1
|
Maresova P, Hruška J, Randlova K, Rezny L, Carrillo-de-la-Peña MT, Kuca K. Systematic Review of the Cost-Effectiveness of Home-Based Palliative Care Interventions in Patients with Cancer: A Critical Analysis. Cancer Manag Res 2024; 16:1155-1174. [PMID: 39258244 PMCID: PMC11385921 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s472649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 08/10/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The increased prevalence of cancer and the negative impact of pain on the quality of life of patients underscore the need to implement efficient palliative care interventions and management of pain. The cost-effectiveness of palliative care interventions for cancer, mostly pharmacological and delivered through home-based palliative care services, is unclear. Most of the studies do not take into account indirect costs nor consider variations across different geographical regions. Objective To describe existing and cutting-edge knowledge on cost-effectiveness or item costs related to palliative home-based care for patients with cancer. We evaluated various costs, including direct medical, non-medical, and indirect costs in different geographical regions and analysed how different options for care affect the patients' quality of life and associated expenses. Methods This Prospero-registered systematic review (CRD42023404217) adhered to the PRISMA criteria. Following a multistep selection process, we selected 22 articles published between 2013 and 2023 focused on quality of life outcomes and cost-effectiveness of home-based palliative care for cancer patients. Results Home-based palliative care decreases the number of hospital visits, while its influence on patients quality of life is currently difficult to demonstrate across geographic regions based on available evidence. Overall, home care decreases the costs associated to the palliative care of patients with cancer. The cost structure analysis revealed that besides healthcare costs, informal care expenses and productivity losses represent a significant proportion of overall expenses). In Europe, the direct medical, non-medical, and indirect costs (in purchasing power parity) were on average $1,941, $842, and $1,241, per month per person, respectively. In the USA and Asia, direct medical and indirect costs are on average $1,095 (USA) vs $1,444 (Asia) and $2,192 (USA) vs $1,162 (Asia). Conclusion In conclusion, the studies reviewed highlight significant cost variations and potential savings associated with palliative home-based care for cancer patients. Home-based palliative care, particularly involving medications, has shown favorable cost-effectiveness compared to hospital care. Specialized palliative home care, psychological interventions, and outpatient services further contribute to overall cost savings. However, the economic impact varies across different geographical contexts and cost categories, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches in palliative care planning and implementation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jan Hruška
- Betthera S.r.o., Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Kristina Randlova
- Betthera S.r.o., Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Prague University of Economics and Business, Faculty of Management, Department of Management, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lukas Rezny
- Betthera S.r.o., Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- University of Hradec Kralove, Faculty of Informatics and Management, Department of Economics, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | | | - Kamil Kuca
- Betthera S.r.o., Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- University of Hradec Kralove, Faculty of Informatics and Management, Department of Economics, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Alexander AK, Martinez I, Tefera R, Beauchemin MP, Lawhon VM, Nichols A, Rosenberg AR, Bhatia S, Johnston EE. Bereaved Parents' Perspectives on Financial Toxicity at End of Life for Children with Cancer: A Qualitative Study. J Pediatr 2024; 276:114269. [PMID: 39218210 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2024.114269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2024] [Revised: 08/06/2024] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore financial toxicity (FT) experienced by the parents of children with cancer at end-of-life (EOL), including exploring differences by race and ethnicity. STUDY DESIGN We performed secondary analysis of semistructured interviews of bereaved parents' perspectives on quality EOL care. Fifty-five interviews were conducted in California and Alabama representing 48 children (0-21 years at time of death) who died of cancer ≥6 months prior. Quotes related to FT were identified and iteratively grouped into themes without an a priori framework. RESULTS Most participants were non-Hispanic White (30; 55%), and the most common diagnoses were noncentral nervous system solid tumors (16; 33%) and central nervous system tumors (16; 33%). Children died at a mean age of 11 and a median of 4 years prior to the interview. Almost all parents (52; 95%) discussed FT, including all Black and Hispanic parents. Parents identified transportation, housing, other basic needs, funeral costs, and medical costs as well as work disruptions as contributors to FT at EOL. Barriers to financial wellness included navigating insurance, insufficient financial support from the hospital, and long-term FT from treatment. Many parents discussed how the hospital and community served as facilitators of financial wellness. In some cases, finances prevented families from accessing nursing services and mental health support and affected EOL decisions. CONCLUSIONS As FT affected almost all families' EOL experience, pediatric oncology programs should routinely screen for FT at EOL and ensure they have the resources to respond.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Isaac Martinez
- Institute for Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Raba Tefera
- Institute for Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | | | - Valerie M Lawhon
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Ashley Nichols
- Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Abby R Rosenberg
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA; Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Smita Bhatia
- Institute for Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL; Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Emily E Johnston
- Institute for Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL; Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mogan C, Davies N, Harrison-Dening K, Lloyd-Williams M. Experiences of family carers supporting older people within the last year of life in rural and remote areas in the UK. Age Ageing 2024; 53:afae169. [PMID: 39119999 PMCID: PMC11310774 DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afae169] [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: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the UK, a large proportion of older adults live in rural/remote locations. More people are dying at home and require care from their families. Little is known about the experiences of family carers of older people in rural/remote areas in the last year of life. AIM To explore the experiences of current and bereaved family carers who support/ed an older person in a rural area in the UK towards the end-of-life. DESIGN Qualitative methodology using semi-structured interviews and reflexive thematic analysis methods. METHOD Interviews were conducted with family carers of rural/remote-dwelling older people in the last year of life. Participants were recruited through national support services, third sector organisations and social media. RESULTS Interviews were conducted with 20 family carers. Most were female (n = 17) and aged 52-80 years. Family carers experienced difficulties in accessing health and social care in rural/remote areas due to workforce and skills shortages within their regions. The wider community helped with practical tasks and made carers feel less alone. Community-based services, such as day care, helped to provide respite for carers and promoted meaningful activity and social inclusion for older people. Although internet access was problematic, family carers gained support remotely via social media and telehealth services. CONCLUSION Family carers of older people in the last year of life in rural/remote areas value support from the wider community. Further work is required to understand how Public Health approaches to palliative care and workforce distribution can support rural/remote carers and older people.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Mogan
- Liverpool John Moores University, Faculty of Health, Tithebarn Street, Liverpool L2 2ER, UK
| | - Nathan Davies
- Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, UK
| | | | - Mari Lloyd-Williams
- Liverpool John Moores University, Faculty of Health, Tithebarn Street, Liverpool L2 2ER, UK
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Siminoff LA, Wilson-Genderson M, Chwistek M, Thomson M. The cancer caregiving burden trajectory over time: varying experiences of perceived versus objectively measured burden. Oncologist 2024; 29:629-637. [PMID: 38652165 PMCID: PMC11224987 DOI: 10.1093/oncolo/oyae069] [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: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The objective of this study was to comprehensively understand the burden experienced by caregivers (CGs) providing home-based, end-of-life care to patients with cancer. We examined the relationship between objective and subjective burden including whether and how burden changes over time. METHODS A case series of terminal cancer patient-caregiver dyads (n = 223) were recruited from oncology clinics and followed for 12 months or until patient death. Data were collected every other week and in-person from CGs in their homes using quantitative surveys, diaries, and monthly structured observations. RESULTS Bivariate correlations revealed a significant association between subjective burden and activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), high-intensity tasks, and time spent on ADLs; these correlations varied over time. Models examining the slope of subjective burden revealed little systematic change; spouse caregiver and patient functional limitations were positively, and Black caregiver was negatively associated with subjective burden. Generally, the slopes for measures of objective burden were significant and positive. Models showed subjective burden was positively associated with most measures of objective burden both within caregiver (concurrent measures were positively associated) and between CGs (those with higher subjective also had higher objective). CONCLUSIONS Cancer caregiving is dynamic; CGs must adjust to the progression of the patient's disease. We found an association between subjective and objective burden both within and between CGs. Black CGs were more likely to report lower subjective burden compared to their White counterparts. More detailed investigation of the sociocultural components that affect caregiver experience of burden is needed to better understand how and where to best intervene with targeted supportive care services.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Siminoff
- College of Public Health, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Maureen Wilson-Genderson
- College of Public Health, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Marcin Chwistek
- Fox Chase Cancer Center/Temple University Health, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Maria Thomson
- Department of Health Behavior and Policy, School of Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Johnson MJ, Currow DC, Chynoweth J, Weatherly H, Keser G, Hutchinson A, Jones A, Dunn L, Allgar V. The cost of providing care by family and friends (informal care) in the last year of life: A population observational study. Palliat Med 2024; 38:725-736. [PMID: 38907630 DOI: 10.1177/02692163241259649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Little is known about replacement costs of care provided by informal carers during the last year of life for people dying of cancer and non-cancer diseases. AIM To estimate informal caregiving costs and explore the relationship with carer and decedent characteristics. DESIGN National observational study of bereaved carers. Questions included informal end-of-life caregiving into the 2017 Health Survey for England including estimated recalled frequency, duration and intensity of care provision. We estimated replacement costs for a decedent's last year of life valuing time at the price of a substitutable activity. Spearman rank correlations and multivariable linear regression were used to explore relationships with last year of life costs. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS Adult national survey respondents - England. RESULTS A total of 7997 adults were interviewed from 5767/9612 (60%) of invited households. Estimated replacement costs of personal care and other help were £27,072 and £13,697 per carer and a national cost of £13.2 billion and £15.5 billion respectively. Longer care duration and intensity, older age, death at home (lived together), non-cancer cause of death and greater deprivation were associated with increased costs. Female sex, and not accessing 'other care services' were related to higher costs for other help only. CONCLUSION We provide a first adult general population estimate for replacement informal care costs in the last year of life of £41,000 per carer per decedent and highlight characteristics associated with greater costs. This presents a major challenge for future universal care coverage as the pool of people providing informal care diminish with an ageing population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miriam J Johnson
- Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, UK
| | - David C Currow
- Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | | | | | - Gamze Keser
- Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, UK
| | - Ann Hutchinson
- Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, UK
| | - Annie Jones
- Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, UK
| | - Laurie Dunn
- Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Becqué YN, Rietjens JAC, van der Heide A, Witkamp E. Failed implementation of a nursing intervention to support family caregivers: An evaluation study using Normalization Process Theory. J Adv Nurs 2024. [PMID: 38884574 DOI: 10.1111/jan.16261] [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: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
AIM To evaluate the failed implementation of the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool Intervention for family caregivers in end-of-life care, within a trial context using Normalization Process Theory (NPT). DESIGN An evaluation study was conducted to learn lessons from our trial, which was not successful due to the low number of participants. The evaluation study utilized various data sources, including published data from interviews and questionnaires, and unpublished data derived from emails and conversation notes. METHODS Data were retrospectively collected. Thematic analysis was conducted guided by the NPT framework. This framework emphasizes that successful implementation of an intervention relies on its 'normalization', consisting of four constructs: coherence, cognitive participation, collective action and reflexive monitoring. RESULTS Coherence (sense making): Nurses felt the intervention could contribute to their competence in assessing family caregivers' needs, but some were unsure how it differed from usual practice. Cognitive participation (relational work): Nurse champions played a crucial role in building a community of practice. However, sustaining this community was challenging due to staff turnover and shortages. Collective action (work done to enable the intervention): Nurses felt the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool training enabled them to improve their support of family caregivers. However, contextual factors complicated implementation, such as being used to a patient rather than a family-focused approach and a high workload. Reflexive monitoring (appraisal of the intervention): Positive experiences of the nurses with the intervention motivated them to implement it. However, the research context made nurses hesitant to recruit family caregivers because of the potential burden of participation. CONCLUSION Although the intervention demonstrated potential to assist nurses in providing tailored support to family caregivers, its integration into daily practice was not optimal. Contextual factors, such as a patient-focused approach to care and the research context, hampered normalization of the intervention. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE Assessing and considering contextual factors that may influence implementation of a complex care intervention is needed. The NPT provided a valuable framework for evaluating the implementation process in our study. IMPACT What problem did the study address? This evaluation study analysed the factors that promoted or hindered the implementation of a nursing intervention to support family caregivers in end-of-life care. What were the main findings? Both the intervention and the intervention training have potential and value for nurses in providing tailored support to family caregivers. However, the implementation faced challenges due to organizational factors and the research context, including recruitment. Where and on whom will the research have an impact? This insight is valuable for all stakeholders involved in implementing complex nursing interventions, including researchers, nurses and funders. REPORTING METHOD This study has adhered to the relevant EQUATOR guidelines: Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR). PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION There was no patient or public involved. TRIAL REGISTRATION The trial was prospectively registered on the Dutch Trial Register (NL7702).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne N Becqué
