communication in palliative care telehealth conversations in the dialysis population. Understanding the content and process of these conversations may lead to insights about how palliative care improves quality of life. Methods: We conducted a qualitative analysis of video recordings obtained during a pilot palliative teleconsultation program. We recruited patients receiving dialysis from five facilities affiliated with an academic medical center. Palliative care clinicians conducted teleconsultation using a wall-mounted screen with a camera mounted on a pole and positioned mid-screen in the line of sight to facilitate direct eye contact. Patients used an iPad that was attached to an IV pole positioned next to the dialysis chair. Conversations were coded using a preexisting framework of themes and content from the Serious Illness Conversation Guide (SICG) and revised Edmonton Symptom Assessment System-Renal. Results: We recruited 39 patients to undergo a telepalliative care consultation while receiving dialysis, 34 of whom completed the teleconsultation. Specialty palliative care clinicians (3 physicians and 1 nurse practitioner) conducted 35 visits with 34 patients. Median (interquartile range) duration of conversation was 42 (28-57) minutes. Most frequently discussed content included sources of strength (91%), critical abilities (88%), illness understanding (85%), fears and worries (85%), what family knows (85%), fatigue (77%), and pain (65%). Process features such as summarizing statements (85%) and making a recommendation (82%) were common, whereas connectional silence (56%), and emotion expression (21%) occurred less often. Conclusions: Unscripted palliative care conversations in outpatient dialysis units through telemedicine exhibited many domains recommended by the SICG, with less frequent discussion of symptoms. Emotion expression was uncommon for these conversations that occurred in an open setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine L. Cheung
- Divisions of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA.,Address correspondence to: Katharine L. Cheung, MD, PhD, Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Larner College of Medicine at The University of Vermont, 1 South Prospect Street, 2309 UHC Med-Nephrology, Burlington, VT 05401, USA
| | - Samantha Smoger
- Department of Biology, The University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Manjula Kurella Tamura
- Division of Nephrology, Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Renee D. Stapleton
- Divisions of Pulmonary and Critical Care, and Department of Medicine, Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Terry Rabinowitz
- Department of Psychiatry, Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Michael A. LaMantia
- Divisions of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Robert Gramling
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
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10
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Rosa WE, Lynch KA, Hadler RA, Mahoney C, Parker PA. "Doing palliative care with my hands tied behind my back": telepalliative care delivery for oncology inpatients during a COVID-19 surge. Transl Behav Med 2022; 12:816-824. [PMID: 35716077 PMCID: PMC9214169 DOI: 10.1093/tbm/ibac044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
New York City was a “global COVID-19 hotspot” in spring 2020. Many health teams rapidly transitioned to telehealth platforms. Little is known about the experiences of inpatient palliative care services who delivered telehealth services during the pandemic. This study was aimed to explore the experiences of an interdisciplinary palliative care team in meeting the holistic needs of oncology inpatients via telehealth over a 10-week period during the first COVID-19 surge. A targeted sample of interdisciplinary palliative specialists at an urban comprehensive cancer center participated in in-depth interviews that explored participants’ experiences delivering physical, psychosocial, and spiritual care via telehealth. An interdisciplinary coding team followed a rigorous thematic text analysis approach and met regularly to reach consensus on emerging themes. Eleven palliative specialists from six disciplines (chaplaincy, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, physician assistant, and social work) participated. Seventy-three percent reported not receiving telehealth training prior to COVID-19 and 64% were “not at all” or “somewhat comfortable” delivering telepalliative care. Several themes were identified, including the barriers related to telehealth, the impact of telehealth on the quality of relationships with patients, their families, and coworkers, and the changes in perceived self-efficacy of fulfilling job responsibilities. Telehealth use has increased significantly during COVID-19, requiring further evaluation of its utility. Participants reported both positive and negative inpatient telepalliative care experiences associated with various domains of professional functioning, such as communication, relationships with key stakeholders, and self-efficacy. Enhanced telehealth training and support must be improved to sustain the palliative workforce and promote high-quality patient and family care in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- William E Rosa
- Communication Skills Training Program and Research Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kathleen A Lynch
- Patient-Reported Outcomes, Community-Engagement, and Language Core, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rachel A Hadler
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Cassidy Mahoney
- Communication Skills Training Program and Research Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Patricia A Parker
- Communication Skills Training Program and Research Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
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11
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Hutchinson RN, Han PKJ, Lucas FL, Black A, Sawyer D, Fairfield K. Rural disparities in end-of-life care for patients with heart failure: Are they due to geography or socioeconomic disparity? J Rural Health 2021; 38:457-463. [PMID: 34043838 DOI: 10.1111/jrh.12597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The impact of rurality and socioeconomic deprivation on end-of-life (EOL) care for patients with heart failure (HF) is unknown. We analyzed claims to describe the prevalence and predictors of EOL health care utilization for patients dying with HF in a predominantly rural state. METHODS We used the MaineHealth Data Organization's All-Payer Claims Data to identify 15,168 patients ≥35 who died with HF between 2012 and 2017. The primary outcome was health care utilization during the last 180 days of life (EOL definition for this analysis), including emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, and hospice utilization. Patient characteristics analyzed included age, gender, comorbidities, area deprivation index (ADI), and rurality. FINDINGS Among 15,168 patients ≥35 who died with HF, 48% had ≥2 hospitalizations, 72% had ≥2 ED visit, 29% had an ICU stay, 2% initiated dialysis during EOL, and 64% received hospice. Rural patients were more likely to have an ICU admission and have ≥2 hospitalizations. Patients residing in areas with higher ADI were more likely to be hospitalized, admitted to the ICU, and started on dialysis. Both rural patients and those living in higher ADI areas were less likely to receive hospice. After multivariable adjustment, rurality and ADI were independently associated with a decreased likelihood of receiving hospice (OR 0.62 [95% CI: 0.53-0.72] for the most rural patients and OR 0.64 [95% CI: 0.57-0.72] for the highest ADI). CONCLUSION Both rurality and local area deprivation drive disparities in EOL care for patients dying with heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca N Hutchinson
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Maine Medical Center, Portland, Maine, USA.,Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Portland, Maine, USA
| | - Paul K J Han
- Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Portland, Maine, USA
| | - F Lee Lucas
- Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Portland, Maine, USA
| | - Adam Black
- Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Portland, Maine, USA
| | - Douglas Sawyer
- Division of Academic Affairs, Maine Medical Center, Portland, Maine, USA
| | - Kathleen Fairfield
- Department of Internal Medicine, Maine Medical Center, Portland, Maine, USA
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