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Alghamdi MA, Alzahrani R, Ali MA, Alharthi Z, Alyahya AM, Alghamdi AH, Alghamdi BN, Alghamdi W. Knowledge, Awareness, and Attitude Regarding Obstructive Sleep Apnea Among Primary Healthcare Physicians in the Al-Baha Region of Saudi Arabia. Cureus 2024; 16:e51435. [PMID: 38298303 PMCID: PMC10828977 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.51435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a clinically significant disorder that requires attention from healthcare professionals. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, awareness, and attitude of primary healthcare physicians regarding OSA in Saudi Arabia. METHODOLOGY A cross-sectional observational study design was employed from January 18, 2023, to August 18, 2023, focusing on primary healthcare physicians practicing in the Al-Baha region of Saudi Arabia. The survey included questions related to knowledge, awareness, and attitudes toward OSA, using the Obstructive Sleep Apnea Knowledge and Attitude (OSAKA) questionnaire for OSA, and demographic information. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to analyze the data. RESULTS A total sample size of 174 primary health care physicians was collected, where the majority of participants were male (101, 58.0%), and the mean age of the participants was 32.73 years (SD = 9.14). The item with the most correct answers was "The majority of patients with obstructive sleep apnea snore" (150, 86.2%). On the other hand, the item with the lowest number of correct answers was "Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty is an appropriate treatment for severe obstructive sleep apnea" (17, 9.8%). The majority of participants agreed that it is essential for physicians to know about OSA as a clinical disorder (161, 92.5%). However, when it came to screening all patients for possible OSA, there was a higher proportion of participants who disagreed or strongly disagreed (111, 63.8%). In general, the majority of participants had a low level of knowledge (109, 62.6%). Gender was significantly associated with both knowledge (p = 0.021) and awareness (p = 0.039), as well as nationality (knowledge (p = 0.012) and awareness (p = 0.039)), and specialty training, which was significantly associated with both knowledge (p = 0.000) and awareness (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION Although all participants acknowledged that OSA is a clinical disease, their perspectives on screening and levels of confidence in utilizing screening techniques varied. While the participants exhibited commendable understanding in the majority of domains, there were some facets of OSA in which they lacked expertise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed A Alghamdi
- Unit of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Baha University, Al-Baha, SAU
| | - Rajab Alzahrani
- Unit of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Baha University, Al-Baha, SAU
| | - Mujtaba A Ali
- Unit of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Baha University, Al-Baha, SAU
| | - Ziyad Alharthi
- Department of Medicine, Al-Baha University, Al-Baha, SAU
| | | | | | | | - Wejdan Alghamdi
- Family Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Jeddah, SAU
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Sakamoto A, Inokuchi R, Iwagami M, Hanari K, Tamiya N. Association between physicians' characteristics and their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding advance care planning: a cross-sectional study. BMC Palliat Care 2023; 22:134. [PMID: 37697265 PMCID: PMC10494406 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-023-01253-x] [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] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite physicians' vital role in advance care planning, a limited number of physicians practice it. This study assessed factors associated with physicians' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding advance care planning. METHODS This cross-sectional study used data from an anonymous survey conducted by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Questionnaires were mailed to 4500 physicians in November and December 2022. Data from 1260 respondents were analyzed. RESULTS Of the respondents, 46.4%, 77.0%, and 82.0% reported good knowledge of advance care planning, agreed with promoting it, and with its provision by medical/care staff, respectively. Male physicians were significantly less likely to support advance care planning (odds ratio: 0.54, 95% confidence interval: 0.35-0.84) or agree to its provision by medical/care staff (odds ratio: 0.47, 95% confidence interval: 0.29-0.78) but significantly more likely to practice it (odds ratio: 1.58, 95% confidence interval: 1.05-2.36). Physicians specialized in surgery or internal/general/palliative medicine were more knowledgeable about advance care planning and more likely to practice it. Physicians working in clinics were significantly less knowledgeable (odds ratio: 0.33, 95% confidence interval: 0.25-0.44) about advance care planning and less likely to support it (odds ratio: 0.37, 95% confidence interval: 0.27-0.50), agree with its provision by medical/care staff (odds ratio: 0.54, 95% confidence interval: 0.39-0.75), or to practice it (odds ratio: 0.16, 95% confidence interval: 0.12-0.22). CONCLUSIONS Physicians working in clinics had less knowledge of advance care planning, less supportive attitudes, and less likely to practice it. Knowledge, attitudes and practice also varied by gender and specialty. Interventions should target physicians working in clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayaka Sakamoto
- Health Services Research and Development Center, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tenno-Dai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan
- Department of Health Services Research, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tenno-Dai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan
| | - Ryota Inokuchi
- Health Services Research and Development Center, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tenno-Dai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan.
