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Noe-Steinmüller N, Scherbakov D, Zhuravlyova A, Wager TD, Goldstein P, Tesarz J. Defining suffering in pain: a systematic review on pain-related suffering using natural language processing. Pain 2024; 165:1434-1449. [PMID: 38452202 PMCID: PMC11190900 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003195] [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: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Understanding, measuring, and mitigating pain-related suffering is a key challenge for both clinical care and pain research. However, there is no consensus on what exactly the concept of pain-related suffering includes, and it is often not precisely operationalized in empirical studies. Here, we (1) systematically review the conceptualization of pain-related suffering in the existing literature, (2) develop a definition and a conceptual framework, and (3) use machine learning to cross-validate the results. We identified 111 articles in a systematic search of Web of Science, PubMed, PsychINFO, and PhilPapers for peer-reviewed articles containing conceptual contributions about the experience of pain-related suffering. We developed a new procedure for extracting and synthesizing study information based on the cross-validation of qualitative analysis with an artificial intelligence-based approach grounded in large language models and topic modeling. We derived a definition from the literature that is representative of current theoretical views and describes pain-related suffering as a severely negative, complex, and dynamic experience in response to a perceived threat to an individual's integrity as a self and identity as a person. We also offer a conceptual framework of pain-related suffering distinguishing 8 dimensions: social, physical, personal, spiritual, existential, cultural, cognitive, and affective. Our data show that pain-related suffering is a multidimensional phenomenon that is closely related to but distinct from pain itself. The present analysis provides a roadmap for further theoretical and empirical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niklas Noe-Steinmüller
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Jonas Tesarz
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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Ongko E, Philip J, Zomerdijk N. Perspectives in preparedness of family caregivers of patients with cancer providing end-of-life care in the home: A narrative review of qualitative studies. Palliat Support Care 2023:1-11. [PMID: 37496385 DOI: 10.1017/s1478951523001013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many patients with advanced cancer identify home as being their preferred place of death. A critical component in achieving a home death is the support of family members, who often take on responsibilities for which they feel insufficiently prepared with subsequent impacts upon their health and well-being. OBJECTIVES This study sought to review existing qualitative literature on family carers' experiences in providing end-of-life care at home for patients with advanced cancer, with an emphasis on exploring factors that influence how prepared they feel for their role. METHODS A narrative review was chosen to provide an overview and analysis of qualitative findings. MEDLINE, PubMed, PsychINFO, and EMBASE databases were searched with the following search terms: "Cancer," "Caregiver," "End of Life Care," "Home," and "Qualitative." Inclusion criteria were as follows: English language, empirical studies, adult carers, and articles published between 2011 and 2021. Data were abstracted, and study quality was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist for qualitative research. RESULTS Fourteen relevant articles were included. Three overarching themes reflecting the factors influencing family preparedness for their role were identified: "motivations for providing care," "interactions with health-care professionals," and "changes during the caring process." SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS Inadequate preparation of family carers is apparent with regard to their role in providing end-of-life care at home for patients with advanced cancer. There is a need for health-care workers to more effectively identify the information and support needs of families, and utilize evidence-based strategies that have emerged to address these needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Ongko
- Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jennifer Philip
- Parkville Integrated Palliative Care Service, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Nienke Zomerdijk
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Alliance, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Warner BE, Harry A, Wells M, Brett SJ, Antcliffe DB. Escalation to intensive care for the older patient. An exploratory qualitative study of patients aged 65 years and older and their next of kin during the COVID-19 pandemic: the ESCALATE study. Age Ageing 2023; 52:7127657. [PMID: 37083851 PMCID: PMC10120351 DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afad035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND older people comprise the majority of hospital medical inpatients so decision-making regarding admission of this cohort to the intensive care unit (ICU) is important. ICU can be perceived by clinicians as overly burdensome for patients and loved ones, and long-term impact on quality of life considered unacceptable, effecting potential bias against admitting older people to ICU. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the challenge of selecting those who could most benefit from ICU. OBJECTIVE this qualitative study aimed to explore the views and recollections of escalation to ICU from older patients (aged ≥ 65 years) and next of kin (NoK) who experienced a COVID-19 ICU admission. SETTING the main site was a large NHS Trust in London, which experienced a high burden of COVID-19 cases. SUBJECTS 30 participants, comprising 12 patients, 7 NoK of survivor and 11 NoK of deceased. METHODS semi-structured interviews with thematic analysis using a framework approach. RESULTS there were five major themes: inevitability, disconnect, acceptance, implications for future decision-making and unique impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Life was highly valued and ICU perceived to be the only option. Prior understanding of ICU and admission decision-making explanations were limited. Despite benefit of hindsight, having experienced an ICU admission and its consequences, most could not conceptualise thresholds for future acceptable treatment outcomes. CONCLUSIONS in this study of patients ≥65 years and their NoK experiencing an acute ICU admission, survival was prioritised. Despite the ordeal of an ICU stay and its aftermath, the decision to admit and sequelae were considered acceptable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bronwen E Warner
- Division of Anaesthetics, Pain Medicine and Intensive Care, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Alice Harry
- Division of Anaesthetics, Pain Medicine and Intensive Care, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Anaesthetics, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Mary Wells
- Division of Anaesthetics, Pain Medicine and Intensive Care, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Stephen J Brett
- Division of Anaesthetics, Pain Medicine and Intensive Care, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - David B Antcliffe
- Division of Anaesthetics, Pain Medicine and Intensive Care, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
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Michaels J, Chen C, Ann Meeker M. Navigating the caregiving abyss: A metasynthesis of how family caregivers manage end-of-life care for older adults at home. Palliat Med 2022; 36:81-94. [PMID: 34477025 DOI: 10.1177/02692163211042999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Demographic changes (global aging, decreased fertility, increased home deaths) will present a critical need for end-of-life family caregivers of older adults at home. In order to support these family caregivers, we need to better understand their experiences, struggles, and needs. AIM To describe and explain the process of end-of-life caregiving as experienced by family caregivers of older adults residing in the home setting. DESIGN The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Metaanalysis (PRISMA) guidelines and Sandelowski and Barroso's procedural steps for a metasynthesis review guided this study. DATA SOURCES Qualitative and mixed methods literature from CINAHL, Medline, PsycINFO, and EMBASE databases and information from professional organizations were reviewed for studies that focused on family caregivers providing end-of-life care to older adults residing in the home setting. RESULTS A total of 24 studies were identified. Family caregivers engaged in the process of "navigating a caregiving abyss" when providing and managing end-of-life-care for older adults at home. The "caregiving abyss" consisted of four phases: (1) managing multiple roles, (2) encountering challenges, (3) mobilizing resources, and (4) acknowledging death is near. During the process family caregivers strived to "live day by day" and "maintain normalcy" to achieve the goals of honoring life's final wishes and provide home death. CONCLUSION Family caregivers of older adults at the end of life navigate a variety of challenges. The findings provide a conceptual framework to help guide the development of education, interventions, and health policy to meet family caregivers' needs in providing quality end-of-life care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Michaels
- School of Nursing, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Chiahui Chen
- School of Nursing, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Mary Ann Meeker
- School of Nursing, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
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Egilsdóttir H, Jónsdóttir H, Klinke ME. Living in Rural Areas and Receiving Cancer Treatment Away From Home: A Qualitative Study Foregrounding Temporality. Glob Qual Nurs Res 2022; 9:23333936221111802. [PMID: 35875361 PMCID: PMC9305796 DOI: 10.1177/23333936221111802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
We used explorative interviews to gauge (inter)personal, physiological, and emotional challenges of seven rural cancer patients who traveled long distances to cancer treatment centers. After a thematic analysis, we foregrounded experiences of temporality by using a phenomenologically inspired approach. The analysis resulted in three themes: (a) An epiphany of “what really matters in life”—time gains new meaning, (b) Feeling out of sync with others and own body—striving for coherence and simultaneity, and (c) Being torn between benefits of home and treatments site—time and distance as a tangible aspect of traveling and being away. Under these themes, 13 meaning units were generated, which reflected changes in temporality. During treatment, life primarily revolved around repeating circles of travel arrangements, staying on top of treatment schedule, and synchronizing a home life with a life away from home. Nurses should provide comprehensive care to enhance stability in cancer patients’ temporal experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marianne Elisabeth Klinke
- University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.,Landspitali, The National University Hospital of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
