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McCaffrey N, Ratcliffe J, Currow D, Engel L, Hutchinson C. What Aspects of Quality of Life are Important from Palliative Care Patients' Perspectives? A Framework Analysis to Inform Preference-Based Measures for Palliative and End-of-Life Settings. THE PATIENT 2024; 17:39-52. [PMID: 37975965 DOI: 10.1007/s40271-023-00651-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Preference-based outcome measures are commonly applied in economic analyses to inform healthcare resource allocation decisions. Few preference-based outcome measures have been specifically developed for palliative and end-of-life settings. This study aimed to identify which quality-of-life domains are most important to Australians receiving specialised palliative care services to help determine if the development of a new condition-specific preference-based outcome measure is warranted. METHODS In-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted with 18 participants recruited from palliative care services in South Australia. Data were analysed using a framework analysis drawing on findings from a systematic review of international qualitative studies investigating the quality-of-life preferences of patients receiving palliation (domains identified included cognitive, emotional, healthcare, personal autonomy, physical, preparatory, social, spiritual). Participants identified missing or irrelevant domains in the EQ-5D and QLU-C10D questionnaires and ranked the importance of domains. RESULTS A priori domains were refined into cognitive, environmental, financial, independence, physical, psychological, social and spiritual. The confirmation of the eight important quality-of-life domains across multiple international studies suggests there is a relatively high degree of convergence on the perspectives of patients in different countries. Four domains derived from the interviews are not covered by the EQ-5D and QLU-C10D (cognitive, environmental, financial, spiritual), including one of the most important (spiritual). CONCLUSIONS Existing, popular, preference-based outcome measures such as the EQ-5D do not incorporate the most important, patient-valued, quality-of-life domains in the palliative and end-of-life settings. Development of a new, more relevant and comprehensive preference-based outcome measure could improve the allocation of resources to patient-valued services and have wide applicability internationally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikki McCaffrey
- Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin Health Economics, SHSD, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia.
| | - Julie Ratcliffe
- Caring Futures Institute, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - David Currow
- Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Lidia Engel
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Claire Hutchinson
- Caring Futures Institute, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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2
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Aoun SM, Bear N, Rumbold B. The compassionate communities connectors program: effect on healthcare usage. Palliat Care Soc Pract 2023; 17:26323524231205323. [PMID: 37901153 PMCID: PMC10612440 DOI: 10.1177/26323524231205323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Public health approaches to palliative and end-of-life care focus on enhancing the integration of services and providing a comprehensive approach that engages the assets of local communities. However, few studies have evaluated the relative costs and benefits of providing care using these service models. Objectives To assess the effect on healthcare usage of a community-based palliative care program ('Compassionate Communities Connectors') where practical and social support was delivered by community volunteers to people living with advanced life-limiting illnesses in regional Western Australia. Design Controlled before-and-after study/Cost-consequence analysis. Methods A total of 43 community-based patients participated in the program during the period 2020-2022. A comparator population of 172 individuals with advanced life-limiting illnesses was randomly selected from usage data from the same set of health services. Results Relative to controls, the intervention group had lower hospitalizations per month [Incidence rate ratio (IRR): 0.37; 95% CI: 0.18-0.77, p = 0.007], less hospital days per month (IRR: 0.23; 95% CI: 0.11-0.49, p < 0.001) and less emergency presentations (IRR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.34-0.94, p = 0.028. The frequency of outpatient contacts overall was two times higher for the intervention group (IRR: 2.07; 95% CI: 1.11-3.86, p = 0.022), indicating the Connector program may have shifted individuals away from the hospital system and toward community-based care. Estimated net savings of $AUD 518,701 would be achieved from adopting the Connector program, assuming enrollment of 100 patients over an average 6-month participation period. Conclusion This combined healthcare usage and economic analysis of the 'Compassionate Communities Connectors' program demonstrates the benefits of optimizing palliative care services using home-based and community-centered interventions, with gains for the health system through improved patient outcomes and reduced total healthcare costs (including fewer hospitalizations and readmissions). These findings, coupled with the other published results, suggest that investment in the Connectors program has the capacity to reduce net health sector expenditure while also improving outcomes for people with life-limiting illnesses. Trial Registration Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry: ACTRN12620000326998.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samar M. Aoun