- Research Centre Innovations in Care, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Judith A C Rietjens
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Design, Organisation and Strategy, Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Agnes van der Heide
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Erica Witkamp
- Research Centre Innovations in Care, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Johansson T, Chambers RL, Curtis T, Pask S, Greenley S, Brittain M, Bone AE, Laidlaw L, Okamoto I, Barclay S, Higginson IJ, Murtagh FE, Sleeman KE. The effectiveness of out-of-hours palliative care telephone advice lines: A rapid systematic review. Palliat Med 2024; 38:625-643. [PMID: 38708864 PMCID: PMC11158006 DOI: 10.1177/02692163241248544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People with palliative care needs and their carers often rely on out-of-hours services to remain at home. Policymakers have recommended implementing telephone advice lines to ensure 24/7 access to support. However, the impact of these services on patient and carer outcomes, as well as the health care system, remains poorly understood. AIM To evaluate the clinical- and cost-effectiveness of out-of-hours palliative care telephone advice lines, and to identify service characteristics associated with effectiveness. DESIGN Rapid systematic review (PROSPERO ID: CRD42023400370) with narrative synthesis. DATA SOURCES Three databases (Medline, EMBASE and CINAHL) were searched in February 2023 for studies of any design reporting on telephone advice lines with at least partial out-of-hours availability. Study quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool, and quantitative and qualitative data were synthesised narratively. RESULTS Twenty-one studies, published 2000-2022, were included. Most studies were observational, none were experimental. While some evidence suggested that telephone advice lines offer guidance and reassurance, supporting care at home and potentially reducing avoidable emergency care use in the last months of life, variability in reporting and poor methodological quality across studies limit our understanding of patient/carer and health care system outcomes. CONCLUSION Despite their increasing use, evidence for the clinical- and cost-effectiveness of palliative care telephone advice lines remains limited, primarily due to the lack of robust comparative studies. There is a need for more rigorous evaluations incorporating experimental or quasi-experimental methods and longer follow-up, and standardised reporting of telephone advice line models and outcomes, to guide policy and practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Therese Johansson
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy & Rehabilitation, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Rachel L. Chambers
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy & Rehabilitation, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Thomas Curtis
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy & Rehabilitation, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Sophie Pask
- Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, UK
| | - Sarah Greenley
- Institute of Clinical and Applied Health Research, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, UK
| | - Molly Brittain
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy & Rehabilitation, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Anna E. Bone
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy & Rehabilitation, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Lynn Laidlaw
- Cicely Saunders Institute Patient & Public Involvement Group, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Ikumi Okamoto
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Stephen Barclay
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Irene J. Higginson
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy & Rehabilitation, King’s College London, London, UK
- King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Fliss E.M. Murtagh
- Institute of Clinical and Applied Health Research, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, UK
| | - Katherine E. Sleeman
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy & Rehabilitation, King’s College London, London, UK
- King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Hastert TA, Kyko JM, Ruterbusch JJ, Robinson JRM, Kamen CS, Beebe-Dimmer JL, Nair M, Thompson HS, Schwartz AG. Caregiver costs and financial burden in caregivers of African American cancer survivors. J Cancer Surviv 2024; 18:565-574. [PMID: 36274101 DOI: 10.1007/s11764-022-01271-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE People with cancer commonly rely on loved ones as informal caregivers during and after treatment. Costs related to caregiving and their association with caregiver financial burden are not well understood. METHODS Results include data from 964 caregivers of African American cancer survivors in the Detroit Research on Cancer Survivors (ROCS) cohort. Caregiving costs include those related to medications, logistics (e.g., transportation), and medical bills. Financial burden measures included caregiver financial resources, strain, and difficulty paying caregiving costs. Prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of associations between costs and high financial burden were calculated using modified Poisson models controlling for caregiver characteristics. RESULTS Caregivers included spouses (36%), non-married partners (8%), family members (48%), and friends (9%). Nearly two-thirds (64%) of caregivers reported costs related to caregiving. Logistical costs were the most common (58%), followed by medication costs (35%) and medical bills (17%). High financial hardship was reported by 38% of caregivers. Prevalence of high financial hardship was 52% (95% CI: 24%, 86%) higher among caregivers who reported any versus no caregiver costs. Associations between caregiver costs and high financial burden were evident for costs related to medications (PR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.12, 1.58), logistics (PR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.29, 1.92), and medical bills (PR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.28, 1.92). CONCLUSIONS Most caregivers experienced costs related to caregiving, and these costs were associated with higher prevalence of high caregiver financial burden. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS Informal caregivers experience financial hardship related to cancer along with cancer survivors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Theresa A Hastert
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.
- Population Studies and Disparities Research Program, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
| | - Jaclyn M Kyko
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
- Population Studies and Disparities Research Program, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Julie J Ruterbusch
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
- Population Studies and Disparities Research Program, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Jamaica R M Robinson
- Center for Research On End-of-Life Care, Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Charles S Kamen
- Department of Surgery, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Jennifer L Beebe-Dimmer
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
- Population Studies and Disparities Research Program, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Mrudula Nair
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
- Population Studies and Disparities Research Program, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Hayley S Thompson
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
- Population Studies and Disparities Research Program, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Ann G Schwartz
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
- Population Studies and Disparities Research Program, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Norinder M, Årestedt K, Axelsson L, Grande G, Ewing G, Alvariza A. Increased preparedness for caregiving among family caregivers in specialized home care by using the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool Intervention. Palliat Support Care 2024; 22:236-242. [PMID: 37278216 DOI: 10.1017/s1478951523000639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Family caregivers often feel insufficiently prepared for a caregiving role, experiencing challenges and demands related to care at home that may negatively affect their own quality of life. Supportive interventions have been shown to influence negative effects, but more studies are needed. Therefore, this study aims to explore potential effects of the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool Intervention on preparedness, caregiver burden, and quality of life among Swedish family caregivers in specialized home care. METHODS The study had a pre-post intervention design and was conducted at 6 specialized home care services in Sweden. Family caregivers who received the intervention completed a questionnaire, including the Preparedness for caregiving scale, Caregiver Burden Scale, and Quality of Life in Life-Threatening Illness - Family carer version, at 2 time points, baseline and follow up, about 5 weeks later. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS Altogether, 33 family caregivers completed the baseline and follow-up assessment. A majority were retired (n = 26, 81%) and women (n = 19, 58%) and two-fifths had a university degree (n = 13, 41%). The family caregivers had significantly increased their preparedness for caregiving between the baseline and follow-up assessment (Mdn = 18 vs. 20, p = 0.002). No significant changes were found on caregiver burden or quality of life. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS The results add to knowledge regarding the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool Intervention's potential to improve family caregiver outcomes. Findings suggest that the intervention may be used to improve the preparedness for caregiving and support among family caregivers in specialized home care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Norinder
- Department of Health Care Sciences, Palliative Research Centre, Marie Cederschiöld University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Capio Palliative Care, Dalen Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kristofer Årestedt
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
- Department of Research, Region Kalmar County, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Lena Axelsson
- Department of Nursing Science, Sophiahemmet University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gunn Grande
- Division of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Care, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Gail Ewing
- Centre for Family Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Anette Alvariza
- Department of Health Care Sciences, Palliative Research Centre, Marie Cederschiöld University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Research and Development Unit/Palliative Care, Stockholms Sjukhem, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Riguzzi M, Thaqi Q, Lorch A, Blum D, Peng-Keller S, Naef R. Contextual determinants of guideline-based family support during end-of-life cancer care and subsequent bereavement care: A cross-sectional survey of registered nurses. Eur J Oncol Nurs 2024; 70:102555. [PMID: 38626610 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2024.102555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE In end-of-life cancer care, 10-20% of bereaved family members experience adverse mental health effects, including prolonged grief disorder. Despite great efforts, evidence-based recommendations to support their grieving process and well-being are often not successfully adopted into routine clinical care. This study identified facilitators and barriers using implementation science methodology. METHODS 81 registered nurses working in cancer care from four hospitals and three home care services in Switzerland assessed their current family support practices in end-of-life care and bereavement care. They then assessed organisational attributes of their institution and their own individual characteristics and skills regarding literature-based factors of potential relevance. Facilitators and barriers to guideline-based family support were determined using fractional logistic regression. RESULTS Service specialisation in palliative care, a culture that supports change, the availability of family support guidelines, billing/reimbursement of bereavement support services, and individual knowledge of family support and skill were systematically associated with higher adoption of guideline-based family support practices. Lack of privacy with families and insufficient training acted as significant barriers. CONCLUSIONS While several potentially relevant factors have emerged in the literature, certain organisational and individual determinants actually empirically predict guideline-based family support according to nurses in end-of-life cancer care, with some determinants having much stronger implications than others. This provides crucial guidance for focussing quality improvement and implementation efforts through tailored strategies, especially with scarce resources. Furthermore, adoption is lower in bereavement care than in end-of-life care, suggesting a particular need for supportive organisational cultures including specific training and billing/reimbursement options.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Riguzzi
- Institute for Implementation Science in Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Universitaetstrasse 84, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland; Centre of Clinical Nursing Science, University Hospital Zurich, Sonnentalstrasse 25, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland.
| | - Qëndresa Thaqi
- Institute for Implementation Science in Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Universitaetstrasse 84, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland; Centre of Clinical Nursing Science, University Hospital Zurich, Sonnentalstrasse 25, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Anja Lorch
- Department of Medical Oncology and Haematology Clinic, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - David Blum
- Competence Centre for Palliative Care, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland; Centre for Palliative Care, City Hospital Zurich, Tièchestrasse 99, 8037 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Simon Peng-Keller
- Spiritual Care, Faculty of Theology, University of Zurich, Kirchgasse 9, 8001 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Rahel Naef
- Institute for Implementation Science in Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Universitaetstrasse 84, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland; Centre of Clinical Nursing Science, University Hospital Zurich, Sonnentalstrasse 25, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Parreiras FC, Drummond-Lage AP, de Souza Brandão MPA, Silva LN, Geo LS, Andrade BB, de Melo AC, Wainstein AJA. What could be Improved at Melanoma Patients' Welfare Death? End of Life Perception of Caregivers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER MEDICINE 2024; 7:28-34. [PMID: 39193355 PMCID: PMC11349044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
Despite enormous recent advances in stage IV melanoma treatment, it continues to have a significant mortality. Five-years survival is below 50% even when granted full access to effective therapeutic regimens. Considering the real world, mostly with low or medium-income countries like Brazil, where 75% of population depends on public health system receiving ineffective Dacarbazine chemotherapy, more than 95% of stage IV patients are dead before 5 years. Knowing the survival process of melanoma end-of-life time is imperative to help physicians to establish better symptoms control and improve the quality of death of these patients. METHODS Relative caregiver of melanoma end of life patients were invited to participate in a specific interview answering questions for the purpose of gathering information regarding symptoms and patients' complaints at the last 30 days, 7 days and at the day of death. RESULTS Although melanoma has a highest propensity for brain dissemination, seizure and focal neurological deficits were not a major complaint. Most of dying melanoma symptoms are shared among other solid terminality tumor process and get worse from 30 days to 7 days, but the majority of symptoms kept unchanged from 7 days till time to death. Wound bleeding and bad odor were the only complaints that got worse during the whole terminality process and could be improved with better commitment of assistant team. CONCLUSIONS although a strong effort is made to control brain metastasis, local and regional open wound metastasis represents a major remediable complaint that should receive more attention at end-of-life melanoma patients.