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Spouse Caregivers' Experiences of Suffering in Relation to Care for a Partner With Brain Tumor: A Qualitative Study. Cancer Nurs 2021; 45:E320-E328. [PMID: 33654012 DOI: 10.1097/ncc.0000000000000935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spouses often undertake the main caring role for a partner with primary malignant brain tumor (PMBT). Yet, demanding and challenging caring responsibilities especially because of the partner's cognitive declines can affect the spouse caregiver's well-being. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate spouses' experiences of suffering in their role as main caregiver of a partner with PMBT. METHODS A hermeneutical qualitative design was used to collect and analyze data. Ten spouses (aged 36-76 years) were interviewed in depth twice 1 year apart, using semistructured interview guides. RESULTS The spouse caregivers' experiences of suffering in their role as their partner's main caregiver were interpreted according to 3 central themes: "Enduring everyday life," "Being overlooked and hurt," and "Being acknowledged and feeling good." CONCLUSION Spouse caregivers of a partner with PMBT are suffering from exhaustion and suppression of their own emotions to endure the caring responsibilities. They need support to manage their everyday hardship; however, their experiences seem to be easily overlooked. This causes disappointment and hurts their dignity. Acknowledgment through simple acts of practical help or time to talk are consoling and alleviate their experiences of suffering. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE An intervention that supports healthcare professionals to facilitate the spouse caregivers' suffering is welcoming. The focus of the intervention may involve a sensitive awareness toward the spouse caregiver's individual resources and limitations and the relational and communicative competences of the healthcare professionals in their encounters with spouse caregivers that avoid hurting the spouse caregiver's dignity.
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Bakitas M, Allen Watts K, Malone E, Dionne-Odom JN, McCammon S, Taylor R, Tucker R, Elk R. Forging a New Frontier: Providing Palliative Care to People With Cancer in Rural and Remote Areas. J Clin Oncol 2020; 38:963-973. [PMID: 32023156 DOI: 10.1200/jco.18.02432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mounting evidence supports oncology organizations' recommendations of early palliative care as a cancer care best practice for patients with advanced cancer and/or high symptom burden. However, few trials on which these best practices are based have included rural and remote community-based oncology care. Therefore, little is known about whether early palliative care models are applicable in these low-resource areas. This literature synthesis identifies some of the challenges of integrating palliative care in rural and remote cancer care. Prominent themes include being mindful of rural culture; adapting traditional geographically based specialty care delivery models to under-resourced rural practices; and using novel palliative care education delivery methods to increase community-based health professional, layperson, and family palliative expertise to account for limited local specialty palliative care resources. Although there are many limitations, many rural and remote communities also have strengths in their capacity to provide high-quality care by capitalizing on close-knit, committed community practitioners, especially if there are receptive local palliative and hospice care champions. Hence, adapting palliative care models, using culturally appropriate novel delivery methods, and providing remote education and support to existing community providers are promising advances to aid rural people to manage serious illness and to die in place. Reformulating health policy and nurturing academic-community partnerships that support best practices are critical components of providing early palliative care for everyone everywhere.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Emily Malone
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | | | | | | | | | - Ronit Elk
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
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Devik SA, Enmarker I, Hellzen O. Nurses' experiences of compassion when giving palliative care at home. Nurs Ethics 2019; 27:194-205. [PMID: 31023157 DOI: 10.1177/0969733019839218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Compassion is seen as a core professional value in nursing and as essential in the effort of relieving suffering and promoting well-being in palliative care patients. Despite the advances in modern healthcare systems, there is a growing clinical and scientific concern that the value of compassion in palliative care is being less emphasised. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore nurses' experiences of compassion when caring for palliative patients in home nursing care. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS A secondary qualitative analysis inspired by hermeneutic circling was performed on narrative interviews with 10 registered nurses recruited from municipal home nursing care facilities in Mid-Norway. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS The Norwegian Social Science Data Services granted permission for the study (No. 34299) and the re-use of the data. FINDINGS The compassionate experience was illuminated by one overarching theme: valuing caring interactions as positive, negative or neutral, which entailed three themes: (1) perceiving the patient's plea, (2) interpreting feelings and (3) reasoning about accountability and action, with subsequent subthemes. DISCUSSION In contrast to most studies on compassion, our results highlight that a lack of compassion entails experiences of both negative and neutral content. CONCLUSION The phenomenon of neutral caring interactions and lack of compassion demands further explorations from both a patient - and a nurse perspective.