- School of Medicine, Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, The University of Western Australia, 8 Verdun St, Perth WA 6009, Australia
| | - Natasha Bear
- Institute of Health Research, University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, WA, Australia
| | - Bruce Rumbold
- La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Perth, WA, Australia
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Firth AM, Lin CP, Yi DH, Goodrich J, Gaczkowska I, Waite F, Harding R, Murtagh FE, Evans CJ. How is community based 'out-of-hours' care provided to patients with advanced illness near the end of life: A systematic review of care provision. Palliat Med 2023; 37:310-328. [PMID: 36924146 PMCID: PMC10126468 DOI: 10.1177/02692163231154760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deaths in the community are increasing. However, community palliative care out-of-hours is variable. We lack detailed understanding of how care is provided out-of-hours and the associated outcomes. AIM To review systematically the components, outcomes and economic evaluation of community-based 'out-of-hours' care for patients near the end of life and their families. DESIGN Mixed method systematic narrative review. Narrative synthesis, development and application of a typology to categorise out-of-hours provision. Qualitative data were synthesised thematically and integrated at the level of interpretation and reporting. DATA SOURCES Systematic review searching; MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL from January 1990 to 1st August 2022. RESULTS About 64 publications from 54 studies were synthesised (from 9259 retrieved). Two main themes were identified: (1) importance of being known to a service and (2) high-quality coordination of care. A typology of out-of-hours service provision was constructed using three overarching dimensions (service times, focus of team delivering the care and type of care delivered) resulting in 15 categories of care. Only nine papers were randomised control trials or controlled cohorts reporting outcomes. Evidence on effectiveness was apparent for providing 24/7 specialist palliative care with both hands-on clinical care and advisory care. Only nine publications reported economic evaluation. CONCLUSIONS The typological framework allows models of out-of-hours care to be systematically defined and compared. We highlight the models of out-of-hours care which are linked with improvement of patient outcomes. There is a need for effectiveness and cost effectiveness studies which define and categorise out-of-hours care to allow thorough evaluation of services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice M Firth
- King's College London, Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, London, UK
| | - Cheng-Pei Lin
- King's College London, Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, London, UK.,Institute of Community Health Care, College of Nursing, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei
| | - Deok Hee Yi
- King's College London, Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, London, UK
| | - Joanna Goodrich
- King's College London, Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, London, UK
| | - Inez Gaczkowska
- King's College London, Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, London, UK
| | - Frances Waite
- King's College London, Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, London, UK
| | - Richard Harding
- King's College London, Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, London, UK
| | - Fliss Em Murtagh
- King's College London, Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, London, UK.,University of Hull, Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre, Hull, UK
| | - Catherine J Evans
- King's College London, Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, London, UK
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4
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McCaffrey N, Cheah SL, Luckett T, Phillips JL, Agar M, Davidson PM, Boyle F, Shaw T, Currow DC, Lovell M. Treatment patterns and out-of-hospital healthcare resource utilisation by patients with advanced cancer living with pain: An analysis from the Stop Cancer PAIN trial. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282465. [PMID: 36854021 PMCID: PMC9974128 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND About 70% of patients with advanced cancer experience pain. Few studies have investigated the use of healthcare in this population and the relationship between pain intensity and costs. METHODS Adults with advanced cancer and scored worst pain ≥ 2/10 on a numeric rating scale (NRS) were recruited from 6 Australian oncology/palliative care outpatient services to the Stop Cancer PAIN trial (08/15-06/19). Out-of-hospital, publicly funded services, prescriptions and costs were estimated for the three months before pain screening. Descriptive statistics summarize the clinico-demographic variables, health services and costs, treatments and pain scores. Relationships with costs were explored using Spearman correlations, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests, and a gamma log-link generalized linear model. RESULTS Overall, 212 participants had median worst pain scores of five (inter-quartile range 4). The most frequently prescribed medications were opioids (60.1%) and peptic ulcer/gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) drugs (51.6%). The total average healthcare cost in the three months before the census date was A$6,742 (95% CI $5,637, $7,847), approximately $27,000 annually. Men had higher mean healthcare costs than women, adjusting for age, cancer type and pain levels (men $7,872, women $4,493, p<0.01) and higher expenditure on prescriptions (men $5,559, women $2,034, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS In this population with pain and cancer, there was no clear relationship between healthcare costs and pain severity. These treatment patterns requiring further exploration including the prevalence of peptic ulcer/GORD drugs, and lipid lowering agents and the higher healthcare costs for men. TRIAL REGISTRATION ACTRN12615000064505. World Health Organisation unique trial number U1111-1164-4649. Registered 23 January 2015.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikki McCaffrey