| | - Masao Iwagami
- Health Services Research and Development Center, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tenno-Dai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan
- Department of Health Services Research, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tenno-Dai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan
| | - Kyoko Hanari
- Health Services Research and Development Center, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tenno-Dai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan
| | - Nanako Tamiya
- Health Services Research and Development Center, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tenno-Dai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan
- Department of Health Services Research, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tenno-Dai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan
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Tjia J, D’Arcangelo N, Carlston D, Bronzi O, Gazarian P, Reich A, Porteny T, Gonzales K, Perez S, Weissman JS, Ladin K. US clinicians' perspectives on advance care planning for persons with dementia: A qualitative study. J Am Geriatr Soc 2023; 71:1473-1484. [PMID: 36547969 PMCID: PMC10175113 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.18197] [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] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although advance care planning (ACP) for persons with dementia (PWD) can promote patient-centered care by aligning future healthcare with patient values, few PWD have documented ACPs for reasons incompletely understood. The objective of this paper is to characterize the perceived value of, barriers to, and successful strategies for completing ACP for PWD as reported by frontline clinicians. METHODS Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews (August 2018-December 2019) with clinicians (physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers) at 11 US health systems. Interviews asked clinicians about their approaches to ACP with PWDs, including how ACP was initiated, what was discussed, how carepartners were involved, how decision-making was approached, and how decision-making capacity was assessed. RESULTS Of 75 participating generalist and specialty clinicians from across the United States, 61% reported conducting ACP with PWD, of whom 19% conducted ACP as early as possible with PWD. Three themes emerged: value of early ACP preserves PWD's autonomy in cases of differing PWD carepartner values, acute medical crises, and clinician paternalism; barriers to ACP with PWD including the dynamic and subjective assessment of patient decision-making capacity, inconsistent awareness of cognitive impairment by clinicians, and the need to balance patient and family carepartner involvement; and strategies to support ACP include clarifying clinicians' roles in ACP, standardizing clinicians' approach to PWD and their carepartners, and making time for ACP and decision-making assessments that allow PWD and carepartner involvement regardless of the patients' capacity. CONCLUSIONS Clinicians found early ACP for PWD valuable in promoting patient-centered care among an at-risk population. In sharing their perspectives on conducting ACP for PWD, clinicians described challenges that are amenable to changes in training, workflow, and material support for clinician time. Clinical practices need sustainable scheduling and financial support models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Tjia
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - Noah D’Arcangelo
- Research on Ethics, Aging, and Community Health (REACH Lab), Tufts University, Medford, MA
| | - Daniel Carlston
- Columbia Law School, New York, NY
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Boston, MA
| | - Olivia Bronzi
- Research on Ethics, Aging, and Community Health (REACH Lab), Tufts University, Medford, MA
| | - Priscilla Gazarian
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Boston, MA
| | - Amanda Reich
- Center for Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Thalia Porteny
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Kristina Gonzales
- Research on Ethics, Aging, and Community Health (REACH Lab), Tufts University, Medford, MA
| | - Stephen Perez
- Center for Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | | | - Keren Ladin
- Research on Ethics, Aging, and Community Health (REACH Lab), Tufts University, Medford, MA
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Smith KM, Scerpella D, Guo A, Hussain N, Colburn JL, Cotter VT, Aufill J, Dy SM, Wolff JL. Perceived Barriers and Facilitators of Implementing a Multicomponent Intervention to Improve Communication With Older Adults With and Without Dementia (SHARING Choices) in Primary Care: A Qualitative Study. J Prim Care Community Health 2022; 13:21501319221137251. [PMID: 36398937 PMCID: PMC9677296 DOI: 10.1177/21501319221137251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Implementing patient- and family-centered communication strategies has proven challenging in primary care, particularly for persons with dementia. To address this, we designed SHARING Choices, a multicomponent intervention combining patient and family partnered agenda setting, electronic portal access, and supports for advance care planning (ACP). This qualitative descriptive study describes factors affecting SHARING Choices implementation within primary care. METHODS Semi-structured interviews or focus groups with patient/family dyads (family, friends, unpaid caregivers) and primary care stakeholders (clinicians, staff, administrators) elicited perceived barriers and facilitators of SHARING Choices