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Zheng H, Cheng Q, Xu X, Yan Y, Luo G, Gong Y, Chen Y. Development of care quality indicators for palliative care in China: A modified Delphi method study. Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs 2023; 10:100324. [PMID: 38106440 PMCID: PMC10724491 DOI: 10.1016/j.apjon.2023.100324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective While there are limited studies addressing palliative care quality in China, the availability of an effective set of care quality indicators is scarce. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive set of quality indicators for palliative care in China. Methods Conducting a systematic literature search across databases and guideline websites from inception to October 2020, combined with qualitative interviews, we established a preliminary pool of indicators. Subsequently, two rounds of Delphi expert consultation surveys were administered to 19 multidisciplinary experts (specializing in clinical nursing/medicine, nursing/medicine management, and health care administration, as well as those engaged in teaching and research) from 12 provinces in Mainland China (three each from North, East, and South China, and four from Central China) via email from March to June 2021. The analytic hierarchy process was employed to determine indicator weights. Results Both rounds of expert consultation yielded a 100% positive coefficient, with expert authority coefficient values of 0.91 and 0.93, respectively. Kendall coefficient of concordance values for the two rounds were 0.148 and 0.253 (P < 0.001), indicating consensus among experts. Consequently, 71 quality indicators deemed important in the Chinese palliative care setting were identified, comprising 22 structure indicators, 35 process indicators, and 14 outcome indicators. Conclusions This study established an evidence-based set of quality indicators, addressing previously unmet needs and providing a novel approach to assessing and monitoring palliative care quality. Furthermore, ongoing refinement and integration with the evolving social context are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongling Zheng
- Nursing Department, Hunan Cancer Hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Nursing Department, Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Qinqin Cheng
- Pain Management Department, Hunan Cancer Hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xianghua Xu
- Health Service Center, Hunan Cancer Hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yixia Yan
- Nursing Department, Hunan Cancer Hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ge Luo
- Nursing Department, Hunan Cancer Hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Youwen Gong
- Nursing Department, Hunan Cancer Hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yongyi Chen
- Hospital Office, Hunan Cancer Hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Bradley NM, Dowrick CF, Lloyd-Williams M. A survey of hospice day services in the United Kingdom & Republic of Ireland : how did hospices offer social support to palliative care patients, pre-pandemic? Palliat Care 2022; 21:170. [PMID: 36195870 PMCID: PMC9532229 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-022-01061-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Social support is described by patients and other stakeholders to be a valuable component of palliative day care. Less is known about the range of hospice services that have been used in practice that facilitate social support. An online survey aimed to gain an overview of all hospice day services that facilitated social support for adults outside of their own homes. METHODS An online survey was distributed via email to people involved in managing hospice day services. Questions were asked on hospice characteristics, including staff and volunteer roles. Respondents were asked to identify services they felt offered social support to patients. Data collection took place between August 2017 and May 2018. RESULTS Responses were received from 103 hospices in the UK and ROI (response rate 49.5%). Results provide an overview of hospice day and outpatient services that offer social support to patients. These are: multi-component interventions, activity groups, formal support groups, befriending, and informal social activities. Multi-component interventions, such as palliative day care, were the most commonly reported. Their stated aims tend to focus on clinical aspects, but many survey respondents considered these multicomponent interventions to be the 'most social' service at their hospice. The survey also identified a huge variety of activity groups, as well as formal therapeutic support groups. Informal 'social-only' activities were present, but less common. Over a third of all the services were described as 'drop in'. Most responding hospices did not routinely use patient reported outcome measures in their 'most social' services. CONCLUSIONS The survey documents hospice activity in facilitating social support to be diverse and evolving. At the time of data collection, many hospices offered multiple different services by which a patient might obtain social support outside of their own home and in the presence of other patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- N M Bradley
- Research Fellow in Realist Evaluation, Centre for Health & Clinical Research, University of the West of England, Glenside Campus, BS16 1DD., Bristol, United Kingdom.