Collapse
|
12
|
Fischer C, Bednarz D, Simon J. Methodological challenges and potential solutions for economic evaluations of palliative and end-of-life care: A systematic review. Palliat Med 2024; 38:85-99. [PMID: 38142280 PMCID: PMC10798028 DOI: 10.1177/02692163231214124] [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] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Given the increasing demand for palliative and end-of-life care, along with the introduction of costly new treatments, there is a pressing need for robust evidence on value. However, comprehensive guidance is missing on methods for conducting economic evaluations in this field. AIM To identify and summarise existing information on methodological challenges and potential solutions/recommendations for economic evaluations of palliative and end-of-life care. DESIGN We conducted a systematic review of publications on methodological considerations for economic evaluations of adult palliative and end-of-life care as per our PROSPERO protocol CRD42020148160. Following initial searches, we conducted a two-stage screening process and quality appraisal. Information was thematically synthesised, coded, categorised into common themes and aligned with the items specified in the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards statement. DATA SOURCES The databases Medline, Embase, HTADatabase, NHSEED and grey literature were searched between 1 January 1999 and 5 June 2023. RESULTS Out of the initial 6502 studies, 81 were deemed eligible. Identified challenges could be grouped into nine themes: ambiguous and inaccurate patient identification, restricted generalisability due to poor geographic transferability of evidence, narrow costing perspective applied, difficulties defining comparators, consequences of applied time horizon, ambiguity in the selection of outcomes, challenged outcome measurement, non-standardised measurement and valuation of costs as well as challenges regarding a reliable preference-based outcome valuation. CONCLUSION Our review offers a comprehensive context-specific overview of methodological considerations for economic evaluations of palliative and end-of-life care. It also identifies the main knowledge gaps to help prioritise future methodological research specifically for this field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Fischer
- Department of Health Economics, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Damian Bednarz
- Department of Health Economics, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Judit Simon
- Department of Health Economics, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute Applied Diagnostics, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Gurunathan S, Thangaraj P, Kim JH. Postbiotics: Functional Food Materials and Therapeutic Agents for Cancer, Diabetes, and Inflammatory Diseases. Foods 2023; 13:89. [PMID: 38201117 PMCID: PMC10778838 DOI: 10.3390/foods13010089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Postbiotics are (i) "soluble factors secreted by live bacteria, or released after bacterial lysis, such as enzymes, peptides, teichoic acids, peptidoglycan-derived muropeptides, polysaccharides, cell-surface proteins and organic acids"; (ii) "non-viable metabolites produced by microorganisms that exert biological effects on the hosts"; and (iii) "compounds produced by microorganisms, released from food components or microbial constituents, including non-viable cells that, when administered in adequate amounts, promote health and wellbeing". A probiotic- and prebiotic-rich diet ensures an adequate supply of these vital nutrients. During the anaerobic fermentation of organic nutrients, such as prebiotics, postbiotics act as a benevolent bioactive molecule matrix. Postbiotics can be used as functional components in the food industry by offering a number of advantages, such as being added to foods that are harmful to probiotic survival. Postbiotic supplements have grown in popularity in the food, cosmetic, and healthcare industries because of their numerous health advantages. Their classification depends on various factors, including the type of microorganism, structural composition, and physiological functions. This review offers a succinct introduction to postbiotics while discussing their salient features and classification, production, purification, characterization, biological functions, and applications in the food industry. Furthermore, their therapeutic mechanisms as antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory agents are elucidated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sangiliyandi Gurunathan
- Department of Biotechnology, Rathinam College of Arts and Science, Eachanari, Coimbatore 641021, Tamil Nadu, India;
| | - Pratheep Thangaraj
- Department of Biotechnology, Rathinam College of Arts and Science, Eachanari, Coimbatore 641021, Tamil Nadu, India;
| | - Jin-Hoi Kim
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Shield T, Bayliss K, Hodkinson A, Panagioti M, Wearden A, Flynn J, Rowland C, Bee P, Farquhar M, Harris D, Grande G. What factors are associated with informal carers' psychological morbidity during end-of-life home care? A systematic review and thematic synthesis of observational quantitative studies. HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE DELIVERY RESEARCH 2023:1-58. [PMID: 37991230 DOI: 10.3310/htjy8442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Background Family carers are central in supporting patients nearing end of life. As a consequence, they often suffer detrimental impacts on their own mental health. Understanding what factors may affect carers' mental health is important in developing strategies to maintain their psychological well-being during caregiving. Aim To conduct a systematic review and thematic evidence synthesis of factors related to carers' mental health during end-of-life caregiving. Method Searches of MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Social Sciences Citation Index, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects 1 January 2009-24 November 2019. We included observational quantitative studies focusing on adult informal/family carers for adult patients at end of life cared for at home considering any factor related to carer mental health (anxiety, depression, distress and quality of life) pre-bereavement. Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale was used. Thematic analysis with box score presentation, and meta-analysis were done where data permitted. Results Findings from 63 included studies underpinned seven emergent themes. Patient condition (31 studies): worse patient psychological symptoms and quality of life were generally associated with worse carer mental health. Patient depression was associated with higher depression in carers (standardised mean difference = 0.59, 95% confidence interval 0.32 to 0.87, I2 = 77%). Patients' other symptoms and functional impairment may relate to carer mental health, but findings were unclear. Impact of caring responsibilities (14 studies): impact on carers' lives, task difficulty and general burden had clear associations with worse carer mental health. Relationships (8 studies): family dynamics and the quality of the carer-patient relationship may be important for carer mental health and are worthy of further investigation. Finance (6 studies): insufficient resources may relate to carers' mental health and warrant further study. Carers' psychological processes (13 studies): self-efficacy and preparedness were related to better mental health. However, findings regarding coping strategies were mixed. Support (18 studies): informal support given by family and friends may relate to better carer mental health, but evidence on formal support is limited. Having unmet needs was related to worse mental health, while satisfaction with care was related to better mental health. Contextual factors (16 studies): older age was generally associated with better carer mental health and being female was associated with worse mental health. Limitations Studies were mainly cross-sectional (56) rather than longitudinal (7) which raises questions about the likely causal direction of relationships. One-third of studies had samples < 100, so many had limited statistical power to identify existing relationships. Conclusions and future work Future work must adopt a comprehensive approach to improving carers' mental health because factors relating to carer mental health cover a broad spectrum. The literature on this topic is diverse and difficult to summarise, and the field would benefit from a clearer direction of enquiry guided by explanatory models. Future research should (1) further investigate quality of relationships and finances; (2) better define factors under investigation; (3) establish, through quantitative causal analyses, why factors might relate to mental health; and (4) utilise longitudinal designs more to aid understanding of likely causal direction of associations. Study registration This study is registered as PROSPERO registration 2019 CRD42019130279 at https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/. Funding This award was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health and Social Care Delivery Research programme HSDR 18/01/01 and is published in full in Health and Social Care Delivery Research. See the NIHR Funding and Awards website for further award information.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tracey Shield
- Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Kerin Bayliss
- Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Alexander Hodkinson
- NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Translational Research Centre, Division of Population Health, Health Services Research and Primary Care, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Maria Panagioti
- NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Translational Research Centre, Division of Population Health, Health Services Research and Primary Care, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Alison Wearden
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Jackie Flynn
- Public and Community Involvement and Engagement (PCIE) Panel, NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) Greater Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Christine Rowland
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Penny Bee
- Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Morag Farquhar
- School of Health Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Danielle Harris
- Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) Greater Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Gunn Grande
- Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Sørstrøm AK, Ludvigsen MS, Kymre IG. Home care nurses facilitating planned home deaths. A focused ethnography. BMC Palliat Care 2023; 22:175. [PMID: 37940911 PMCID: PMC10634003 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-023-01303-4] [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: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Home care nurses provide complex palliative care for patients who want to die in their own homes. This study aimed to explore home care nurses' facilitation of planned home death to better understand nursing practices. METHODS Data were collected between March 2019 and March 2020 using participant observations and semi-structured interviews. In addition, the number of planned home deaths was recorded. The analysis was guided by Roper and Shapira`s framework on focused ethnography. RESULTS Twenty home care nurses (three men) in eight home care areas in two Norwegian municipalities met the inclusion criteria. Eight home deaths were registered, seven participatory observations were performed, and 20 semi-structured interviews were completed. Home care nurses find facilitating planned home deaths to be rewarding work, to the point of going above and beyond. At the same time, they describe facilitating planned home deaths as demanding work due to organizational stressors such as staff shortages, heavy workloads, and time restraints. While they tend to patients' needs, they also express concern for the wellbeing of the next of kin. They find it challenging to juggle the needs of the patients with the needs of next of kin, as these are not always correlated. CONCLUSION Home care nurses are pushing the boundaries of their practice when facilitating planned home deaths while compensating for a fragile system by going above and beyond for patients and their next of kin. Providing insights into the work of home care nurses providing palliative care in patients' homes can impact recruiting and retaining nurses in the workforce and influence local practices and policies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Mette Spliid Ludvigsen
- Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, Nord University, Bodø, Norway
- Department of Clinical Medicine - Randers Regional Hospital, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Bayliss K, Shield T, Wearden A, Flynn J, Rowland C, Bee P, Farquhar M, Harris D, Hodkinson A, Panagioti M, Booth M, Cotterill D, Goodburn L, Knipe C, Grande G. Understanding what affects psychological morbidity in informal carers when providing care at home for patients at the end of life: a systematic qualitative evidence synthesis. HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE DELIVERY RESEARCH 2023:1-53. [PMID: 37843444 DOI: 10.3310/pytr4127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Background Informal carers are central in supporting patients at the end of life, but this has substantial negative impacts on carers' own mental health. When carers are unable to cope, this may affect their ability to support the patient and increase the likelihood of patient hospital admissions. Further, demographic changes mean demands for care at and before end of life are increasing and existing services will struggle to meet these demands. It is important to recognise carers as a vital resource and prevent adverse health outcomes from caregiving (and thereby limit their consequences). Large individual variation in the level of psychological morbidity from end-of-life caregiving suggests there is scope for interventions to improve carer mental health if we can understand the underlying factors. Objectives This meta-synthesis of qualitative studies aims to identify factors reported by carers as important to their mental health. Data sources Searches of MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsycINFO, Social Science Citation Index, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, and Cochrane Qualitative Reviews 1 January 2009 to 24 November 2019 for empirical publications from Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries in English/Scandinavian on factors affecting adult carer mental health during end-of-life caregiving in home settings. Review methods Systematic qualitative meta-synthesis in collaboration with a Public Patient Involvement carer Review Advisory Panel, included thematic synthesis, followed by a best-fit framework synthesis, informed by principles of meta-ethnography. Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Qualitative Studies Checklist was used. Results Thirty-three eligible studies identified six themes encompassing factors perceived by carers to affect their mental health during end-of-life caregiving. These were: (1) the patient condition (including patient decline); (2) impact of caring responsibilities (including exhaustion, lack of time for own needs, isolation); (3) relationships (including quality of the patient-carer relationship); (4) finances (including financial concerns, impact on work); (5) carers' internal processes (including loss of autonomy, lack of confidence, coping strategies); and (6) support (including lack of informal support, inadequacies in formal support information and care provision, limited collaboration, disjointed care). Reported strategies to improve mental health were linked to the final two themes, with suggestions on how to manage carers' internal processes and build appropriate support. Findings correspond with literature 1998-2008, indicating consistency in factors affecting carers and adding validity to findings. Limitations The review was limited to caregiving in the home setting and studies from Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries published in English and Scandinavian. Identified papers predominantly considered carers of people with cancer, with little research into ethnic-minority perspectives. The review may therefore not fully encompass factors affecting carers of people with longer-term conditions, or those within other care settings, countries and population groups. Conclusions and future work A wide range of both internal and contextual factors may lead to psychological morbidity when caring for someone at the end of life. Future work within practice therefore requires a broad-based rather than narrow approach to sustaining and improving carer mental health. Future work within research requires collaboration between researchers and stakeholders within policy, commissioning, practice and carer organisations to develop solutions and assess their effectiveness. Further, researchers need to develop better models for factors affecting carer mental health and their interaction, to build a stronger evidence base and better guide interventions. Study registration This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42019130279. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health and Social Care Delivery Research programme as award number HSDR 18/01/01 and will be published in full in Health and Social Care Delivery Research. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kerin Bayliss
- Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Tracey Shield
- Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Alison Wearden
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Jackie Flynn
- Public and Community Involvement and Engagement Panel, NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Greater Manchester, UK
| | - Christine Rowland
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Penny Bee
- Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Morag Farquhar
- School of Health Sciences, University of East Anglia, UK
| | - Danielle Harris
- Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Alexander Hodkinson
- NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Translational Research Centre, Division of Population Health, Health Services Research and Primary Care, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Maria Panagioti
- NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Translational Research Centre, Division of Population Health, Health Services Research and Primary Care, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Margaret Booth
- Carer Review Advisory Panel, NIHR HS&DR Project 18/01/01, University of Manchester, UK
| | - David Cotterill
- Carer Review Advisory Panel, NIHR HS&DR Project 18/01/01, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Lesley Goodburn
- Carer Review Advisory Panel, NIHR HS&DR Project 18/01/01, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Cedric Knipe
- Carer Review Advisory Panel, NIHR HS&DR Project 18/01/01, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Gunn Grande
- Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, UK
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Simpson J, Remawi BN, Potts K, Blackmore T, French M, Haydock K, Peters R, Hill M, Tidball OJ, Parker G, Waddington M, Preston N. Improving paramedic responses for patients dying at home: a theory of change-based approach. BMC Emerg Med 2023; 23:81. [PMID: 37532997 PMCID: PMC10394789 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-023-00848-0] [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: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Paramedics are increasingly being called to attend patients dying from advanced incurable conditions. However, confidence to deal with such calls varies, with many feeling relatively unskilled in this aspect of their role. A number of interventions have been piloted to improve their skills in end-of-life care (EoLC) but without a fully specified theoretical model. Theory of Change models can provide theoretical and testable links from intervention activities to proposed long-term outcomes and indicate the areas for assessment of effectiveness. This study aimed to develop an intervention for improving paramedic EoLC for patients in the community. METHODS A Theory of Change approach was used as the overarching theoretical framework for developing an intervention to improve paramedic end-of-life skills. Nine stakeholders - including specialist community paramedics, ambulance call handlers and palliative care specialists - were recruited to five consecutive online workshops, ranging between 60 and 90 min. Each workshop had 2-3 facilitators. Over multiple workshops, stakeholders decided on the desired impact, short- and long-term outcomes, and possible interventions. During and between these workshops a Theory of Change model was created, with the components shared with stakeholders. RESULTS The stakeholders agreed the desired impact was to provide consistent, holistic, patient-centred, and effective EoLC. Four potential long-term outcomes were suggested: (1) increased use of anticipatory and regular end-of-life medications; (2) reduced end-of-life clinical and medication errors; (3) reduced unnecessary hospitalisations; (4) increased concordance between patient preferred and actual place of death. Key interventions focused on providing immediate information on what to do in such situations including: appraising the situation, developing an algorithm for a treatment plan (including whether or not to convey to hospital) and how to identify ongoing support in the community. CONCLUSIONS A Theory of Change approach was effective at identifying impact, outcomes, and the important features of an end-of-life intervention for paramedics. This study identified the need for paramedics to have immediate access to information and resources to support EoLC, which the workshop stakeholders are now seeking to develop as an intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jane Simpson
- Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YT, UK.