implementation. Field notes and interview transcripts were coded using template analysis along the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) constructs. Content analysis identified themes not readily categorized within CFIR. RESULTS About 22 dyads, including 14 with cognitive impairment, and 30 stakeholders participated in the study. Participants were receptive to the SHARING Choices components. Enablers of SHARING Choices included adaptability of the intervention, purposive engagement of family (particularly for patients with dementia), consistency with organizational priorities, and the relative advantage of SHARING Choices compared to current practices. Perceived barriers to implementation included intervention complexity, space constraints, workflow, and ACP hesitancy. The ACP facilitator was perceived as supportive in addressing individual and organizational implementation barriers including patient health and technology literacy and clinician time for ACP discussions. CONCLUSIONS Patients, family, and primary care clinicians endorsed the objectives and individual components of SHARING Choices. Strategies to enhance adoption were to simplify materials, streamline processes, leverage existing workflows, and embed ACP facilitators within the primary care team.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly M Smith
- Michael Garron Hospital - Toronto East Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Danny Scerpella
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Amy Guo
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | - Jennifer Aufill
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sydney M Dy
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jennifer L Wolff
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Lasmarías C, Aradilla-Herrero A, Esquinas C, Santaeugènia S, Cegri F, Limón E, Subirana-Casacuberta M. Primary Care Professionals' Self-Efficacy Surrounding Advance Care Planning and Its Link to Sociodemographics, Background and Perceptions: A Cross-Sectional Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18179034. [PMID: 34501624 PMCID: PMC8430566 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18179034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Primary care (PC) professionals have been considered the most appropriate practitioners for leading Advance care planning (ACP) processes with advanced chronic patients. Aim: To explore how PC doctors’ and nurses’ self-efficacy surrounding ACP is linked to their sociodemographic characteristics, background and perceptions of ACP practices. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed. Sociodemographics, background and perceptions about ACP in practice were collected using an online survey. The Advance Care Planning Self-Efficacy Spanish (ACP-SEs) scale was used for the self-efficacy measurement. Statistical analysis: Bivariate, multivariate and backward stepwise logistic regression analyses were performed to identify variables independently related to a higher score on the ACP-SEs. Results: N = 465 participants, 70.04% doctors, 81.47% female. The participants had a mean age of 46.45 years and 66.16% had spent >15 years in their current practice. The logistic regression model showed that scoring ≤ 75 on the ACP-SEs was related to a higher score on feeling sufficiently trained, having participated in ACP processes, perceiving that ACP facilitates knowledge of preferences and values, and perceiving that ACP improves patients’ quality of life. Conclusion: Professionals with previous background and those who have a positive perception of ACP are more likely to feel able to carry out ACP processes with patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Lasmarías
- Department of Education and Training, Catalan Institute of Oncology, 08908 Barcelona, Spain;
- Catalonia Chronic Care Research Group, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia, 08500 Vic, Spain;
| | - Amor Aradilla-Herrero
- School of Nursing, Escoles Universitàries Gimbernat (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona), 08174 Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-935-893-727
| | - Cristina Esquinas
- Department of Pneumology, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, 08031 Barcelona, Spain;
- Public Health, Mental, Maternal and Child Health Nursing Departament, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08031 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sebastià Santaeugènia
- Catalonia Chronic Care Research Group, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia, 08500 Vic, Spain;
- Chronic Care Program, Health Department, Generalitat de Catalunya, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francisco Cegri
- Responsible for Strategy and Innovation of the Association of Family and Community Nursing of Catalonia (AIFiCC), 08001 Barcelona, Spain;
- Primary Care Centre Sant Martí de Provençals, Institut Català de la Salut, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esther Limón
- Permanent Board of the Catalan Society of Family and Community Medicine (CAMFiC), 08019 Barcelona, Spain;
- Primary Care Centre Mataró-7, Institut Català de la Salut, 08019 Mataró, Spain
| | - Mireia Subirana-Casacuberta
- Nursing Department, Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari, Institut d’Investigació i Innovació Parc TaulíI3PT, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Consorci Sanitari Parc Taulí, 08208 Sabadell, Spain;
- Research Group on Methodology, Methods, Models, and Health and Social Outcomes, Faculty of Health Science and Welfare, Centre for Health and Social Care Research, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia, 08500 Vic, Spain