- Deakin Health Economics, Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood Campus, Burwood, VIC, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Seong Leang Cheah
- Faculty of Health, IMPACCT (Improving Palliative, Aged and Chronic Care through Clinical Research and Translation Sydney), University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tim Luckett
- Faculty of Health, IMPACCT (Improving Palliative, Aged and Chronic Care through Clinical Research and Translation Sydney), University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jane L. Phillips
- Faculty of Health, IMPACCT (Improving Palliative, Aged and Chronic Care through Clinical Research and Translation Sydney), University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Health, School of Nursing, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove Brisbane, Queensland
| | - Meera Agar
- Faculty of Health, IMPACCT (Improving Palliative, Aged and Chronic Care through Clinical Research and Translation Sydney), University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Patricia M. Davidson
- Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Frances Boyle
- Patricia Ritchie Centre for Cancer Care and Research, Mater Hospital North Sydney, and University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tim Shaw
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - David C. Currow
- Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Melanie Lovell
- Department of Palliative Care, HammondCare, Greenwich Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Northern Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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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: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [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.
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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
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6
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Schildmann E, Hodiamont F, Leidl R, Maier BO, Bausewein C. Which Reimbursement System Fits Inpatient Palliative Care? A Qualitative Interview Study on Clinicians' and Financing Experts' Experiences and Views. J Palliat Med 2019; 22:1378-1385. [PMID: 31210558 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2019.0028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Context: Internationally, a variety of reimbursement systems exists for palliative care (PC). In Germany, PC units (PCUs) may choose between per-diem rates and diagnosis-related groups (DRGs). Both systems are controversially discussed. Objectives: To explore the experiences and views of German PCU clinicians and experts for PCU financing regarding per-diem rates and DRGs as reimbursement systems with a focus on (1) cost coverage, (2) strengths and weaknesses of both financing systems, and (3) options for further development of funding PCUs. Design: Qualitative semistructured interviews with PCU clinicians and experts for PCU financing, analyzed by thematic analysis using the Framework approach. Setting/Subjects/Measurements: Ten clinicians and 13 experts for financing were interviewed June-October 2015 on both reimbursement systems for PCU. Results: Interviewees had divergent experiences with both reimbursement systems regarding cost coverage. A described strength of per-diem rates was the perceived possibility of individual care without direct financial pressure. The nationwide variation of per-diem rates and the lack of quality standards were named as weaknesses. DRGs were criticized for incentives perceived as perverse and inadequate representation of PC-specific procedures. However, the quality standards for PCUs required within the German DRG system were described as important strength. Suggestions for improvement of the funding system pointed toward a combination of per-diem rates with a grading according to disease severity/complexity of care. Conclusions: Expert opinions suggest that neither current DRGs nor per-diem rates are ideal for funding of PCUs. Suggested improvements regarding adequate funding of PCUs resemble and supplement international developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Schildmann
- Department of Palliative Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Farina Hodiamont
- Department of Palliative Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Reiner Leidl
- Institute of Health Economics and Health Care Management, Helmholtz Zentrum Munich-German Research Center for Environmental Health, Munich, Germany.,Munich School of Management, Institute of Health Economics and Health Care Management, Munich Center of Health Sciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Bernd Oliver Maier
- Department for Palliative Medicine and Interdisciplinary Oncology, St. Josef-Hospital, Wiesbaden, Germany
| | - Claudia Bausewein