| | - Bader Nael Remawi
- Lancaster Medical School, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YT, UK
| | - Kieran Potts
- North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Bolton, BL1 5DD, UK
| | - Tania Blackmore
- Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YT, UK
| | - Maddy French
- Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YT, UK
| | - Karen Haydock
- North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Bolton, BL1 5DD, UK
| | - Richard Peters
- North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Bolton, BL1 5DD, UK
| | - Michael Hill
- Heart of Kent Hospice, Preston Hall, Aylesford, Kent, ME20 7PU, UK
| | | | - Georgina Parker
- Heart of Kent Hospice, Preston Hall, Aylesford, Kent, ME20 7PU, UK
| | | | - Nancy Preston
- Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YT, UK
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Tieman J, Hudson P, Thomas K, Saward D, Parker D. Who cares for the carers? carerhelp: development and evaluation of an online resource to support the wellbeing of those caring for family members at the end of their life. BMC Palliat Care 2023; 22:98. [PMID: 37474919 PMCID: PMC10357776 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-023-01225-1] [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: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most people living with a terminal illness and approaching death will need the assistance of a non-professional carer such as a family member, friend, or neighbour to provide physical, emotional, and practical caring supports. A significant portion of these carers can feel overwhelmed, isolated and experience psychological and/or financial distress. Carers can have unmet information needs and information needs can change across the caring period. METHODS Guided by an Australian National Reference Group, this project undertook a multiphase set of activities to enable the development of an online carer resource. These activities included a literature review of key issues and considerations for family carers supporting someone with a terminal illness, a scoping scan of existing online resources, and interviews and focus groups with eighteen carers to understand their needs and context of caring. This information formed the basis for potential digital content. A web project team was established to create the information architecture and content pathways. User testing survey and usability assessment of the CarerHelp Website was undertaken to assess/optimise functionality prior to release. An evaluation process was also devised. RESULTS The literature review identified carer needs for practical and psychological support along with better education and strategies to improve communication. The scoping scan of available online resources suggested that while information available to carers is plentiful, much of that which is provided is general, disparately located, inadequately detailed, and disease specific. The eighteen carers who were interviewed highlighted the need for helpful information on: services, symptom management, relationships, preparation for death, managing the emotional and psychological burden that often accompanies caring, and support during bereavement. User testing and usability assessment of the prototype resource led to changes to enhance the user experience and effectiveness of navigation. It also highlighted a lack of awareness of existing resources and the needs of marketing and communication to address this problem. CONCLUSIONS The project led to the development of an open access online resource, CarerHelp ( www.carerhelp.com.au ), for use by carers and families caring for a person who has palliative care needs. The web metrics demonstrate substantial use of the resources.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Tieman
- Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying. CareSearch Director, Palliative and Supportive Services, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
| | - Peter Hudson
- Centre for Palliative Care, University of Melbourne & St Vincent's Hospital, Professor Vrije University, Melbourne, Brussels, Australia
| | - Kristina Thomas
- Centre for Palliative Care, University of Melbourne & St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Di Saward
- Research Nurse/Project Officer Centre for Palliative Care, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Deborah Parker
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, IMPACCT University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Sydney, NSW, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Häger Tibell L, Årestedt K, Holm M, Wallin V, Steineck G, Hudson P, Kreicbergs U, Alvariza A. Preparedness for caregiving and preparedness for death: Associations and modifiable thereafter factors among family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer in specialized home care. DEATH STUDIES 2023; 48:407-416. [PMID: 37441803 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2023.2231388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to (1) explore associations between preparedness for caregiving and preparedness for death among family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer and (2) explore modifiable preparedness factors, such as communication and support. Data was derived from a baseline questionnaire collected in specialized home care. The questionnaire included socio-demographics, the Preparedness for Caregiving Scale, and single items addressing preparedness for death, received support and communication about incurable illness. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Spearman correlations. Altogether 39 family caregivers participated. A significant association was found between preparedness for caregiving and preparedness for death. Received support and communication about the illness was associated with higher levels of preparedness for caregiving and death. This study contributes to evidence on the association between preparedness for caregiving and death, but also that communication and support employed by healthcare professionals could improve family caregiver preparedness and wellbeing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Louise Häger Tibell
- The Department of Health Care Science/Palliative Research Centre, Marie Cederschiöld University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Tema Cancer, BES: Breast-Endocrine Tumours and Sarcoma, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kristofer Årestedt
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
- Department of Research, Region Kalmar County, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Maja Holm
- The Department of Health Care Science/Palliative Research Centre, Marie Cederschiöld University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Nursing Science, Sophiahemmet University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Viktoria Wallin
- The Department of Health Care Science/Palliative Research Centre, Marie Cederschiöld University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gunnar Steineck
- Department of Clinical Cancer Epidemiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Division of Clinical Cancer Epidemiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Peter Hudson
- Centre for Palliative Care, St Vincent´s Hospital and The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Vrije University Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ulrika Kreicbergs
- The Department of Health Care Science/Palliative Research Centre, Marie Cederschiöld University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anette Alvariza
- Research and Development-Unit/Palliative Care, Stockholms Sjukhem, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Zhao J, Yabroff KR. High out‑of‑pocket spending and financial hardship at the end of life among cancer survivors and their families. Isr J Health Policy Res 2023; 12:24. [PMID: 37415261 DOI: 10.1186/s13584-023-00572-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the most expensive medical conditions to treat worldwide, affecting national and local spending, as well as household budgets for patients and their families. In this commentary about a recent paper from Tur‑Sinai et al., we discuss the high out-of-pocket spending and medical and non-medical financial hardship faced by cancer patients and their families at the end-of-life in Israel. We provide recent information about the costs of health care in Israel and other high-income countries with (i.e., Canada, Australia, Japan, and Italy) and without universal health insurance coverage (i.e., United States, a country with high healthcare costs and uninsurance rate), and highlight the role of improving health insurance coverage and benefit design in reducing financial hardship among cancer patients and their families. Recognizing that financial hardship at the end of life affects both patients and their families, developing comprehensive programs and policies in Israel as well as in other countries is warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingxuan Zhao
- Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, 3380 Chastain Meadows Pkwy NW Suite 200, Kennesaw, GA, 30144, USA.
| | - K Robin Yabroff
- Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, 3380 Chastain Meadows Pkwy NW Suite 200, Kennesaw, GA, 30144, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Vardar O, Serçekus P. Experiences of Muslim women living with gynaecological cancer and family caregivers. Int J Palliat Nurs 2023; 29:225-234. [PMID: 37224095 DOI: 10.12968/ijpn.2023.29.5.225] [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: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer has a large impact on the life of the diagnosed person and also their caregivers, who are typically family members. The impact of cancer on a Muslim woman and her caregivers has not been well researched because of cultural and social constraits. AIMS The aim of this study was to explorel the experiences of Muslim women with gynaecological cancers and their family caregivers. METHODS A descriptive phenomenological approach was adopted. A convenience sample was used in the research. FINDINGS The study findings were grouped into four major themes: the initial reaction to a cancer diagnosis from women and their caregivers, difficulties the patient and caregiver experienced (physiological, psychological, social and sexual), coping with cancer and expectations that caregivers and patients have of the institution and the health personnel. It was determined that during this disease and treatment, both the patients and caregivers faced difficulties, which can be categorised as physiological, psychological, social and sexual. Muslim women with gynaecological cancer frequently used coping behaviours, such as worshiping and believing that illness and healing come from God during the illness process. CONCLUSIONS Patients and their family caregivers lived through various difficulties. Healthcare professionals need to consider the expectations of patients with gynecological cancer, alongside those of their family caregivers. Nurses can help Muslim patients and their families cope with the problems they experience by being aware of the positive coping methods of Muslim cancer patients and their caregivers. Nurses should consider individuals' religious beliefs and cultural differences while giving care.
Collapse
|
22
|
Fenton ATHR, Fletcher KM, Kizildag D, Borstelmann NA, Kessler D, Cronin C, Revette AC, Wright AA, Frank E, Enzinger AC. Cancer Caregivers' Prognostic and End-of-Life Communication Needs and Experiences and their Impact. J Pain Symptom Manage 2023; 65:16-25. [PMID: 36198337 PMCID: PMC9790036 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2022.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer are integrally involved in communications regarding prognosis and end-of-life (EOL) planning and care. Yet little research has examined caregivers' communication experiences or the impact of these experiences on patients and caregivers at EOL. OBJECTIVES Investigate cancer caregivers' communication experiences and potential impact on patient and caregiver outcomes. METHODS Semistructured interviews with bereaved family cancer caregivers (N=19) about their communication needs and experiences as their loved one approached EOL and died. Audiotaped interviews were transcribed and thematically analyzed for communication-related themes. RESULTS Caregivers described fulfilling many important communication roles including information gathering and sharing, advocating, and facilitating-often coordinating communication with multiple partners (e.g., patient, family, oncology team, hospital team). Caregivers reported that, among the many topics they communicated about, prognosis and EOL were the most consequential and challenging. These challenges arose for several reasons including caregivers' and patients' discordant communication needs, limited opportunity for caregivers to satisfy their personal communication needs, uncertainty regarding their communication needs and responsibilities, and feeling unacknowledged by the care team. These challenges negatively impacted caregivers' abilities to satisfy their patient-related communication responsibilities, which shaped many outcomes including end-of-life decisions, care satisfaction, and bereavement. CONCLUSION Caregivers often facilitate essential communication for patients with advanced cancers yet face challenges successfully fulfilling their own and patients' communication needs, particularly surrounding prognostic and end-of-life conversations. Future research and interventions should explore strategies to help caregivers navigate uncertainty, create space to ask sensitive questions, and facilitate patient-caregiver discussions about differing informational needs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Deniz Kizildag
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | | | - Anna C Revette
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alexi A Wright
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Tibell LH, Alvariza A, Kreicbergs U, Wallin V, Steineck G, Holm M. Web-based support for spouses of patients with life-threatening illness cared for in specialized home care - A feasibility study. Palliat Support Care 2022:1-9. [PMID: 36537025 DOI: 10.1017/s1478951522001602] [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: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Psychoeducational interventions for family caregivers have shown to be effective but not possible for all caregivers to attend; thus, web-based interventions may be a complement. This study aimed to evaluate feasibility of a web-based intervention, "narstaende.se," from the perspective of spouses of patients receiving specialized home care. METHODS A website was developed, containing videos with conversations between health-care professionals and family caregivers (actors), informative texts, links to further information, and a chat forum. The aim of the website is to provide support and promote preparedness for caregiving and death, and the content is theoretically and empirically grounded. The study had a descriptive cross-sectional design. Altogether, 26 spouses answered a questionnaire, before accessing the website, and 4 weeks after this, 12 spouses were interviewed. Descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis were used. RESULTS Spouses experienced the website as being easy to use, welcoming, and with relevant content. Participating spouses would recommend "narstaende.se" to others in similar situations, and the majority found the website introduced timely. Videos seemed easily accessible and were most used, contributing to a feeling of recognition and sharing the situation. The online format was perceived as flexible, but still not all spouses visited the website, stating the desire for support in real life. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS A web-based intervention can be feasible for spouses in specialized home care; however, the digital format is not suitable for everyone. Further research is needed to determine the website's potential to provide support and increase preparedness for family caregivers in general.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Louise Häger Tibell
- The Department of Health Care Science/Palliative Research Centre, Marie Cederschiöld University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Theme Cancer, BES: Breast-Endocrine Tumours and Sarcoma, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anette Alvariza
- The Department of Health Care Science/Palliative Research Centre, Marie Cederschiöld University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Stockholms Sjukhem, Research and Development Unit/Palliative Care, Stockholms Sjukhem Foundation, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ulrika Kreicbergs
- The Department of Health Care Science/Palliative Research Centre, Marie Cederschiöld University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Viktoria Wallin
- The Department of Health Care Science/Palliative Research Centre, Marie Cederschiöld University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gunnar Steineck
- Department of Clinical Cancer Epidemiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Division of Clinical Cancer Epidemiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Maja Holm