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Hafid A, Howard M, Guenter D, Elston D, Fikree S, Gallagher E, Winemaker S, Waters H. Advance care planning conversations in primary care: a quality improvement project using the Serious Illness Care Program. BMC Palliat Care 2021; 20:122. [PMID: 34330245 PMCID: PMC8325252 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-021-00817-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Advance care planning (ACP) conversations are associated with improved end-of-life healthcare outcomes and patients want to engage in ACP with their healthcare providers. Despite this, ACP conversations rarely occur in primary care settings. The objective of this study was to implement ACP through adapted Serious Illness Care Program (SICP) training sessions, and to understand primary care provider (PCP) perceptions of implementing ACP into practice. Methods We conducted a quality improvement project guided by the Normalization Process Theory (NPT), in an interprofessional academic family medicine group in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. NPT is an explanatory model that delineates the processes by which organizations implement and integrate new work. PCPs (physicians, family medicine residents, and allied health care providers), completed pre- and post-SICP self-assessments evaluating training effectiveness, a survey evaluating program implementability and sustainability, and semi-structured qualitative interviews to elaborate on barriers, facilitators, and suggestions for successful implementation. Descriptive statistics and pre-post differences (Wilcoxon Sign-Rank test) were used to analyze surveys and thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative interviews. Results 30 PCPs participated in SICP training and completed self-assessments, 14 completed NoMAD surveys, and 7 were interviewed. There were reported improvements in ACP confidence and skills. NoMAD surveys reported mixed opinions towards ACP implementation, specifically concerning colleagues’ abilities to conduct ACP and patients’ abilities to participate in ACP. Physicians discussed busy clinical schedules, lack of patient preparedness, and continued discomfort or lack of confidence in having ACP conversations. Allied health professionals discussed difficulty sharing patient prognosis and identification of appropriate patients as barriers. Conclusions Training in ACP conversations improved PCPs’ individual perceived abilities, but discomfort and other barriers were identified. Future iterations will require a more systematic process to support the implementation of ACP into regular practice, in addition to addressing knowledge and skill gaps. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12904-021-00817-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abe Hafid
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.
| | - Michelle Howard
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Dale Guenter
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Dawn Elston
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Shireen Fikree
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.,Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence & Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Erin Gallagher
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Samantha Winemaker
- Department of Family Medicine, Division of Palliative Care, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Heather Waters
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
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The Role Complexities in Advance Care Planning for End-of-Life Care-Nursing Students' Perception of the Nursing Profession. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18126574. [PMID: 34207258 PMCID: PMC8296407 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18126574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Nurses’ perceptions of being responsible for advance care planning (ACP) vary greatly across different studies. It could, however, affect their involvement in advance care planning and patients’ quality of death. Recent studies on this topic have mostly focused on advance directives but not ACP and nurses in the ward setting. This study aimed to assess the perception of Hong Kong nursing undergraduates of the nurse’s role in advance care planning and examine its associations with knowledge, attitude, and experience. A cross-sectional 57-item survey was delivered to nursing undergraduates between June and August 2020. The chi-squared test or Fisher’s exact test were used for univariate analysis. The multiple logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis. A total of 469 participants were assessed for eligibility; 242 of them were included in the data analysis, with a response rate of 97.6%. The majority of respondents—77.3% (95% CI: 72.0–82.6%)—perceived having a role in ACP, but large discrepancies were found between their perception of their role regarding different aspects of ACP. Participants who had a better knowledge status (p = 0.029) or supported the use of ACP (p < 0.001) were more likely to have a positive perception of their role in ACP. A negative correlation was found between the experience of life threat and positive role perception (p < 0.001). Through strengthening training, the role clarity of nursing undergraduates could be achieved, maximizing their cooperation with and implementation of ACP in their future nursing career. The enhancement of end-of-life education could also be undertaken to fill nursing undergraduates’ knowledge gap in this area and change their attitudes.
