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Pusa S, Baxter R, Andersson S, Fromme EK, Paladino J, Sandgren A. Core Competencies for Serious Illness Conversations: An Integrative Systematic Review. J Palliat Care 2024:8258597241245022. [PMID: 38557369 DOI: 10.1177/08258597241245022] [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: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Objective: The Serious Illness Care Program was developed to support goals and values discussions between seriously ill patients and their clinicians. The core competencies, that is, the essential clinical conversation skills that are described as requisite for effective serious illness conversations (SICs) in practice, have not yet been explicated. This integrative systematic review aimed to identify core competencies for SICs in the context of the Serious Illness Care Program. Methods: Articles published between January 2014 and March 2023 were identified in MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and PubMed databases. In total, 313 records underwent title and abstract screening, and 96 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. The articles were critically appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Guidelines, and data were analyzed using thematic synthesis. Results: In total, 53 articles were included. Clinicians' core competencies for SICs were described in 3 themes: conversation resources, intrapersonal capabilities, and interpersonal capabilities. Conversation resources included using the conversation guide as a tool, together with applying appropriate communication skills to support better communication. Intrapersonal capabilities included calibrating one's own attitudes and mindset as well as confidence and self-assurance to engage in SICs. Interpersonal capabilities focused on the clinician's ability to interact with patients and family members to foster a mutually trusting relationship, including empathetic communication with attention and adherence to patient and family members views, goals, needs, and preferences. Conclusions: Clinicians need to efficiently combine conversation resources with intrapersonal and interpersonal skills to successfully conduct and interact in SICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Pusa
- Center for Collaborative Palliative Care, Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden
- Department of Nursing, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Rebecca Baxter
- Center for Collaborative Palliative Care, Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden
- Department of Nursing, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Sofia Andersson
- Center for Collaborative Palliative Care, Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden
- Department of Nursing, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Erik K Fromme
- Ariadne Labs, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joanna Paladino
- Ariadne Labs, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anna Sandgren
- Center for Collaborative Palliative Care, Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden
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Baxter R, Pusa S, Andersson S, Fromme EK, Paladino J, Sandgren A. Core elements of serious illness conversations: an integrative systematic review. BMJ Support Palliat Care 2024:spcare-2023-004163. [PMID: 37369576 DOI: 10.1136/spcare-2023-004163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ariadne Labs' Serious Illness Care Program (SICP), inclusive of the Serious Illness Conversation Guide (SICG), has been adapted for use in a variety of settings and among diverse population groups. Explicating the core elements of serious illness conversations could support the inclusion or exclusion of certain components in future iterations of the programme and the guide. AIM This integrative systematic review aimed to identify and describe core elements of serious illness conversations in relation to the SICP and/or SICG. DESIGN Literature published between 1 January 2014 and 20 March 2023 was searched in MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and PubMed. All articles were evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Guidelines. Data were analysed with thematic synthesis. RESULTS A total of 64 articles met the inclusion criteria. Three themes were revealed: (1) serious illness conversations serve different functions that are reflected in how they are conveyed; (2) serious illness conversations endeavour to discover what matters to patients and (3) serious illness conversations seek to align what patients want in their life and care. CONCLUSIONS Core elements of serious illness conversations included explicating the intention, framing, expectations and directions for the conversation. This encompassed discussing current and possible trajectories with a view towards uncovering matters of importance to the patient as a person. Preferences and priorities could be used to inform future preparation and recommendations. Serious illness conversation elements could be adapted and altered depending on the intended purpose of the conversation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Baxter
- Center for Collaborative Palliative Care, Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University-Vaxjo Campus, Vaxjo, Sweden
| | - Susanna Pusa
- Center for Collaborative Palliative Care, Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University-Vaxjo Campus, Vaxjo, Sweden
| | - Sofia Andersson
- Center for Collaborative Palliative Care, Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University-Vaxjo Campus, Vaxjo, Sweden
| | - Erik K Fromme
- Ariadne Labs, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joanna Paladino
- Ariadne Labs, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anna Sandgren
- Center for Collaborative Palliative Care, Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University-Vaxjo Campus, Vaxjo, Sweden