- Department of Palliative Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES Uncontrolled pain in advanced cancer is a common problem and has significant impact on individuals' quality of life and use of healthcare resources. Interventions to help manage pain at the end of life are available, but there is limited economic evidence to support their wider implementation. We conducted a case study economic evaluation of two pain self-management interventions (PainCheck and Tackling Cancer Pain Toolkit [TCPT]) compared with usual care. METHODS We generated a decision-analytic model to facilitate the evaluation. This modelled the survival of individuals at the end of life as they moved through pain severity categories. Intervention effectiveness was based on published meta-analyses results. The evaluation was conducted from the perspective of the U.K. health service provider and reported cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). RESULTS PainCheck and TCPT were cheaper (respective incremental costs -GBP148 [-EUR168.53] and -GBP474 [-EUR539.74]) and more effective (respective incremental QALYs of 0.010 and 0.013) than usual care. There was a 65 percent and 99.5 percent chance of cost-effectiveness for PainCheck and TCPT, respectively. Results were relatively robust to sensitivity analyses. The most important driver of cost-effectiveness was level of pain reduction (intervention effectiveness). Although cost savings were modest per patient, these were considerable when accounting for the number of potential intervention beneficiaries. CONCLUSIONS Educational and monitoring/feedback interventions have the potential to be cost-effective. Economic evaluations based on estimates of effectiveness from published meta-analyses and using a decision modeling approach can support commissioning decisions and implementation of pain management strategies.
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McCaffrey N, Flint T, Kaambwa B, Fazekas B, Rowett D, Currow DC, Hardy J, Agar MR, Quinn S, Eckermann S. Economic evaluation of the randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of subcutaneous ketamine in the management of chronic cancer pain. Palliat Med 2019; 33:74-81. [PMID: 30269638 DOI: 10.1177/0269216318801754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: Treating chronic, uncontrolled, cancer pain with subcutaneous ketamine in patients unresponsive to opioids and co-analgesics remains controversial, especially in light of recent evidence demonstrating ketamine does not have net clinical benefit in this setting. Aim: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of subcutaneous ketamine versus placebo in this patient population. Design and setting: A within-trial cost-effectiveness analysis of the Australian Palliative Care Clinical Studies Collaborative’s randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of ketamine was conducted from a healthcare provider perspective. Mean costs and outcomes were estimated from participant-level data over 5 days including positive response, health-related quality of life (HrQOL) measured with the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy–Palliative Care (FACIT-Pal), ketamine costs, medication usage and in-patient stays. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in responder rates, but higher toxicity and worse HrQOL for ketamine participants (mean change −3.10 (standard error (SE) 1.76), ketamine n = 93; 4.53 (SE 1.38), placebo n = 92). Estimated total mean costs were AU$706 higher per ketamine participant (AU$6608) compared with placebo (AU$5902), attributable to the cost of higher in-patient costs as well as costs of ketamine administration. The results were robust to sensitivity analyses accounting for different medication use costing methods and removal of cost outliers. Conclusion: The findings suggest subcutaneous ketamine in conjunction with opioids and standard adjuvant therapy is neither an effective nor cost-effective treatment for refractory pain in advanced cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikki McCaffrey
- 1 Deakin Health Economics, Centre for Population Health Research and School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia.,2 Palliative and Supportive Services, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | | | | | - Belinda Fazekas
- 2 Palliative and Supportive Services, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Debra Rowett
- 5 Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park and School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - David C Currow
- 2 Palliative and Supportive Services, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,6 Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Janet Hardy
- 7 Department of Palliative and Supportive Care, Mater Health Services, Mater Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Meera R Agar
- 8 Liverpool Hospital, South West Sydney Local Health District and University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Steve Quinn
- 9 Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Simon Eckermann
- 10 Australian Health Services Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
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9
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Adusumilli P, Nayak L, Viswanath V, Digumarti L, Digumarti RR. Palliative care and end-of-life measure outcomes: Experience of a tertiary care institute from South India. South Asian J Cancer 2018; 7:210-213. [PMID: 30112344 PMCID: PMC6069332 DOI: 10.4103/sajc.sajc_257_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Desisting from disease directed treatment in the past weeks of life is a quality criterion in oncology service. Patients with advanced cancer have unrealistic expectations from chemotherapy and hold on to it as a great source of hope. Many oncologists continue futile and unnecessary treatments, instead of conveying to the patients the lack of benefit, resulting in delayed referral for palliative care (PC). MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a retrospective analysis of case records from June 2014 to December 2015. The primary objective was to study, how far back in time terminally ill cancer patients received definitive cancer directed therapy (DCDT). Apart from patient demographics, the diagnosis, stage, and details of DCDT, and death were captured. PC referral data were recorded. DCDT to death was taken