| | - C F Dowrick
- Emeritus Professor, Department of Primary Care and Mental Health, University of Liverpool, Waterhouse Building, L69 3BX., Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - M Lloyd-Williams
- Professor & Honorary Consultant in Palliative Medicine, Department of Primary Care and Mental Health, University of Liverpool, Waterhouse Building, L69 3BX, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Understanding public attitudes to death talk and advance care planning in Northern Ireland using health behaviour change theory: a qualitative study. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:906. [PMID: 35524295 PMCID: PMC9077935 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13319-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Advance care planning is a key preparatory step in ensuring high-quality palliative and end of life care, and should be considered as a process, beginning with community-level conversations among lay persons. There is, however, indication that death talk among community-dwelling adults is not occurring, and there is a dearth of research examining why this is the case. This study aims to provide the first examination of barriers and facilitators to talking about death and dying among the general population in a UK region (Northern Ireland), and to provide a novel application of health behaviour change theory towards developing a theoretical understanding of the sources of this behaviour. METHODS The study involved qualitative analysis of responses (n = 381 participants) to two open-ended questions within a cross-sectional online survey, with recruitment via social media of adults currently living in Northern Ireland. Reflexive thematic analysis was conducted on open text responses per question, with the barriers and facilitators mapped on to health behaviour change models (the Behaviour Change Wheel COM-B and the Theoretical Domains Framework). RESULTS The findings evidence a myriad of barriers and facilitators to engaging in death talk, with themes aligning to areas such as lack of acceptance of death in social contexts and fear of upsetting self or others, and a need to improve interpersonal communication skills for facilitating conversations and improve knowledge of the existing services around death and dying. A theoretical understanding of the drivers of death talk is presented with findings mapped across most components of the COM-B Behaviour Change Model and the Theoretical Domains Framework. CONCLUSIONS This study contributes to a small but emergent research area examining barriers and facilitators to talking about death and dying. Findings from this study can be used to inform new public health programmes towards empowering adults to have these conversations with others in their community towards upstreaming advance care planning.
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Ware O, McPherson ML, Barclay JS, Blackhall L, Emmett CP, Hilliard R, Schenker Y, Shega JW, Guralnik J, Cagle JG. Recommendations for Preventing Medication Diversion and Misuse in Hospice Care: A Modified Delphi Study. J Pain Symptom Manage 2021; 62:1175-1187. [PMID: 34119618 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2021.06.004] [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] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Recommendations are needed to help minimize the risks of medication diversion and misuse in the hospice setting. OBJECTIVE To identify recommendations that could help prevent medication diversion and misuse in hospice care. METHODS A modified Delphi method was utilized. An interdisciplinary panel of ten experts engaged in three phases of online and in-person voting regarding recommendations. Consensus for recommendations required a minimum of 80% endorsement by the panel experts. After two rounds of voting and several rounds of informal voting, 15 total recommendations were endorsed. RESULTS Fifteen recommendations achieved at least 80% endorsement during the final round of voting. Each of the following recommendation topics received ≥ 80% endorsement, the need to balance prevention efforts with quality care, screening clinical job candidates, family education and screening, medication monitoring, responding to missing/diverted medications, and medication disposal. Panelists rated the Patient & Family Education recommendation as most important (M = 9.7; SD = 0.7) followed closely by Responding to Medication Diversion or Misuse (M = 9.5; SD = 1.1). CONCLUSION These recommendations were created by experts in the field to reduce the risk of medication diversion and misuse. Further steps towards implementation may appropriately reduce these risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orrin Ware
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Joshua S Barclay
- University of Virginia Health System, School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Leslie Blackhall
- University of Virginia Health System, School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Russell Hilliard
- Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
| | - Yael Schenker
- University of Pittsburgh, Division of General Internal Medicine, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Joseph W Shega
- Vitas Healthcare, Miami, Florida, USA; University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Jack Guralnik
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - John G Cagle
- University of Maryland School of Social Work, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