- The Department of Health Care Science/Palliative Research Centre, Marie Cederschiöld University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Nursing Science, Sophiahemmet University, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Beetham B, Fasola C, Howard F. Preferred Place of Death Discussions: Are They Informing and Empowering Patients and their Family Caregivers? OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2022:302228221115587. [PMID: 35861425 DOI: 10.1177/00302228221115587] [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: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Factors influencing preferred place of death (PPoD) are variable between individuals. However, there is little understanding of how these preferences are formed and how consistent they are in the final months of life. In particular, the expectation and responsibility of family caregivers to provide unpaid caregiving support to their dying loved one in the home is often overlooked. There is a need for clinicians to take an individualised approach to PPoD conversations that is inclusive of the needs of both the patient and the family caregiver. More Good Deaths - A Change Programme responds to this gap in care by advancing the skills of clinicians having PPoD conversations with patients and their family caregivers. This paper describes the programme, providing insight into its benefits to advanced care planning and communication, as well as to our newest service - Cottage Hospice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bryony Beetham
- Hospice in the Weald, Tunbridge Wells, UK
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - Faith Howard
- Hospice in the Weald, Tunbridge Wells, UK
- School of Health Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Gardiner C, Taylor B, Goodwin H, Robinson J, Gott M. Employment and family caregiving in palliative care: An international qualitative study. Palliat Med 2022; 36:986-993. [PMID: 35848213 PMCID: PMC9344494 DOI: 10.1177/02692163221089134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Family caregivers provide the majority of palliative care. The impact of family caregiving on employment and finances has received little research attention in the field of palliative care. AIM The aim of this study was to explore perspectives and experiences of combining paid employment with palliative care family caregiving, and to assess the availability and suitability of employment support across three countries - the United Kingdom (UK), Aotearoa New Zealand and Canada. DESIGN A qualitative descriptive study design was used. Semi-structured interviews were held with 30 key informants with professional or personal experience in palliative care from the UK (n = 15), Aotearoa New Zealand (n = 6) and Canada (n = 9). Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using the principles of thematic analysis. RESULTS Four main themes were identified: (1) significant changes to working practices are required to enable end of life family carers to remain in work; (2) the negative consequences of combining caregiving and employment are significant, for both patient and carer; (3) employer support for working end of life caregivers is crucial but variable and; (4) national, federal and government benefits for working end of life family carers are necessary. CONCLUSION Supporting carers to retain employment whilst providing care has potential benefits for the patient at end of life, the caregiver, and the wider economy and labour market. Employers, policymakers and governments have a role to play in developing and implementing policies to support working carers to remain in employment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clare Gardiner
- Health Sciences School, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Beth Taylor
- Health Sciences School, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Hetty Goodwin
- School of Nursing, The University of Auckland, Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Jackie Robinson
- School of Nursing, The University of Auckland, Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Merryn Gott
- School of Nursing, The University of Auckland, Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Cheng Q, Xu B, Ng MSN, Zheng H, So WKW. Needs assessment instruments for family caregivers of cancer patients receiving palliative care: a systematic review. Support Care Cancer 2022; 30:8441-8453. [PMID: 35633413 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-022-07122-2] [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: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Family caregivers of palliative cancer patients experience various supportive care needs. Appropriate self-reported instruments with robust psychological properties are required to identify these needs of family caregivers. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review to identify self-reported supportive care needs assessment instruments for family caregivers of palliative cancer patients and assess their contents, psychometric properties, and applicability. METHODS Systematic searches were conducted in six English databases and four Chinese databases from inception to October 2020 and updated in June 2021. The instruments identified were evaluated using an 18-item checklist consisting of six domains: conceptual model, content validity, reliability, construct validity, scoring and interpretation, and respondent burden and presentation. RESULTS Six articles, describing four self-reported needs assessment instruments, were included in the review. These instruments varied significantly in terms of contents, constructs, scoring methods, and applicability. Three of these instruments were developed to assess the comprehensive supportive care needs of family caregivers, while one was specifically developed to assess the spiritual needs of family caregivers. With respect to psychometric properties, none of the instruments identified met all the criteria. Three major shortcomings were identified, namely, lack of longitudinal validity, lack of a strategy for interpreting missing data, and lack of a description of the literacy level required to understand the questions. Additionally, the instrument development processes assessed in this study lacked qualitative elements. CONCLUSIONS End-users need to consider contents, psychometric properties, and applicability when choosing an appropriate needs assessment instrument according to individual purpose and context. Further evaluation or development of needs assessment for the family caregivers of palliative cancer patients is needed, with a particular emphasis on caregivers' perspectives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qinqin Cheng
- The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 7/F, Esther Lee Building, Shatin, the New Territories, Hong Kong, China
| | - Binbin Xu
- The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 7/F, Esther Lee Building, Shatin, the New Territories, Hong Kong, China
| | - Marques S N Ng
- The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 7/F, Esther Lee Building, Shatin, the New Territories, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hongling Zheng
- Xiangya School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Winnie K W So
- The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 7/F, Esther Lee Building, Shatin, the New Territories, Hong Kong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Wen FH, Chou WC, Hou MM, Su PJ, Shen WC, Chen JS, Chang WC, Hsu MH, Tang ST. Caregivers' Death-Preparedness States Impact Caregiving Outcomes and Patients' End-of-Life Care. J Pain Symptom Manage 2022; 63:199-209. [PMID: 34563630 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2021.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE Preparing family caregivers, cognitively, emotionally, and behaviorally, for their relative's death is an actionable component of high-quality end-of-life care. We aimed to examine the never-before-examined associations of conjoint cognitive prognostic awareness and emotional preparedness for death with caregiving outcomes and end-of-life care received by cancer patients. DESIGN/SETTING/PARTICIPANTS/MAIN MEASURES For this longitudinal study, associations of death-preparedness states (no-death-preparedness, cognitive-death-preparedness-only, emotional-death-preparedness-only, and sufficient-death-preparedness states) with subjective caregiving burden, depressive symptoms, and quality of life (QOL) and patients' end-of-life care (chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, intensive care unit care, intubation, mechanical ventilation support, vasopressors, nasogastric tube feeding, and hospice care) were evaluated using multivariate hierarchical linear and logistic regression modeling, respectively, for 377 caregivers in cancer patients' last 6 months and 1 month, respectively. KEY RESULTS Caregivers in the cognitive-death-preparedness-only state experienced a higher level of subjective caregiving burden than those in the sufficient-death-preparedness state. Caregivers in the no-death-preparedness and cognitive-death-preparedness-only states reported significantly more depressive symptoms and worse QOL than those in the sufficient-death-preparedness state. Cancer patients with caregivers in the sufficient-death-preparedness state were less likely to receive chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy, intubation, mechanical ventilation, and nasogastric tube feeding than patients with caregivers in other death-preparedness states. However, patients' receipt of hospice care was not associated with their caregivers' death-preparedness states. CONCLUSION Family caregivers' death-preparedness states were associated with caregiving outcomes and their relative's end-of-life care. Cultivating caregivers' accurate prognostic awareness and improving their emotional preparedness for their relative's death may facilitate more favorable end-of-life-caregiving outcomes and may limit potentially nonbeneficial end-of-life care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fur-Hsing Wen
- Department of International Business (F-H.W.), Soochow University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Wen-Chi Chou
- Division of Hematology-Oncology (W-C. C, M-M.H, P.J.S., W-C.S., J.-S.C., W-C.C., S.T.T.), Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China; College of Medicine (W-C.C., J-S.C., W-C.C.), Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Ming-Mo Hou
- Division of Hematology-Oncology (W-C. C, M-M.H, P.J.S., W-C.S., J.-S.C., W-C.C., S.T.T.), Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Po-Jung Su
- Division of Hematology-Oncology (W-C. C, M-M.H, P.J.S., W-C.S., J.-S.C., W-C.C., S.T.T.), Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Wen-Chi Shen
- Division of Hematology-Oncology (W-C. C, M-M.H, P.J.S., W-C.S., J.-S.C., W-C.C., S.T.T.), Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Jen-Shi Chen
- Division of Hematology-Oncology (W-C. C, M-M.H, P.J.S., W-C.S., J.-S.C., W-C.C., S.T.T.), Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China; College of Medicine (W-C.C., J-S.C., W-C.C.), Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Wen-Cheng Chang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology (W-C. C, M-M.H, P.J.S., W-C.S., J.-S.C., W-C.C., S.T.T.), Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China; College of Medicine (W-C.C., J-S.C., W-C.C.), Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Mei Huang Hsu
- School of Nursing (M.H.H., S.T.T.), Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Siew Tzuh Tang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology (W-C. C, M-M.H, P.J.S., W-C.S., J.-S.C., W-C.C., S.T.T.), Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China; School of Nursing (M.H.H., S.T.T.), Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China; Department of Nursing (S.T.T.), Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Eppel‐Meichlinger J, Stängle S, Mayer H, Fringer A. Family caregivers' advocacy in voluntary stopping of eating and drinking: A holistic multiple case study. Nurs Open 2022; 9:624-636. [PMID: 34751005 PMCID: PMC8685828 DOI: 10.1002/nop2.1109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To gain insight into the experiences of family caregivers who accompanied a loved one during voluntary stopping of eating and drinking and to identify similarities and differences between cases of voluntary stopping of eating and drinking to develop a conceptual model. DESIGN A qualitative holistic multiple case study. METHODS We conducted narrative interviews with family caregivers (N = 17). We first analysed them inductively within the cases, followed by a cross-case analysis to merge the experiences into a conceptual model. RESULTS Family caregivers who could accept their loved one's wish to die stood up for the last will, especially when the cognitive abilities declined. They had to take on the role of an advocate to protect their self-determination from others who tried to interrupt the process. In their advocacy, they found themselves constantly in moral discrepancies. Usually without support, they provided nursing care until death. The subsequent processing phase was characterized by evaluating the dying situation and placing voluntary stopping of eating and drinking in their value scheme.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jasmin Eppel‐Meichlinger
- Institute for Applied Nursing SciencesEastern Switzerland University of Applied SciencesSt. GallenSwitzerland
- Department of Nursing ScienceUniversity of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Sabrina Stängle
- Institute of Nursing, School of Health ProfessionsZHAW Zurich University of Applied SciencesWinterthurSwitzerland
| | - Hanna Mayer
- Department of Nursing ScienceUniversity of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - André Fringer
- Institute of Nursing, School of Health ProfessionsZHAW Zurich University of Applied SciencesWinterthurSwitzerland
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Cheng Q, Xu B, Ng MS, Duan Y, So WK. Effectiveness of psychoeducational interventions among caregivers of patients with cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Nurs Stud 2021; 127:104162. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2021.104162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
|
30
|
Wilson E, Caswell G, Pollock K. The 'work' of managing medications when someone is seriously ill and dying at home: A longitudinal qualitative case study of patient and family perspectives'. Palliat Med 2021; 35:1941-1950. [PMID: 34252329 PMCID: PMC8640265 DOI: 10.1177/02692163211030113] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Managing medications can impose difficulties for patients and families which may intensify towards the end of life. Family caregivers are often assumed to be willing and able to support patients with medications, yet little is known about the challenges they experience or how they cope with these. AIM To explore patient and family caregivers' views of managing medications when someone is seriously ill and dying at home. DESIGN A qualitative design underpinned by a social constructionist perspective involving interviews with bereaved family caregivers, patients and current family caregivers. A thematic analysis was undertaken. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS Two English counties. Data reported in this paper were generated across two data sets using: (1) Interviews with bereaved family caregivers (n = 21) of patients who had been cared for at home during the last 6 months of life. (2) Interviews (n = 43) included within longitudinal family focused case studies (n = 20) with patients and current family caregivers followed-up over 4 months. RESULTS The 'work of managing medications' was identified as a central theme across the two data sets, with further subthemes of practical, physical, emotional and knowledge-based work. These are discussed by drawing together ideas of illness work, and how the management of medications can substantially add to the burden placed on patients and families. CONCLUSIONS It is essential to consider the limits of what it is reasonable to ask patients and families to do, especially when fatigued, distressed and under pressure. Focus should be on improving support via greater professional understanding of the work needed to manage medications at home.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor Wilson
- Nottingham Centre for the Advancement of Research in End of Life Care, School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham Medical School, Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK
| | - Glenys Caswell
- Nottingham Centre for the Advancement of Research in End of Life Care, School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham Medical School, Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK
| | - Kristian Pollock
- Nottingham Centre for the Advancement of Research in End of Life Care, School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham Medical School, Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Haan MM, Olthuis G, van Gurp JLP. Feeling called to care: a qualitative interview study on normativity in family caregivers' experiences in Dutch home settings in a palliative care context. BMC Palliat Care 2021; 20:183. [PMID: 34837984 PMCID: PMC8626934 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-021-00868-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Family caregivers, such as partners or other family members, are highly important to people who desire to stay at home in the last phase of their life-limiting disease. Despite the much-investigated challenges of family caregiving for a patient from one's direct social network, lots of caregivers persevere. To better understand why, we aimed to specify how normative elements - i.e. what is considered good or valuable - shape family caregivers' experiences in Dutch home settings. METHODS From September 2017 to February 2019, a total of 15 family caregivers, 13 bereaved family caregivers, and 9 patients participated in one-time in-depth interviews. The data were qualitatively analyzed following a grounded theory approach. RESULTS Central to this study is the persistent feeling of being called to care. By whom, why, and to what? Family caregivers feel called by the patient, professionals entering normal life, family and friends, or by oneself; because of normative elements of love, duty, or family dynamics; to be constantly available, attentive to the patient while ignoring their own needs, and assertive in managing the caring situation. The prospect of death within the palliative care context intensifies these mechanisms with a sense of urgency. CONCLUSIONS Our analysis showed a difference between feeling called upon in the caring situation on the one hand, and how caregivers tend to respond to these calls on the other. Taking into account the inherent normative and complex nature of family caregiving, the pressing feeling of being called cannot - and perhaps should not - simply be resolved. Caring might be something families just find themselves in due to being related. Rather than in feeling called upon per se, the burden of care might lie in the seeming limitlessness to which people feel called, reinforced by (implicit) social expectations. Support, we argue, should enable caregivers to reflect on what norms and values guide their responses while acknowledging that caring, despite being burdensome, can be a highly important and rewarding part of the relationship between partners or family members.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maaike M. Haan
- Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, IQ healthcare, P.O. Box 9101, 160, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Gert Olthuis
- Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, IQ healthcare, P.O. Box 9101, 160, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jelle L. P. van Gurp
- Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, IQ healthcare, P.O. Box 9101, 160, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Tjia J, Lund JL, Mack DS, Mbrah A, Yuan Y, Chen Q, Osundolire S, McDermott CL. Methodological Challenges for Epidemiologic Studies of Deprescribing at the End of Life. CURR EPIDEMIOL REP 2021; 8:116-129. [PMID: 34722115 PMCID: PMC8553236 DOI: 10.1007/s40471-021-00264-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Review To describe approaches to measuring deprescribing and associated outcomes in studies of patients approaching end of life (EOL). Recent Findings We reviewed studies published through 2020 that evaluated deprescribing in patients with limited life expectancy and approaching EOL. Deprescribing includes reducing the number of medications, decreasing medication dose(s), and eliminating potentially inappropriate medications. Tools such as STOPPFrail, OncPal, and the Unnecessary Drug Use Measure can facilitate deprescribing. Outcome measures vary and selection of measures should align with the operationalized deprescribing definition used by study investigators. Summary EOL deprescribing considerations include medication appropriateness in the context of patient goals for care, expected benefit from medication given life expectancy, and heightened potential for medication-related harm as death nears. Additional data are needed on how EOL deprescribing impacts patient quality of life, caregiver burden, and out-of-pocket medication-related costs to patients and caregivers. Investigators should design deprescribing studies with this information in mind.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Tjia
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, AS6-2065, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Jennifer L Lund
- Department of Epidemiology, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Deborah S Mack
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, AS6-2065, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Attah Mbrah
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, AS6-2065, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Yiyang Yuan
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, AS6-2065, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Qiaoxi Chen
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, AS6-2065, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Seun Osundolire
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, AS6-2065, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Cara L McDermott
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Urwin S, Lau YS, Grande G, Sutton M. The Challenges of Measuring Informal Care Time: A Review of the Literature. PHARMACOECONOMICS 2021; 39:1209-1223. [PMID: 34324174 PMCID: PMC8516777 DOI: 10.1007/s40273-021-01053-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Economic evaluations increasingly include the value of informal care, for example, in terms of caregiver health effects or time costs. If an economic evaluation uses caregiving time costs, appropriate measurement of caregiving time is an important first step prior to its valuation. There is no comprehensive overview of the measurement challenges for caregiving time. In this literature review, we searched Medline, Embase, Econlit and Scopus to identify measurement issues and associated studies which reported informal care time that addressed them. The search identified 27 studies that addressed nine measurement issues. There is limited evidence on how to address these issues, although some have received relatively more attention, including incremental time (considered in 16 studies), time measurement method comparisons (six studies) and the inclusion of intangible tasks (four studies). Non-response (considered in only one study) and carer and recipient identification (two studies) were the most wide-reaching measurement concerns, as these determine who is identified as carers. There was no evidence on the consequences of these measurement challenges in terms of impacts on cost-effectiveness ratios and on the total cost of health conditions, which would be a crucial next step. Future research on these issues should consider a range of different settings, as informal care is highly heterogeneous. The measurement of informal care is key for its inclusion in economic evaluations but there is little consensus on how to appropriately measure this type of care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sean Urwin
- Health Organisation, Policy and Economics, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Williamson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Yiu-Shing Lau
- Health Organisation, Policy and Economics, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Williamson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Gunn Grande
- Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Care, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Matt Sutton
- Health Organisation, Policy and Economics, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Williamson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Grande G, Rowland C, Cotterill S, Batistatou E, Hanratty B. Factors associated with carer psychological and physical health during end-of-life caregiving: an observational analysis of a population-based post-bereavement survey of carers of people with cancer. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e047275. [PMID: 34716156 PMCID: PMC8559100 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Family caregivers play an essential role in end-of-life care but suffer considerable impact on their own health. A better understanding of main factors related to carers' health is important to inform interventions. The purpose of the study was to test for the first time the potential impact of a comprehensive set of observable variables on carer health during end-of-life caregiving within a population-based carer sample. DESIGN National retrospective, cross-sectional, 4-month post-bereavement postal census survey of family carers of people who died from cancer. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Relatives who registered a death from cancer during a 2-week period in England were identified from death certificates by the Office of National Statistics; response rate was 1504/5271 (28.5%). OUTCOME MEASURES Carers' mental health was measured through General Health Questionnaire (GHQ)-12; general health was measured through EuroQoL EQ-Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-5D VAS). METHODS Survey questions to measure potential variables associated with carer health were based on past research and covered patients' symptoms and functioning; caregiving activities and hours; informal and formal help received; work hours, other caregiving, volunteering; changes to work, income and expenditure; sleep and relaxation; and demographic variables. Bivariate analyses and ordinary least square regression were performed to investigate these variables' relationship with outcomes. RESULTS Patients' psychological symptoms and functioning, caregiving hours, female gender and self-sought formal help related to worse mental health. General practitioner and social care input and relaxation related to better mental health. Patients' psychological symptoms, caregiving hours and female gender were associated with worse general health, and older age, employment and relaxation were associated with better general health. CONCLUSIONS Improvements in carers' health overall may be made by focusing on potential impacts of patients' psychological symptoms on carers, facilitating respite and relaxation, and paying particular attention to factors affecting female carers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gunn Grande
- Division of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Work, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Christine Rowland
- Division of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Work, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Sarah Cotterill
- Centre for Biostatistics, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Evridiki Batistatou
- Centre for Biostatistics, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Barbara Hanratty
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) North East and North Cumbria, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Becqué YN, Rietjens JAC, van der Heide A, Witkamp E. How nurses support family caregivers in the complex context of end-of-life home care: a qualitative study. BMC Palliat Care 2021; 20:162. [PMID: 34657623 PMCID: PMC8521979 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-021-00854-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Family caregivers are crucial in providing end-of-life care at home. Without their care, it would be difficult for many patients to die at home. In addition to providing care, family caregivers also need support for themselves. Nurses could play an important role in supporting family caregivers, but little is known about if and how they do so. The aim of this study is to explore how nurses currently approach and support family caregivers in end-of-life home care and which factors influence their support of family caregivers. Methods Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with 14 nurses from nine home care organisations in the Netherlands, in 2018. Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a thematic analysis approach. Results We identified two underlying nursing perspectives on supporting family caregivers: an instrumental perspective (seeing family caregivers mostly as collaborative partners in care) and a relational perspective (seeing family caregivers as both providing and needing support). All the interviewed nurses stated that they pay attention to family caregivers’ needs. The activities mentioned most often were: identification of support needs, practical education, support in decision-making about the patient’s treatment, emotional support, and organising respite care, such as night care, to relieve the family caregiver. The provision of support is usually based on intuition and experience, rather than on a systematic approach. Besides, nurses reported different factors at the individual, organisational and societal levels that influenced their support of family caregivers, such as their knowledge and experience, the way in which care is organised, and laws and regulations. Conclusions Nurses tend to address family caregivers’ needs, but such care was affected by various factors at different levels. There is a risk that nursing support does not meet family caregivers’ needs. A more reflective approach is needed and evidence-based needs assessment tools may help nurses to systematically assess family caregivers’ needs and to provide appropriate support.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne N Becqué
- Research Centre Innovations in Care, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Rochussenstraat 198, P.O. Box 25035, 3001, HA, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. .,Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, P.O. Box 2040, 3000, CA, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Judith A C Rietjens
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, P.O. Box 2040, 3000, CA, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Agnes van der Heide
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, P.O. Box 2040, 3000, CA, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Erica Witkamp
- Research Centre Innovations in Care, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Rochussenstraat 198, P.O. Box 25035, 3001, HA, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, P.O. Box 2040, 3000, CA, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Kristensen MS, Thygesen LC, Tay DL, Kumar R, Grønvold M, Aldridge M, Ornstein KA. Size and composition of family networks of decedents: A nationwide register-based study. Palliat Med 2021; 35:1652-1662. [PMID: 33823696 DOI: 10.1177/0269216321998602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Seriously ill individuals rely heavily on family caregivers at the end of life. Yet many do not have family support. AIM To characterize the size and composition of decedents' family networks by cause of death, demographic, clinical, socioeconomic, and geographic characteristics. DESIGN A cross-sectional population-level study with data collected from nation-wide registers. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS All adults in Denmark born between 1935 and 1998 who died of natural causes between 2009 and 2016 were linked at the time of death to living adult spouses/partners, children, siblings, parents, and grandchildren. RESULTS Among 175,755 decedents (median age: 68 years, range: 18-81 years), 61% had a partner at the time of death and 78% had at least one adult child. Ten percent of decedents had no identified living adult family members. Decedents with family had a median of five relatives. Males were more likely to have a spouse/partner (65%) than females (56%). While 93% of decedents dying of cancer had adult family, only 70% of individuals dying of dementia had adult family at the time of death. The majority of cancer decedents co-resided or lived within 30 km of family (88%), compared to only 65% of those dying from psychiatric illness. CONCLUSIONS While the majority of adults had an extensive family network at the time of death, a substantial proportion of decedents had no family, suggesting the need for non-family based long-term service and support systems. Assessment of family networks can expand our understanding of the end-of-life caregiving process and inform palliative care delivery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marie S Kristensen
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lau C Thygesen
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Djin L Tay
- College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Raj Kumar
- Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mogens Grønvold
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Melissa Aldridge
- Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Katherine A Ornstein
- Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Scott OW, Gott M, Edlin R, Moyes SA, Muru-Lanning M, Kerse N. Costs of inpatient hospitalisations in the last year of life in older New Zealanders: a cohort study. BMC Geriatr 2021; 21:514. [PMID: 34579669 PMCID: PMC8477539 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-021-02458-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rapidly ageing populations means that many people now die in advanced age. This paper investigated public hospital and long-term care home costs in the 12 months before death in Māori and non-Māori of advanced age in New Zealand. Methods Data from an existing longitudinal study (LiLACS NZ) was used, in which 937 older New Zealanders were enrolled in 2010. At the time of this study, 213 Māori and 241 non-Māori in the cohort had died. National Health Index numbers were linked to the hospitalisation National Minimum Dataset to ascertain public hospitalisation and care home costs in the last year of life. Results The average total publicly funded hospital and long-term care home costs in the 12 months prior to death were $16,211 and $17,351 for Māori and non-Māori respectively. Non-Māori tended to have long lengths of stay in their last year of life, and non-Māori men had the highest proportion with high costs and long lengths of stay in care homes. Costs in the last year of life were 8.1 times higher in comparison to costs for individuals who did not die in the same time period. Conclusion Despite New Zealand’s commitment to providing an equitable level of healthcare, this study illustrated that ethnic and gender disparities are still apparent at the end of life. This raises questions as to whether money at the end of life is being spent appropriately, and how it could potentially be more equitably targeted to meet the diverse needs of older people and their families. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-021-02458-6.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oliver W Scott
- School of Population Health, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand.