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Ko J, Roze des Ordons A, Ballard M, Shenkier T, Simon JE, Fyles G, Lefresne S, Hawley P, Chen C, McKenzie M, Sanders J, Bernacki R. Exploring the value of structured narrative feedback within the Serious Illness Conversation-Evaluation Exercise (SIC-Ex): a qualitative analysis. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e078385. [PMID: 38286701 PMCID: PMC10826582 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-078385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The Serious Illness Conversation Guide (SICG) has emerged as a framework for conversations with patients with a serious illness diagnosis. This study reports on narratives generated from open-ended questions of a novel assessment tool, the Serious Illness Conversation-Evaluation Exercise (SIC-Ex), to assess resident-led conversations with patients in oncology outpatient clinics. DESIGN Qualitative study using template analysis. SETTING Three academic cancer centres in Canada. PARTICIPANTS 7 resident physicians (trainees), 7 patients from outpatient cancer clinics, 10 preceptors (raters) consisting of medical oncologists, palliative care physicians and radiation oncologists. INTERVENTIONS Each trainee conducted an SIC with a patient, which was videotaped. The raters watched the videos and evaluated each trainee using the novel SIC-Ex and the reference Calgary-Cambridge Guide (CCG) initially and again 3 months later. Two independent coders used template analysis to code the raters' narrative comments and identify themes/subthemes. OUTCOME MEASURES How narrative comments aligned with elements of the CCG and SICG. RESULTS Template analysis yielded four themes: adhering to SICG, engaging patients and family members, conversation management and being mindful of demeanour. Narrative comments identified numerous verbal and non-verbal elements essential to SICG. Some comments addressing general skills in engaging patients/families and managing the conversation (eg, setting agenda, introduction, planning, exploring, non-verbal communication) related to both the CCG and SICG, whereas other comments such as identifying substitute decision maker(s), affirming commitment and introducing Advance Care Planning were specific to the SICG. CONCLUSIONS Narrative comments generated by SIC-Ex provided detailed and nuanced insights into trainees' competence in SIC, beyond the numerical ratings of SIC-Ex and the general communication skills outlined in the CCG, and may contribute to a more fulsome assessment of SIC skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Ko
- Department of Medical Oncology, BC Cancer Agency Abbostford Centre, Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Amanda Roze des Ordons
- Department of Critical Care Medicine and Division of Palliative Medicine; Department of Anesthesiology, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Mark Ballard
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chilliwack General Hospital, Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Tamara Shenkier
- Department of Medical Oncology, BC Cancer Agency Vancouver Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jessica E Simon
- Department of Oncology and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Gillian Fyles
- Pain and Symptom Management/Palliative Care Program, BC Cancer Agency Sindi Ahluwalia Hawkins Centre for the Southern Interior, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Shilo Lefresne
- Department of Radiation Oncology, BC Cancer Agency Vancouver Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Philippa Hawley
- Department of Palliative Care, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Charlie Chen
- Department of Oncology and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Michael McKenzie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, BC Cancer Agency Vancouver Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Justin Sanders
- Department of Palliative Care, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Rachelle Bernacki
- Department of Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Andersson S, Granat L, Baxter R, Reimertz H, Modéus C, Pusa S, Sandgren A. Translation, Adaptation, and Validation of the Swedish Serious Illness Conversation Guide. J Palliat Care 2024; 39:21-28. [PMID: 37886797 PMCID: PMC10687820 DOI: 10.1177/08258597231210136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Objective: To translate and adapt the Serious Illness Conversation Guide for use within the Swedish healthcare setting and examine the validity and acceptability of the Swedish Serious Illness Conversation Guide. Methods: Three rounds of cognitive interviews were conducted (T1-3); patients (T1 n = 11; T2 n = 10; T3 n = 8), family members (T1 n = 5; T2 n = 2; T3 n = 2), and healthcare professionals (T1 n = 6; T2 n = 6; T3 n = 5). The guide was iteratively adapted based on interview feedback, clinical experience, and the literature. The guide was tested on training days with physicians and nurses. Results: The Swedish Serious Illness Conversation Guide was found to be useful in supporting serious illness conversations. Clinicians reported that some questions were emotionally challenging. Explicit questions about prognosis and timing were excluded. Instead, the dual approach of "hoping for the best and preparing for the worst" was used to explore patients' thoughts about the future. Conclusions: Patients, family members, and healthcare professionals found the Swedish Serious Illness Conversation Guide to be appropriate, sensitive, and responsive to their needs. The Swedish Serious Illness Conversation Guide may facilitate a more health-promoting approach to serious illness conversations. Further research is needed to understand the impact of these conversations on person-centered and goal-concordant care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Andersson
- Center for Collaborative Palliative Care, Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden
- Department of Nursing, Umeå University, Sweden
| | - Lisa Granat
- Center for Collaborative Palliative Care, Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden
| | - Rebecca Baxter
- Center for Collaborative Palliative Care, Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden
- Department of Nursing, Umeå University, Sweden
| | - Helene Reimertz
- Center for Collaborative Palliative Care, Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden
- Unit of Palliative Care, Region Kronoberg, Växjö, Sweden
| | - Carina Modéus
- Center for Collaborative Palliative Care, Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden
- Unit of Palliative Care, Region Kronoberg, Växjö, Sweden
| | - Susanna Pusa
- Center for Collaborative Palliative Care, Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden
- Department of Nursing, Umeå University, Sweden
| | - Anna Sandgren
- Center for Collaborative Palliative Care, Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden
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