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Abu-Odah H, Molassiotis A, Liu JYW. Global palliative care research (2002-2020): bibliometric review and mapping analysis. BMJ Support Palliat Care 2021; 12:376-387. [PMID: 34373283 PMCID: PMC9691821 DOI: 10.1136/bmjspcare-2021-002982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Background and objective Despite the important benefits of a bibliometric approach on mapping a research field, relatively little efforts have previously been conducted to map and analyse the global trends of palliative care (PC)-related research. This bibliometric review aimed to provide an overall picture and systematic mapping of the state of research trends within the field of PC internationally. Methods Scopus and Web of Science databases were searched to retrieve original articles focusing on PC between 2002 and 2020. Searching was conducted on 5 May 2020, and was updated on 6 May 2021. All retrieved articles were assessed by title and abstract, and the bibliometric metadata of those that met the inclusion criteria were downloaded for analysis. The results were analysed by VOSviewer and Gephi software. Results A total of 19,199 articles met the inclusion criteria. Significant growth of the number of published articles was reported by around five-fold from 2002 to 2020. The USA and UK were the most productive countries in terms of the number of papers published and citations. Weak collaborations were observed between low-income or middle-income countries and high-income countries. Cancer-related PC research was the most common focus. Seven clusters of research were identified and included heart failure and cancer prognosis, nursing home, pain and symptoms management, PC knowledge and attitudes, quality improvement of services, PC ethics, and the ongoing assessment of PC services. Conclusions There is a need to expand PC-related research to non-cancer diseases. More international research and cross-institutional cooperation is required to address more global PC issues and benefit from wider sharing of expertees, potentially leading to higher quality or more impactful studies. Setting up research agendas and priorities from funding bodies and institutions may also enhance cooperation among researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hammoda Abu-Odah
- School of Nursing,The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Alex Molassiotis
- School of Nursing,The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Justina Yat Wa Liu
- School of Nursing,The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
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Downie S, Cherry J, Hall P, Stillie A, Moran M, Sudlow C, Simpson AHR. Metastatic bone disease: new quality performance indicator development. BMJ Support Palliat Care 2021:bmjspcare-2021-003025. [PMID: 34130998 DOI: 10.1136/bmjspcare-2021-003025] [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: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Patients with metastatic bone disease (MBD) should receive the same standard of care regardless of which centre they are treated in. The aim was to develop and test a set of quality performance indicators (QPIs) to evaluate care for patients with MBD referred to orthopaedics. METHODS QPIs were adapted from the literature and ranked on feasibility and necessity during a modified RAND/Delphi consensus process. They were then validated and field tested in a retrospective cohort of 108 patients using indicator-specific targets set during consensus. RESULTS 2568 articles including six guidelines were reviewed. 43 quality objectives were extracted and 40 proceeded to expert consensus. After two rounds, 18 QPIs for MBD care were generated, with the following generating the highest consensus: 'Patients with high fracture risk should receive urgent assessment' (combined mean 6.7/7, 95% CI 6.5 to 6.8) and 'preoperative workup should include full blood tests including group and save' (combined mean 6.7/7, 95% CI 6.5 to 6.9). In the pilot test, targets were met for 5/18 QPIs (mean 52%, standard deviation 22%). The median deviation from projected target was -14% (interquartile range -11% to -31%, range -74% to 11%). The highest scoring QPI was 'adults with fractures should have surgery within 7 days' (target 80%:actual 92%). CONCLUSIONS The published evidence and guidelines were adapted into a set of validated QPIs for MBD care which can be used to evaluate variation in care between centres. These QPIs should be correlated with outcome scores to determine whether they can act as predictors of outcome after surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Downie
- Trauma & Orthopaedics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Peter Hall
- University of Edinburgh Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | | | - Cathie Sudlow
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
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Hasson F, Jordan J, McKibben L, Graham-Wisener L, Finucane A, Armour K, Zafar S, Hewison A, Brazil K, Kernohan WG. Challenges for palliative care day services: a focus group study. BMC Palliat Care 2021; 20:11. [PMID: 33435954 PMCID: PMC7802306 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-020-00699-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Palliative care day services provide a safe environment for people with palliative care needs, enabling them to access a range of services while acting as a respite services for family caregivers. Viewed as marginal services, they are often under resourced and under researched. The aim of this study was to understand how palliative day care services contribute to client care from the perspective of management and hospice multidisciplinary teams. METHODS A descriptive qualitative study, using six focus groups conducted with staff at three United Kingdom hospices in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Thirty-five participants were recruited, including management and staff. Discussions were transcribed and analysed thematically. RESULTS Four key themes emerged: (1) variations of care, beyond heterogeneity of patients; (2) unclear referrals and inconsistent patient population; (3) recognising strengths and challenges and (4) an uncertain future. A major focus of group discussions was the model of care and the benefits of the service, however the importance of demonstrating services' effectiveness and value for money was highlighted. CONCLUSIONS Management and hospice staff believed day-services to be a helpful introduction to palliative care, providing both social and medical support. Economic pressures and patient demand were influencing them to move from a social model to a hybrid model. Further research is needed to understand the effectiveness of the service.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicity Hasson
- Ulster University, Institute of Nursing and Health Research, Shore Road, Newtownabbey, BT37 0QB, Northern Ireland.