| | - Merryn Gott
- School of Nursing, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
| | - Richard Edlin
- School of Population Health, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
| | - Simon A Moyes
- School of Population Health, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
| | - Marama Muru-Lanning
- James Henare Research Centre, University of Auckland, 18 Wynyard Street, Auckland Central, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Ngaire Kerse
- School of Population Health, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Wen FH, Chou WC, Hsieh CH, Chen JS, Chang WC, Tang ST. Distinct Death-Preparedness States by Combining Cognitive and Emotional Preparedness for Death and Their Evolution for Family Caregivers of Terminally Ill Cancer Patients Over Their Last 6 Months of Life. J Pain Symptom Manage 2021; 62:503-511. [PMID: 33561490 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2021.01.131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT To identify caregivers' death-preparedness states by combining cognitive and emotional preparedness for their loved one's death as well as their evolution over cancer patients' last 6 months, which have never been explored. METHODS Death-preparedness states and their evolution were examined by hidden Markov modeling among 393 caregivers of cancer patients. RESULTS Four death-preparedness states were identified: no death preparedness, cognitive death preparedness only, emotional death preparedness only, and sufficient death preparedness. Caregivers in the no-death-preparedness state had neither accurate cognitive prognostic awareness (PA) nor adequate emotional preparedness for death. Caregivers in the sufficient-death-preparedness state reported accurate PA and adequate emotional preparedness for death. In the cognitive- and emotional-death-preparedness-only states, caregivers were accurately aware of the patient's prognosis and adequately emotionally prepared for his/her forthcoming death only, respectively. Prevalence of the sufficient-death-preparedness state fluctuated within a narrow range (40.8%-43.2%) over the patient's last six months. Proportions of caregivers decreased in the emotional-death-preparedness-only (19.5%-6.5%) and no-death-preparedness (21.0%-8.2%) states, whereas prevalence of the cognitive-death-preparedness-only state increased substantially (16.3%-44.4%) to become the most prevalent state as death approached. CONCLUSION Caregivers of cancer patients heterogeneously experienced combined cognitive and emotional preparedness for death. About 40% of caregivers consistently had sufficient death preparedness over their loved one's dying process. Evaluating these different aspects of death preparedness could be an important approach in high-quality end-of-life care by not only cultivating caregivers' cognitive PA, but also facilitating their emotional preparedness for the patient's death, thus helping caregivers prepare well for their loved one's forthcoming death.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fur-Hsing Wen
- Department of International Business, Soochow University, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chi Chou
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taiwan; Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hsun Hsieh
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taiwan; Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Shi Chen
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taiwan; Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Cheng Chang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taiwan; Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan
| | - Siew Tzuh Tang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taiwan; Chang Gung University, School of Nursing, Taiwan; Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Pollock K, Wilson E, Caswell G, Latif A, Caswell A, Avery A, Anderson C, Crosby V, Faull C. Family and health-care professionals managing medicines for patients with serious and terminal illness at home: a qualitative study. HEALTH SERVICES AND DELIVERY RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.3310/hsdr09140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
More effective ways of managing symptoms of chronic and terminal illness enable patients to be cared for, and to die, at home. This requires patients and family caregivers to manage complex medicines regimens, including powerful painkillers that can have serious side effects. Little is known about how patients and family caregivers manage the physical and emotional work of managing medicines in the home or the support that they receive from health-care professionals and services.
Objective
To investigate how patients with serious and terminal illness, their family caregivers and the health-care professionals manage complex medication regimens and routines of care in the domestic setting.
Design
A qualitative study involving (1) semistructured interviews and group discussions with 40 health-care professionals and 21 bereaved family caregivers, (2) 20 patient case studies with up to 4 months’ follow-up and (3) two end-of-project stakeholder workshops.
Setting
This took place in Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, UK.
Results
As patients’ health deteriorated, family caregivers assumed the role of a care co-ordinator, undertaking the everyday work of organising and collecting prescriptions and storing and administering medicines around other care tasks and daily routines. Participants described the difficulties of navigating a complex and fragmented system and the need to remain vigilant about medicines prescribed, especially when changes were made by different professionals. Access to support, resilience and coping capacity are mediated through the resources available to patients, through the relationships that they have with people in their personal and professional networks, and, beyond that, through the wider connections – or disconnections – that these links have with others. Health-care professionals often lacked understanding of the practical and emotional challenges involved. All participants experienced difficulties in communication and organisation within a health-care system that they felt was complicated and poorly co-ordinated. Having a key health professional to support and guide patients and family caregivers through the system was important to a good experience of care.
Limitations
The study achieved diversity in the recruitment of patients, with different characteristics relating to the type of illness and socioeconomic circumstances. However, recruitment of participants from ethnically diverse and disadvantaged or hard-to-reach populations was particularly challenging, and we were unable to include as many participants from these groups as had been originally planned.
Conclusions
The study identified two key and inter-related areas in which patient and family caregiver experience of managing medicines at home in end-of-life care could be improved: (1) reducing work and responsibility for medicines management and (2) improving co-ordination and communication in health care. It is important to be mindful of the need for transparency and open discussion about the extent to which patients and family caregivers can and should be co-opted as proto-professionals in the technically and emotionally demanding tasks of managing medicines at the end of life.
Future work
Priorities for future research include investigating how allocated key professionals could integrate and co-ordinate care and optimise medicines management; the role of domiciliary home care workers in supporting medicines management in end-of-life care; patient and family perspectives and understanding of anticipatory prescribing and their preferences for involvement in decision-making; the experience of medicines management in terminal illness among minority, disadvantaged and hard-to-reach patient groups; and barriers to and facilitators of increased involvement of community pharmacists in palliative and end-of-life care.
Funding
This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Services and Delivery Research programme and will be published in full in Health Services and Delivery Research; Vol. 9, No. 14. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristian Pollock
- School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Eleanor Wilson
- School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Glenys Caswell
- School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Asam Latif
- School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Alan Caswell
- Patient and Public Involvement Representative, Dementia, Frail Older and Palliative Care Patient and Public Involvement Advisory Group, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Anthony Avery
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Claire Anderson
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Vincent Crosby
- Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Carrasco AJP, Volberg C, Pedrosa DJ, Berthold D. Patient Safety in Palliative and End-of-Life Care: A Text Mining Approach and Systematic Review of Definitions. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2021; 38:1004-1012. [PMID: 33267627 DOI: 10.1177/1049909120971825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patient safety has gained an increasing profile as a crucial element of healthcare. However, not only is there little evidence on the relevance of the term in the palliative and end-of-life care literature but also a lack of a precise and uniform definition. METHOD With a text mining approach occurrence of the term patient safety was determined in all available abstracts of 10 palliative and end-of-life care journals. Furthermore, 4 electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and PSYCINFO) were searched supplemented by hand-searching of relevant literature to identify and conceptualize published definitions of patient safety in the palliative and end-of-life care context. Publications were independently assessed against inclusion criteria by 2 authors. RESULTS Our search of 14,351 abstracts yielded 41 hits for "patient safety" ranking 2,345 in the list of most commonly encountered tokens. We identified 11 definitions of patient safety stemming from 11 publications. Definitions differed with regard to the concept of process or outcome. They also allowed distinctive perspectives on the extent to which patient care influences patient safety. Lastly, exact wording led to discrepancies in the understanding of unsafe care and generalizability of definitions. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that patient safety has gradually gained importance in palliative and end-of-life care. However, as key elements of definientia varied considerably no consensus definition could be identified. Nevertheless, a universal definition would help to facilitate communication and exchange of information among individuals and organizations involved in palliative and end-of-life care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Christian Volberg
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive care, University Hospital of Giessen and Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - David J Pedrosa
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Giessen and Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Berthold
- Department of Clinical Oncology and Palliative Care, University Hospital of Giessen and Marburg, Giessen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Zhou S, Zhao Q, Weng H, Wang N, Wu X, Li X, Zhang L. Translation, cultural adaptation and validation of the Chinese version of the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool for family caregivers of cancer patients receiving home-based hospice care. BMC Palliat Care 2021; 20:71. [PMID: 34011333 PMCID: PMC8136129 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-021-00766-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Family caregivers need to be supported in caring for patients at the end of life, but practical tools to assess their support needs have been missing in China. So this study aimed to culturally adapt and validate the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool (CSNAT). Methods Cross-cultural adaptation of the original CSNAT for a Chinese setting was performed according to Brislin’s translation guidelines. A pilot study was conducted with 15 Chinese family caregivers of cancer patients receiving hospice home care and 5 medical staff. A cross-sectional survey of 205 family caregivers was conducted from December 2018 to May 2019 at a home-based hospice care institute in Shenzhen, China. The validation procedure comprised the establishment of (1) content validity by a group of six experts; (2) face validity by 15 family caregivers; (3) criterion validity by calculating Spearman’s correlations between the CSNAT and caregiving burden, caregiving preparedness and quality of life scales; (4) internal consistency using Cronbach’s alpha. Results The CSNAT demonstrated good face validity and good content validity. CSNAT scores showed clear positive correlations with caregiving burden and negative correlations with preparedness for caregiving and quality of life. Internal consistency was high (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.899), although such reliability testing is not recommended for this tool. Conclusions The Chinese version of the CSNAT is a valid tool that is appropriate for identifying needs of family caregivers of cancer patients in home-based hospice care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sijia Zhou
- Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Qianqian Zhao
- School of Nursing, Southern Medical University, 1023 Sha Tai South Road, Bai Yun District, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Huimin Weng
- Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Ning Wang
- School of Nursing, Southern Medical University, 1023 Sha Tai South Road, Bai Yun District, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xia Wu
- School of Nursing, Southern Medical University, 1023 Sha Tai South Road, Bai Yun District, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xinxin Li
- School of Nursing, Southern Medical University, 1023 Sha Tai South Road, Bai Yun District, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Lili Zhang
- School of Nursing, Southern Medical University, 1023 Sha Tai South Road, Bai Yun District, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Walshe C, Barnes H, Turner M, Hughes S. Constructing a new role for family carers and volunteers providing care towards the end of life: an action research approach exploring a new model of hospice care. HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY 2021; 29:837-845. [PMID: 33580991 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to understand the conceptualisation and development of a novel way of providing end-of-life care in a Cottage Hospice setting, with a focus on the role of family carers and volunteers within this care model. A participatory action research design enabled a situational analysis, together with change processes. The study setting was a hospice in the South of England, and its network of wider associates in the local health economy. Participants were purposively sampled to provide relevant information. Data collection (2017-2018) included documents (e.g., meeting minutes) and interviews (individual and group) with external (e.g., GPs) and internal (e.g., staff, managers, volunteers, patients, family carers) stakeholders. These were followed by action cycles conducted by a core action group which explored issues related to family and young carers, the relationship between the main and Cottage Hospices and workforce engagement with the change process. Iterative, inductive, thematic analysis was followed by axial coding facilitated within NVivo. Twenty-six individual and eight follow-up interviews, two group interviews and five discrete action cycles were completed. At the core was a focus on disruption of the norm of professionally provided and mediated care, with three main themes: imagining the future of Cottage Hospice (growing demand, a home-like space, innovative roles for families and volunteers); developing the role of family caregivers (making agreements, meeting needs, social inclusion and the 'unknown' expectations) and quality and safety issues (negative perceptions, personalised care and volunteer roles). Change was viewed as both a threat and an opportunity. Cottage Hospice represents the possibility of a truly new way of meeting the needs of dying people and their families, and could act as a template for progressive service developments elsewhere.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Walshe
- International Observatory on End of Life Care, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Helen Barnes
- International Observatory on End of Life Care, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Mary Turner
- Department of Nursing and Midwifery, School of Human and Health Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK
| | - Sean Hughes
- International Observatory on End of Life Care, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Tang ST, Hsieh CH, Chou WC, Chang WC, Chen JS, Wen FH. Course of Changes in Emotional Preparedness for Death and Its Associations With Caregiving Outcomes for Family Caregivers of Terminally Ill Cancer Patients Over Their Last Year of Life. J Pain Symptom Manage 2021; 61:974-982. [PMID: 32991973 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.09.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preparing family caregivers for a patient's death is an integral component of quality end-of-life care, but temporal changes in emotional preparedness for death and its associations with caregivers' psychological well-being or quality of life (QOL) while providing end-of-life caregiving are under-researched. Our study was conducted to fill this gap. METHODS For this prospective, longitudinal study, the course of changes in adequate emotional preparedness for death and its associations with severe depressive symptoms and QOL were examined on 309 consecutive caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients by univariate and multivariate generalized estimating equation analyses, respectively. RESULTS Prevalence of adequate emotional preparedness for death was 57.2%, 61.3%, 54.4%, and 46.0% at 181-365, 91-180, 31-90, and 1-30 days before the patient's death, respectively, without significant changes as the patient's death approached. Adequate emotional preparedness for death was associated with caregivers' lower likelihood of severe depressive symptoms (adjusted odds ratio [95% CI]: 0.23 [0.16, 0.32], P < 0.001) but with their better QOL (adjusted β [95% CI]: 7.65 [6.38, 8.92], P < 0.001) in the patient's last year. CONCLUSIONS Without active, effective clinical interventions to promote caregivers' emotional preparedness for death, they cannot automatically become more prepared for the patient's death over time. Adequate emotional preparedness for the patient's death benefits caregivers by its associations with a lower likelihood of depressive symptoms and better QOL. Supportive programs for caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients should focus on not only enhancing caregiving skills but also cultivating emotional preparedness for their relative's death to promote their psychological well-being and QOL.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siew Tzuh Tang
- School of Nursing, Medical College, Chang Gung University, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taiwan, ROC.