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Finucane AM, Swenson C, MacArtney JI, Perry R, Lamberton H, Hetherington L, Graham-Wisener L, Murray SA, Carduff E. What makes palliative care needs "complex"? A multisite sequential explanatory mixed methods study of patients referred for specialist palliative care. BMC Palliat Care 2021; 20:18. [PMID: 33451311 PMCID: PMC7809819 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-020-00700-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Specialist palliative care (SPC) providers tend to use the term 'complex' to refer to the needs of patients who require SPC. However, little is known about complex needs on first referral to a SPC service. We examined which needs are present and sought the perspectives of healthcare professionals on the complexity of need on referral to a hospice service. METHODS Multi-site sequential explanatory mixed method study consisting of a case-note review and focus groups with healthcare professionals in four UK hospices. RESULTS Documentation relating to 239 new patient referrals to hospice was reviewed; and focus groups involving 22 healthcare professionals conducted. Most patients had two or more needs documented on referral (96%); and needs were recorded across two or more domains for 62%. Physical needs were recorded for 91% of patients; psychological needs were recorded for 59%. Spiritual needs were rarely documented. Referral forms were considered limited for capturing complex needs. Referrals were perceived to be influenced by the experience and confidence of the referrer and the local resource available to meet palliative care needs directly. CONCLUSIONS Complexity was hard to detail or to objectively define on referral documentation alone. It appeared to be a term used to describe patients whom primary or secondary care providers felt needed SPC knowledge or support to meet their needs. Hospices need to provide greater clarity regarding who should be referred, when and for what purpose. Education and training in palliative care for primary care nurses and doctors and hospital clinicians could reduce the need for referral and help ensure that hospices are available to those most in need of SPC input.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne M. Finucane
- Marie Curie Hospice Edinburgh, 45 Frogston Road West, Edinburgh, EH10 7DR UK
- Primary Palliative Care Research Group, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Teviot Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9AG UK
| | - Connie Swenson
- Marie Curie Hospice Edinburgh, 45 Frogston Road West, Edinburgh, EH10 7DR UK
| | - John I. MacArtney
- Unit of Academic Primary Care, University of Warwick, Gibbert Hill, Coventry, CV4 7AL UK
- Marie Curie Hospice West Midlands, Marsh Lane, Solihull, B91 2PQ UK
| | - Rachel Perry
- Marie Curie Hospice West Midlands, Marsh Lane, Solihull, B91 2PQ UK
| | - Hazel Lamberton
- Marie Curie Hospice Belfast, 1A Kensington Road, Belfast, BT5 6NF UK
| | | | - Lisa Graham-Wisener
- Centre for Improving Health-Related Quality of Life, School of Psychology, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, BT7 1NN UK
| | - Scott A. Murray
- Primary Palliative Care Research Group, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Teviot Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9AG UK
| | - Emma Carduff
- Marie Curie Hospice Glasgow, 133 Balornock Rd, Glasgow, G21 3US UK
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Toguri JT, Grant-Nunn L, Urquhart R. Views of advanced cancer patients, families, and oncologists on initiating and engaging in advance care planning: a qualitative study. BMC Palliat Care 2020; 19:150. [PMID: 33004023 PMCID: PMC7531150 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-020-00655-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advance care planning (ACP) is a process by which patients reflect upon their goals, values and beliefs to allow them to make decisions about their future medical treatment that align with their goals and values, improving patient-centered care. Despite this, ACP is underutilized and is reported as one of the most difficult processes of oncology. We sought to: 1) explore patients' and families' understanding, experience and reflections on ACP, as well as what they need from their physicians during the process; 2) explore physicians' views of ACP, including their experiences with initiating ACP and views on ACP training. METHODS This was a qualitative descriptive study in Nova Scotia, Canada with oncologists, advanced cancer out-patients and their family members. Semi-structured interviews with advanced cancer out-patients and their family members (n = 4 patients, 4 family members) and oncologists (n = 10) were conducted; each participant was recruited separately. Data were analyzed using constant comparative analysis, which entailed coding, categorizing, and identifying themes recurrent across the datasets. RESULTS Themes were identified from the patient / family and oncologist groups, four and five respectively. Themes from patients / families included: 1) positive attitudes towards ACP; 2) healthcare professionals (HCPs) lack an understanding of patients' and families' informational needs during the ACP process; 3) limited access to services and supports; and 4) poor communication between HCPs. Themes from oncologists included: 1) initiation of ACP discussions; 2) navigating patient-family dynamics; 3) limited formal training in ACP; 4) ACP requires a team approach; and 5) lack of coordinated systems hinders ACP. CONCLUSIONS Stakeholders believe ACP for advanced cancer patients is important. Patients and families desire earlier and more in-depth discussion of ACP, additional services and supports, and improved communication between their HCPs. In the absence of formal training or guidance, oncologists have used clinical acumen to initiate ACP and a collaborative healthcare team approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- J T Toguri
- Dalhousie Medical School, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - L Grant-Nunn
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - R Urquhart
- Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
- Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, Room 8-032, Centennial Building, 1276 South Park Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 2Y9, Canada.
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