| | - Joanne Jordan
- Ulster University, Institute of Nursing and Health Research, Shore Road, Newtownabbey, BT37 0QB, Northern Ireland
| | - Laurie McKibben
- Ulster University, Institute of Nursing and Health Research, Shore Road, Newtownabbey, BT37 0QB, Northern Ireland
| | - Lisa Graham-Wisener
- School of Psychology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT7 1NN, Northern Ireland
| | - Anne Finucane
- Marie Curie Hospice, Frogston Road West, Edinburgh, EH10 7DR, Scotland
| | - Kathy Armour
- Marie Curie Hospice, Marsh Lane Solihull, West Midlands, B91 2PQ, England
| | - Shazia Zafar
- University of Birmingham, Institute of Clinical Sciences, School of Nursing, College of Medical & Dental Services, Birmingham, BT15 2TT, England
| | - Alistair Hewison
- University of Birmingham, Institute of Clinical Sciences, School of Nursing, College of Medical & Dental Services, Birmingham, BT15 2TT, England
| | - Kevin Brazil
- School of Nursing and Midwifery Centre for Evidence and Social Innovation, Queens University, Belfast, BT7 1NN, Northern Ireland
| | - W George Kernohan
- Ulster University, Institute of Nursing and Health Research, Shore Road, Newtownabbey, BT37 0QB, Northern Ireland
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Graham-Wisener L, Dempster M, Sadler A, McCann L, McCorry NK. Validation of the Distress Thermometer in patients with advanced cancer receiving specialist palliative care in a hospice setting. Palliat Med 2021; 35:120-129. [PMID: 32912055 PMCID: PMC7797615 DOI: 10.1177/0269216320954339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ongoing assessment of psychological reaction to illness in palliative and end of life care settings is recommended, yet validated tools are not routinely used in clinical practice. The Distress Thermometer is a short screening tool developed for use in oncology, to detect individuals who would benefit from further psychological assessment. However the optimal cut-off to detect indicative psychological morbidity in patients with advanced cancer receiving specialist palliative care is unclear. AIM To provide the first validation of the Distress Thermometer in an advanced cancer population receiving specialist palliative care in a UK hospice setting. DESIGN Receiver Operating Characteristics analysis was used to compare the sensitivity and specificity of cut-offs indicative of psychological morbidity on the Distress Thermometer in comparison to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS Data were derived from 202 patients with advanced cancer who were approached on admission to inpatient or day hospice care, with 139 patients providing complete data on both measures. RESULTS The area under the curve was optimal using a Distress Thermometer cut-off score of ⩾6 for total distress and for anxiety, and a cut-off score of ⩾4 optimal when screening for depression. CONCLUSIONS The Distress Thermometer is a valid, accurate screening tool to be used in advanced cancer but with caution in relation to the lack of specificity. With little variation between the area under the curve scores, arguably a Distress Thermometer cut-off score of ⩾5 is most appropriate in screening for all types of psychological morbidity if sensitivity is to be prioritised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Graham-Wisener
- Centre for Improving Health-Related Quality of Life, School of Psychology, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Martin Dempster
- Centre for Improving Health-Related Quality of Life, School of Psychology, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | | | - Luke McCann
- South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, Downpatrick, UK
| | - Noleen K McCorry
- Centre of Excellence in Public Health, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, UK
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Selecting home care quality indicators based on the Resident Assessment Instrument-Home Care (RAI-HC) for Switzerland: A public health and healthcare providers' perspective. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0244577. [PMID: 33378348 PMCID: PMC7773259 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite an increasing importance of home care, quality assurance in this healthcare sector in Switzerland is hardly established. In 2010, Swiss home care quality indicators (QIs) based on the Resident Assessment Instrument-Home Care (RAI-HC) were developed. However, these QIs have not been revised since, although internationally new RAI-HC QIs have emerged. The objective of this study was to assess the appropriateness of RAI-HC QIs to measure quality of home care in Switzerland from a public health and healthcare providers’ perspective. Methods First, the appropriateness of RAI-HC QIs, identified in a recent systematic review, was assessed by a multidisciplinary expert panel based on the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method taking into account indicators’ public health relevance, potential of influence, and comprehensibility. Second, the QIs selected by the experts were afterwards rated regarding their relevance, potential of influence, and practicability from a healthcare providers’ perspective in focus groups with home care nurses based on the Nominal-Group-Technique. Data were analyzed using median scores and the Disagreement Index. Results 18 of 43 RAI-HC QIs were rated appropriate by the experts from a public health perspective. The 18 QIs cover clinical, psychosocial, functional and service use aspects. Seven of the 18 QIs were subsequently rated appropriate by home care nurses from a healthcare providers’ perspective. The focus of these QIs is narrow, because three of seven QIs are pain-related. From both perspectives, the majority of RAI-HC QIs were rated inappropriate because of insufficient potential of influence, with healthcare providers rating them more critically. Conclusions The study shows that the appropriateness of RAI-HC QIs differs according to the stakeholder perspective and the intended use of QIs. The findings of this study can guide policy-makers and home care organizations on selecting QIs and to critically reflect on their appropriate use.