| | - Chia-Hsun Hsieh
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taiwan, ROC; Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wen-Chi Chou
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taiwan, ROC; Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wen-Cheng Chang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taiwan, ROC; Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Jen-Shi Chen
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taiwan, ROC; Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Fur-Hsing Wen
- Department of International Business, Soochow University, Taiwan, ROC
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Urwin S, Van den Berg B, Lau YS, Rowland C, Hanratty B, Grande G. The monetary valuation of informal care to cancer decedents at end-of-life: Evidence from a national census survey. Palliat Med 2021; 35:750-758. [PMID: 33478364 PMCID: PMC8022080 DOI: 10.1177/0269216321989569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Carers' end-of-life caregiving greatly benefits society but little is known about the monetary value of this care. AIM Within an end-of-life cancer setting: (1) to assess the feasibility and content validity of a post-bereavement measure of hours of care; and (2) to obtain a monetary value of this informal care and identify variation in this value among sub-groups. DESIGN AND SETTING A census based cross-sectional survey of all cancer deaths from a 2-week period in England collected detailed data on caregiving activity (10 caregiving tasks and the time spent on each). We descriptively analyse the information carers provided in 'other' tasks to inform content validity. We assigned a monetary value of caregiving via the proxy good method and examined variation in the value via regression analysis. RESULTS The majority of carers (89.9%) were able to complete the detailed questions about hours and tasks. Only 153 carers reported engaging in 'other' tasks. The monetary value of caregiving at end-of-life was £948.86 per week with social and emotional support and symptom management tasks representing the largest proportion of this monetary valuation. Time of recall did not substantially relate to variation in the monetary value, whereas there was a stronger association for the relationship between the carer and recipient, carer gender and recipient daily living restrictions. CONCLUSION The monetary valuation we produce for carers' work is substantial, for example the weekly UK Carers' Allowance only amounts to 7% of our estimated value of £948.86 per week. Our research provides further information on subgroup variation, and a valid carer time instrument and method to inform economic evaluation and policy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sean Urwin
- School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Bernard Van den Berg
- Department of Health Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yiu-Shing Lau
- School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | | | - Barbara Hanratty
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK
| | - Gunn Grande
- School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Cai Y, Simons A, Toland S, Zhang J, Zheng K. Informal caregivers' quality of life and management strategies following the transformation of their cancer caregiving role: A qualitative systematic review. Int J Nurs Sci 2021; 8:227-236. [PMID: 33997139 PMCID: PMC8105556 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnss.2021.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Globally, informal caregivers caring for cancer patients meet challenges within their caregiving role, which significantly influence their quality of life. This qualitative systematic review aimed to analyze how cancer caregiving influence the quality of life of informal caregivers and the management strategies of informal caregivers for their role as cancer caregivers. Methods Following the enhancing transparency in reporting the synthesis of qualitative research (ENTREQ) statement, Wanfang database, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, PsycARTICLES and PsycINFO, and grey literature in English and Chinese from 1 May 2009 to 31 December 2019 were searched. Quality of included studies was assessed by the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (2018) Qualitative Checklist and thematic synthesis was conducted. Results Of the 8,945 studies identified, 6 studies met the inclusion criteria. One analytical theme relating to the QoL of informal caregivers following cancer caregiving was identified: "challenges of caregiving". In terms of the management strategies to the role of cancer caregivers, two analytical themes were identified: "self-adjustment" and "seeking for formal and informal support". Conclusions Cancer caregiving influences informal caregivers' QoL significantly and informal caregivers develop diverse coping strategies to deal with the difficulties occurred while balancing the relationship between their own lives and caregiving. However, professional and policy support remain inadequate for informal caregivers that require the need for improvement in terms of health care professionals and policymakers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Cai
- Department of Chemotherapy, Jieyang People's Hospital, Jieyang, Guangdong, China
| | - Alison Simons
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Samantha Toland
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Junfeng Zhang
- Department of Nursing Administration, Dongguan Songshanhu Central Hospital, Dongguan, Guangdong, China
| | - Kexin Zheng
- Department of Mental Health, Zhuhai City Center of Chronic Disease Control, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Cai J, Zhang L, Guerriere D, Coyte PC. The determinants of the intensity of home-based informal care among cancer patients in receipt of home-based palliative care. Palliat Med 2021; 35:574-583. [PMID: 33334251 DOI: 10.1177/0269216320979277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding the determinants of the intensity of informal care may assist policy makers in the identification of supports for informal caregivers. Little is known about the utilization of informal care throughout the palliative care trajectory. AIM The purpose of this study was to analyze the intensity and determinants of the use of informal care among cancer patients over the palliative care trajectory. DESIGN This was a longitudinal, prospective cohort design conducted in Canada. Regression analysis using instrumental variables was applied. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS From November 2013 to August 2017, a total of 273 caregivers of cancer patients were interviewed biweekly over the course of the care recipient's palliative care trajectory. The outcome was the number of hours of informal care provided by unpaid caregivers, that is, hours of informal care. RESULTS The number of hours of informal care increased as patients approached death. Home-based nursing care complemented, and hence, increased the provision of informal care. Patients living alone and caregivers who were employed were associated with the provision of fewer hours of informal care. Spousal caregivers provided more hours of informal care. Patient's age, sex, and marital status, and caregiver's age, sex, marital status, and education were associated with the number of hours of informal care. CONCLUSIONS The intensity of informal care was determined by predisposing, enabling, and needs-based factors. This study provides a reference for the planning and targeting of supports for the provision of informal care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiaoli Cai
- School of Economics and Management, Beijing Jiaotong University, Haidian District, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Li Zhang
- School of Economics and Management, Beijing Jiaotong University, Haidian District, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Denise Guerriere
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Peter C Coyte
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
One Year Trajectory of Caregiver Burden in Parkinson's Disease and Analysis of Gender-Specific Aspects. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11030295. [PMID: 33652825 PMCID: PMC7996933 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11030295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a slowly progressive neurodegenerative movement disorder that leads to impairments in activities of daily living. In addition to reducing patients' quality of life, this disease also affects caregivers' well-being. Until recently, caregiver burden was mainly assessed by generic questionnaires, which do not take the characteristics of the chronic disease into consideration. In the case of PD, this issue has been addressed by the introduction of the "Parkinson's disease caregiver burden" questionnaire (PDCB). Data on longitudinal trajectories of caregiver burden are still missing in the literature. In this study, we assessed the one-year trajectory of caregiver burden by the PDCB as a disease-specific questionnaire. Further, gender-specific aspects of caregiver burden were analyzed by applying a caregiver task questionnaire. PDCB total score (n = 84 patients and caregivers) did not significantly change from baseline (30.4) to one year at follow-up (31.5). No significant difference was detected between female and male caregivers in global burden and-specific caregiver tasks. Our data showed only a mild increase of caregiver burden in the timeframe of one year. Gender-specific differences do not seem to impact-specific caregiver tasks in the presented study population.
Collapse
|
48
|
Spiro S, Ward A, Sixsmith J, Graham A, Varvel S. The Cost of Visit-based Home Care for up to Two Weeks in the Last Three Months of Life: APilot Study of Community Care Based at a Hospice-at-home Service in South East of England. J Community Health Nurs 2020; 37:203-213. [PMID: 33150810 DOI: 10.1080/07370016.2020.1809856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The cost of visit-based community care based around a 24/7 hospice-at-home (HatH) service in the last 3 months of life was assessed. Thirty families completed a health and social carediary of at-home visits over two-weeks following contact with the HatH night service. Diaries captured 333 days of care provision, averaging 11 diary days per family, 708 health care professional and carer visits, lasting 604 hours at a cost of £20,192 ($24,946). Hat H care, integrated with community support, seems an economic proposition but highlights the complexities of assessing cost of end of life care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Spiro
- Hospice at Home, Rennie Grove Hospice Care , Tring, UK
| | - Alison Ward
- Faculty of Health, Education and Society, University of Northampton , Northampton, UK
| | - Judith Sixsmith
- School of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Dundee , Dundee, UK
| | - Anne Graham
- Hospice at Home, Rennie Grove Hospice Care , Tring, UK
| | - Sue Varvel
- Hospice at Home, Rennie Grove Hospice Care , Tring, UK
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Higginson IJ, Yi D, Johnston BM, Ryan K, McQuillan R, Selman L, Pantilat SZ, Daveson BA, Morrison RS, Normand C. Associations between informal care costs, care quality, carer rewards, burden and subsequent grief: the international, access, rights and empowerment mortality follow-back study of the last 3 months of life (IARE I study). BMC Med 2020; 18:344. [PMID: 33138826 PMCID: PMC7606031 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-020-01768-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND At the end of life, formal care costs are high. Informal care (IC) costs, and their effects on outcomes, are not known. This study aimed to determine the IC costs for older adults in the last 3 months of life, and their relationships with outcomes, adjusting for care quality. METHODS Mortality follow-back postal survey. SETTING Palliative care services in England (London), Ireland (Dublin) and the USA (New York, San Francisco). PARTICIPANTS Informal carers (ICrs) of decedents who had received palliative care. DATA ICrs reported hours and activities, care quality, positive aspects and burdens of caregiving, and completed the Texas Revised Inventory of Grief (TRIG). ANALYSIS All costs (formal, informal) were calculated by multiplying reported hours of activities by country-specific costs for that activity. IC costs used country-specific shadow prices, e.g. average hourly wages and unit costs for nursing care. Multivariable logistic regression analysis explored the association of potential explanatory variables, including IC costs and care quality, on three outcomes: positive aspects and burdens of caregiving, and subsequent grief. RESULTS We received 767 completed surveys, 245 from London, 282 Dublin, 131 New York and 109 San Francisco. Most respondents were women (70%); average age was 60 years. On average, patients received 66-76 h per week from ICrs for 'being on call', 52-55 h for ICrs being with them, 19-21 h for personal care, 17-21 h for household tasks, 15-18 h for medical procedures and 7-10 h for appointments. Mean (SD) IC costs were as follows: USA $32,468 (28,578), England $36,170 (31,104) and Ireland $43,760 (36,930). IC costs accounted for 58% of total (formal plus informal) costs. Higher IC costs were associated with less grief and more positive perspectives of caregiving. Poor home care was associated with greater caregiver burden. CONCLUSIONS Costs to informal carers are larger than those to formal care services for people in the last three months of life. If well supported ICrs can play a role in providing care, and this can be done without detriment to them, providing that they are helped. Improving community palliative care and informal carer support should be a focus for future investment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irene J Higginson
- Department of Palliative Care, Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy & Rehabilitation, King's College London, Bessemer Road, London, SE5 9PJ, UK. .,King's College Hospital Foundation Trust, Bessemer Road, London, SE5 9PJ, UK.
| | - Deokhee Yi
- Department of Palliative Care, Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy & Rehabilitation, King's College London, Bessemer Road, London, SE5 9PJ, UK.
| | - Bridget M Johnston
- The Centre of Health Policy and Management, Trinity College Dublin, Room 0.21, 3-4 Foster Place, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Karen Ryan
- Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Eccles Street, Dublin 7, Ireland
| | | | - Lucy Selman
- Department of Palliative Care, Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy & Rehabilitation, King's College London, Bessemer Road, London, SE5 9PJ, UK.,Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Stephen Z Pantilat
- Palliative Care Program, Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Barbara A Daveson
- Department of Palliative Care, Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy & Rehabilitation, King's College London, Bessemer Road, London, SE5 9PJ, UK
| | - R Sean Morrison
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Charles Normand
- Department of Palliative Care, Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy & Rehabilitation, King's College London, Bessemer Road, London, SE5 9PJ, UK.,The Centre of Health Policy and Management, Trinity College Dublin, Room 0.21, 3-4 Foster Place, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Guerriere D, Husain A, Marshall D, Zagorski B, Kennedy J, Coyte PC. Transitions in Labour Force Participation over the Palliative Care Trajectory. Healthc Policy 2020; 16:25-40. [PMID: 33337312 PMCID: PMC7710958 DOI: 10.12927/hcpol.2020.26355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Home-based palliative programs rely on family caregivers, who often miss time from employment. This article identified changes in caregivers' labour force participation over the palliative trajectory. METHODS Family caregivers (n = 262) were interviewed biweekly to measure transitions across four employment categories. RESULTS More than half of the caregivers had one employment transition and 29% had three or more. The highest proportion of transitions occurred for caregivers who were employed part-time. INTERPRETATION Understanding these transitions is critical to the development of strategies tailored to caregivers to contain labour force losses and to support caregivers during a time of high caregiving demands.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Denise Guerriere
- Adjunct Professor, Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
| | - Amna Husain
- Clinician Scientist, Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care, Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON
| | - Denise Marshall
- Medical Director, Niagara West Palliative Care Team and McNally House Hospice, Grimsby, ON; Professor, Department of Family Medicine, Division of Palliative Care, David Braley Health Sciences Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON
| | - Brandon Zagorski
- Adjunct Professor, Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
| | - Julia Kennedy
- Consultant, Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
| | - Peter C Coyte
- Professor of Health Economics, Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
| |
Collapse
|