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Madsen R, Birkelund R, Uhrenfeldt L. Transition experiences during courses of incurable cancer from the perspective of bereaved spouses. Eur J Oncol Nurs 2019; 38:28-35. [PMID: 30717933 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2018.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The present study explores transition experiences during courses of incurable cancer from the perspective of bereaved spouses. METHOD Ten bereaved spouses participated in individual semi-structured interviews conducted in participants' private homes. The study takes a phenomenological-hermeneutic approach and data was analysed inspired by the French philosopher Paul Ricoeur's theory of interpretation. FINDINGS Two main themes were identified. The first one: "Being present when the life of their loved one is ending" consisted of three subthemes: "Challenged by suffering", "Transitions during the final days" and "Moving on in life". The second main theme: "Meaningful transitions in palliative care" consisted of two subthemes: "Changing direction towards palliative care" and "Transitions in palliative care". CONCLUSION Bereaved spouses experienced meaningful transitions when the life of their loved one was ending and related to receiving palliative care. Spouses were challenged by witnessing their loved one's suffering and experienced a deviation in the quality of professional palliative care offered in the system of healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rikke Madsen
- Horsens Regional Hospital, Hospitalsenheden Horsens, Sundvej 30, 8700, Horsens, Denmark.
| | - Regner Birkelund
- Health Services Research Unit, Lillebælt Hospital, Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Kabbeltoft 25, Bygning S100, 7100, Vejle, Denmark.
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Bergdahl E, Ternestedt B, Berterö C, Andershed B. The theory of a co-creative process in advanced palliative home care nursing encounters: A qualitative deductive approach over time. Nurs Open 2019; 6:175-188. [PMID: 30534407 PMCID: PMC6279716 DOI: 10.1002/nop2.203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Revised: 06/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to test the theoretical conceptualization of the co-creative process in home care nursing encounters over time. METHOD AND DESIGN This was a multiple case study with a deductive analysis of qualitative data over time, using interviews and observations collected from three cases. RESULTS The co-creative process was complex and contained main, sub- and micro-processes. Time was important and valuable, giving the patient and relatives space to adjust the process to their own pace. Some processes were worked on more intensively in accordance with the patients' and relatives' needs, and these are considered the main-process. The further developed theory of the co-creative process and its main, sub- and microprocesses can be understood as a concretization of how good nursing care can be performed within caring relationships in the context of advanced palliative home care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Britt‐Marie Ternestedt
- Department of Health Care Science/Palliative Research CentreErsta Sköndal Bräcke University CollegeStockholmSweden
| | - Carina Berterö
- Division of Nursing Science, Department of Medical and Health SciencesLinköping UniversityLinköpingSweden
| | - Birgitta Andershed
- Department of Health Care Science/Palliative Research CentreErsta Sköndal Bräcke University CollegeStockholmSweden
- Faculty of Health, Care and NursingNorwegian University of Science and TechnologyGjøvikNorway
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Costello J. Research roundup. Int J Palliat Nurs 2017. [DOI: 10.12968/ijpn.2017.23.12.620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Synopses of a selection of recently published research articles of relevance to palliative care.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Costello
- Senior Lecturer, University of Manchester Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work
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