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Mitchell PM, Coast J, Myring G, Ricciardi F, Vickerstaff V, Jones L, Zafar S, Cudmore S, Jordan J, McKibben L, Graham-Wisener L, Finucane AM, Hewison A, Haraldsdottir E, Brazil K, Kernohan WG. Exploring the costs, consequences and efficiency of three types of palliative care day services in the UK: a pragmatic before-and-after descriptive cohort study. BMC Palliat Care 2020; 19:119. [PMID: 32767979 PMCID: PMC7412842 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-020-00624-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Palliative Care Day Services (PCDS) offer supportive care to people with advanced, progressive illness who may be approaching the end of life. Despite the growth of PCDS in recent years, evidence of their costs and effects is scarce. It is important to establish the value of such services so that health and care decision-makers can make evidence-based resource allocation decisions. This study examines and estimates the costs and effects of PCDS with different service configurations in three centres across the UK in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Methods People who had been referred to PCDS were recruited between June 2017 and September 2018. A pragmatic before-and-after descriptive cohort study design analysed data on costs and outcomes. Data on costs were collected on health and care use in the 4 weeks preceding PCDS attendance using adapted versions of the Client Service Receipt Inventory (CSRI). Outcomes, cost per attendee/day and volunteer contribution to PCDS were also estimated. Outcomes included quality of life (MQOL-E), health status (EQ-5D-5L) and capability wellbeing (ICECAP-SCM). Results Thirty-eight attendees were recruited and provided data at baseline and 4 weeks (centre 1: n = 8; centre 2: n = 8, centre 3: n = 22). The cost per attendee/day ranged from £121–£190 (excluding volunteer contribution) to £172–£264 (including volunteer contribution) across the three sites. Volunteering constituted between 28 and 38% of the total cost of PCDS provision. There was no significant mean change at 4 week follow-up from baseline for health and care costs (centre 1: £570, centre 2: -£1127, centre 3: £65), or outcomes: MQOL-E (centre 1: − 0.48, centre 2: 0.01, centre 3: 0.24); EQ-5D-5L (centre 1: 0.05, centre 2: 0.03, centre 3: − 0.03) and ICECAP-SCM (centre 1:0.00, centre 2: − 0.01, centre 3: 0.03). Centre costs variation is almost double per attendee when attendance rates are held constant in scenario analysis. Conclusions This study highlights the contribution made by volunteers to PCDS provision. There is insufficient evidence on whether outcomes improved, or costs were reduced, in the three different service configurations for PCDS. We suggest how future research may overcome some of the challenges we encountered, to better address questions of cost-effectiveness in PCDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Mark Mitchell
- Health Economics Bristol, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
| | - Joanna Coast
- Health Economics Bristol, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Gareth Myring
- Health Economics Bristol, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Federico Ricciardi
- Department of Statistical Science, University College London, London, UK
| | - Victoria Vickerstaff
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, University College London, London, UK
| | - Louise Jones
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, University College London, London, UK
| | - Shazia Zafar
- School of Nursing, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Sarah Cudmore
- Division of Nursing, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, UK.,Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Joanne Jordan
- School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - Laurie McKibben
- Institute of Nursing and Health Research, Ulster University, Newtownabbey, UK
| | - Lisa Graham-Wisener
- Marie Curie Hospice, Belfast and School of Psychology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Anne M Finucane
- Marie Curie Hospice, Edinburgh and Usher Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Alistair Hewison
- School of Nursing, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Erna Haraldsdottir
- Division of Nursing, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, UK.,St Columba's Hospice, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Kevin Brazil
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - W George Kernohan
- Institute of Nursing and Health Research, Ulster University, Newtownabbey, UK
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