as treatment-free interval (TFI). Analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20. RESULTS A total of 292 case records were evaluated. Seventy-three had inadequate treatment details. Hence, 219 records were analyzed. PC referral was done in 78.5% of patients. Only best supportive care (BSC) without any DCDT was given in 27 patients. The most common reason for BSC was a poor performance status in 92.5%. The median time from PC referral till death was 43.5 days (range: 1-518 days). Chemotherapy was the most common DCDT in 52.9% of patients. The median time from DCDT and death was 49 days (range: 0-359 days). Cervical and ovarian cancers patients had the longest TFI; shortest in unknown primary. Most patients died at home (70.4%). Patients receiving PC preferred home or hospice as place of death. Of the 80 patients given hospice care, 39 (36.5%) died in the hospice. CONCLUSION While DCDT needs to be started at the right time, it should also be discontinued when futile. Early involvement of the PC team, even while patients are on DCDT makes the transition smoother and more meaningful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praveen Adusumilli
- Department of Medical Oncology, Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Aganampudi, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Lingaraj Nayak
- Department of Medical Oncology, Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Aganampudi, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Vidya Viswanath
- Department of Palliative Medicine, Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Aganampudi, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Leela Digumarti
- Department of Gynaec Oncology, Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Aganampudi, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Raghunadha Rao Digumarti
- Department of Medical Oncology, Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Aganampudi, Andhra Pradesh, India
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10
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McCaffrey N, Eckermann S. Raise the Bar, Not the Threshold Value: Meeting Patient Preferences for Palliative and End-of-Life Care. PHARMACOECONOMICS - OPEN 2018; 2:93-95. [PMID: 29623615 PMCID: PMC5972111 DOI: 10.1007/s41669-017-0039-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nikki McCaffrey
- Deakin Health Economics, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC, 3125, Australia.
| | - Simon Eckermann
- Centre for Health Service Development, Australian Health Services Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
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11
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Hofmeister M, Memedovich A, Dowsett LE, Sevick L, McCarron T, Spackman E, Stafinski T, Menon D, Noseworthy T, Clement F. Palliative care in the home: a scoping review of study quality, primary outcomes, and thematic component analysis. BMC Palliat Care 2018. [PMID: 29514620 PMCID: PMC5842572 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-018-0299-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The aim of palliative care is to improve the quality of life of patients and families through the prevention and relief of suffering. Frequently, patients may choose to receive palliative care in the home. The objective of this paper is to summarize the quality and primary outcomes measured within the palliative care in the home literature. This will synthesize the current state of the literature and inform future work. Methods A scoping review was completed using PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EconLit, PsycINFO, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, and National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database were searched from inception to August 2016. Inclusion criteria included: 1) care was provided in the “home of the patient” as defined by the study, 2) outcomes were reported, and 3) reported original data. Thematic component analysis was completed to categorize interventions. Results Fifty-three studies formed the final data set. The literature varied extensively. Five themes were identified: accessibility of healthcare, caregiver support, individualized patient centered care, multidisciplinary care provision, and quality improvement. Primary outcomes were resource use, symptom burden, quality of life, satisfaction, caregiver distress, place of death, cost analysis, or described experiences. The majority of studies were of moderate or unclear quality. Conclusions There is robust literature of varying quality, assessing different components of palliative care in the home interventions, and measuring different outcomes. To be meaningful to patients, these interventions need to be consistently evaluated with outcomes that matter to patients. Future research could focus on reaching a consensus for outcomes to evaluate palliative care in the home interventions. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12904-018-0299-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Hofmeister
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Teaching Research and Wellness Building, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada.,O'Brien Institute for Public Health, Health Technology Assessment Unit, Teaching Research and Wellness Building, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Ally Memedovich
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Teaching Research and Wellness Building, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada.,O'Brien Institute for Public Health, Health Technology Assessment Unit, Teaching Research and Wellness Building, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Laura E Dowsett
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Teaching Research and Wellness Building, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada.,O'Brien Institute for Public Health, Health Technology Assessment Unit, Teaching Research and Wellness Building, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Laura Sevick
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Teaching Research and Wellness Building, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Tamara McCarron
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Teaching Research and Wellness Building, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada.,O'Brien Institute for Public Health, Health Technology Assessment Unit, Teaching Research and Wellness Building, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Eldon Spackman
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Teaching Research and Wellness Building, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada.,O'Brien Institute for Public Health, Health Technology Assessment Unit, Teaching Research and Wellness Building, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Tania Stafinski
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 3-300 Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, 11405-87 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 1C9, Canada
| | - Devidas Menon
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 3-300 Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, 11405-87 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 1C9, Canada
| | - Tom Noseworthy
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Teaching Research and Wellness Building, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada.,O'Brien Institute for Public Health, Health Technology Assessment Unit, Teaching Research and Wellness Building, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Fiona Clement
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Teaching Research and Wellness Building, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada. .,O'Brien Institute for Public Health, Health Technology Assessment Unit, Teaching Research and Wellness Building, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada.
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Ghoshal A, Damani A, Salins N, Deodhar J, Muckaden MA. Economics of Palliative and End-of-Life Care in India: A Concept Paper. Indian J Palliat Care 2017; 23:456-461. [PMID: 29123355 PMCID: PMC5661351 DOI: 10.4103/ijpc.ijpc_51_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Only a few studies have assessed the economic outcomes of palliative care in India. The major areas of interest include hospice care, the process and structure of care, symptom management, and palliative chemotherapy compared to best supportive care. At present, there is no definite health-care system followed in India. Medical bankruptcy is common. In situations where patients bear most of the costs, medical decision-making might have significant implications on economics of health care. Game theory might help in deciphering the underlying complexities of decision-making when considered as a two person nonzero sum game. Overall, interdisciplinary communication and cooperation between health economists and palliative care team seem necessary. This will lead to enhanced understanding of the challenges faced by each other and hopefully help develop ways to create meaningful, accurate, and reliable health economic data. These results can then be used as powerful advocacy tools to convince governments to allocate more funds for the cause of palliative care. Eventually, this will save overall costs and avoid unnecessary health-care spending.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arunangshu Ghoshal
- Department of Palliative Medicine, Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Anuja Damani
- Department of Palliative Medicine, Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Naveen Salins
- Department of Palliative Medicine, Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Jayita Deodhar
- Department of Palliative Medicine, Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - M A Muckaden
- Department of Palliative Medicine, Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
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Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Environmental Toxicants: Epigenetics as an Underlying Mechanism. Int J Genomics 2017; 2017:7526592. [PMID: 28567415 PMCID: PMC5439185 DOI: 10.1155/2017/7526592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 04/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders, especially autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), calls for more research into the identification of etiologic and risk factors. The Developmental Origin of Health and Disease (DOHaD) hypothesizes that the environment during fetal and childhood development affects the risk for many chronic diseases in later stages of life, including neurodevelopmental disorders. Epigenetics, a term describing mechanisms that cause changes in the chromosome state without affecting DNA sequences, is suggested to be the underlying mechanism, according to the DOHaD hypothesis. Moreover, many neurodevelopmental disorders are also related to epigenetic abnormalities. Experimental and epidemiological studies suggest that exposure to prenatal environmental toxicants is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. In addition, there is also evidence that environmental toxicants can result in epigenetic alterations, notably DNA methylation. In this review, we first focus on the relationship between neurodevelopmental disorders and environmental toxicants, in particular maternal smoking, plastic-derived chemicals (bisphenol A and phthalates), persistent organic pollutants, and heavy metals. We then review studies showing the epigenetic effects of those environmental factors in humans that may affect normal neurodevelopment.
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