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Frydman JL, Hauck K, Lowy J, Gelfman LP. Improving the Care of Patients With Serious Illness: What Are the Palliative Care Education Needs of Internal Medicine Residents? Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2021; 38:1218-1224. [PMID: 33478256 PMCID: PMC9979276 DOI: 10.1177/1049909120987207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hospitalized patients with serious illness have significant symptom burden and face complex medical decisions that often require goals of care discussions. Given the shortage of specialty palliative care providers, there is a pressing need to improve the palliative care skills of internal medicine (IM) residents, who have a central role in the care of seriously ill patients hospitalized at academic medical centers. METHODS We conducted an anonymous survey of IM residents at a large, urban, academic medical center to identify which aspects of palliative care trainees find most important and their knowledge gaps in palliative care. The survey measured trainees' self-assessed degree of importance and knowledge of core palliative care skills and evaluated frequency of completing advance care planning documentation. RESULTS Overall, 51 (23%) IM residents completed the survey. The majority of trainees considered multiple palliative care skills to be "very important/important": symptom management, prognostication, introducing the palliative care approach, discussing code status, and breaking serious news. Across these same skills, trainees reported variable levels of knowledge. In our sample, trainees reported completing healthcare proxy forms and Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment infrequently. CONCLUSIONS IM trainees rated core palliative care skills as important to their practice. Yet, they reported knowledge gaps across multiple core palliative care skills that should be addressed given their role as frontline providers for patients with serious illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia L. Frydman
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
| | - Kevin Hauck
- Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine
| | - Joseph Lowy
- Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine
| | - Laura P. Gelfman
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
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Nedjat-Haiem FR, Cadet TJ, Parada H, Mishra SI, Bullock K. A National Survey of Social Workers Focusing on Attitudes, Knowledge, and Practice Behaviors for Educating Patients About Advance Directives: Implication During COVID19. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2021; 39:737-744. [PMID: 34409873 DOI: 10.1177/10499091211038503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Social workers have a critical role on medical teams for facilitating effective conversations about advance care planning (ACP) in palliative and end-of-life care. Engaging patients in such conversations may be influenced by clinicians' attitudes. During the COVID19 pandemic, the need to examine barriers to serious illness care across healthcare settings and areas of specialty practice became abundantly clear. This study examines: (1) social workers' attitudes about ACP and (2) factors that influence the completion of advance directives (ADs). Using a cross-sectional study design, we surveyed 142 social workers on their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to ADs. Using exploratory factor analyses, we identified 2 provider practice attitudes factors, 3 perceived barriers factors, and 2 perceived importance of AD factors. We then used logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each of the factors in association with the frequency social workers reported educating patients about ADs. While various positive and negative attitudes and barriers toward educating patients are important factors to consider, social workers' perceptions of the importance of engaging patients in ACP education was the most important factor that influenced their behaviors. The odds of always/often (vs. sometimes/rarely/never) educating patients about ADs in their practice were greater for those social workers who reported they see the importance of AD decision-making (OR = 3.21, 95%CI = 1.83-5.62) and confirming goals-of-care (OR = 1.76, 95%CI = 1.03-3.01). Social worker's ACP knowledge and skills for educating patients are important in initiating conversations prior to a health crisis, especially important for developing a comprehensive care plan.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tamara J Cadet
- School of Social Work, Simmons University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Humberto Parada
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Shiraz I Mishra
- University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Karen Bullock
- School of Social Work, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
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Bible KC, Kebebew E, Brierley J, Brito JP, Cabanillas ME, Clark TJ, Di Cristofano A, Foote R, Giordano T, Kasperbauer J, Newbold K, Nikiforov YE, Randolph G, Rosenthal MS, Sawka AM, Shah M, Shaha A, Smallridge R, Wong-Clark CK. 2021 American Thyroid Association Guidelines for Management of Patients with Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer. Thyroid 2021; 31:337-386. [PMID: 33728999 PMCID: PMC8349723 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2020.0944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 254] [Impact Index Per Article: 84.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Background: Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a rare but highly lethal form of thyroid cancer. Since the guidelines for the management of ATC by the American Thyroid Association were first published in 2012, significant clinical and scientific advances have occurred in the field. The aim of these guidelines is to inform clinicians, patients, and researchers on published evidence relating to the diagnosis and management of ATC. Methods: The specific clinical questions and topics addressed in these guidelines were based on prior versions of the guidelines, stakeholder input, and input of the Task Force members (authors of the guideline). Relevant literature was reviewed, including serial PubMed searches supplemented with additional articles. The American College of Physicians Guideline Grading System was used for critical appraisal of evidence and grading strength of recommendations. Results: The guidelines include the diagnosis, initial evaluation, establishment of treatment goals, approaches to locoregional disease (surgery, radiotherapy, targeted/systemic therapy, supportive care during active therapy), approaches to advanced/metastatic disease, palliative care options, surveillance and long-term monitoring, and ethical issues, including end of life. The guidelines include 31 recommendations and 16 good practice statements. Conclusions: We have developed evidence-based recommendations to inform clinical decision-making in the management of ATC. While all care must be individualized, such recommendations provide, in our opinion, optimal care paradigms for patients with ATC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith C. Bible
- Division of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Electron Kebebew
- Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - James Brierley
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Juan P. Brito
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Maria E. Cabanillas
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia & Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | - Antonio Di Cristofano
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Robert Foote
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Thomas Giordano
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jan Kasperbauer
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Kate Newbold
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Fulham Road, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yuri E. Nikiforov
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Gregory Randolph
- Division of Thyroid and Parathyroid Endocrine Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - M. Sara Rosenthal
- Program for Bioethics and Markey Cancer Center Oncology Ethics Program, Departments Internal Medicine, Pediatrics and Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Anna M. Sawka
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Manisha Shah
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Ashok Shaha
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
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Franklin AE, Rhee J, Raymond B, Clayton JM. Incorporating an advance care planning screening tool into routine health assessments with older people. Aust J Prim Health 2020; 26:240-246. [PMID: 32327028 DOI: 10.1071/py19195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
General practice is arguably the ideal setting to initiate advance care planning (ACP), but there are many barriers. This pilot study was designed to assess the feasibility, acceptability and perceived utility of a nurse-facilitated screening interview to initiate ACP with older patients in general practice. Patients were recruited from four general practices in Sydney, Australia. General practice nurses administered the ACP screening interview during routine health assessments. Patients and nurses completed a follow-up questionnaire consisting of questions with Likert responses, as well as open-ended questions. Descriptive statistics and content analysis were used to analyse the data. Twenty-four patients participated; 17 completed the follow-up questionnaire. All patients found the ACP screening interview useful and most felt it would encourage them to discuss their wishes further with their family and general practitioner. Several patients were prompted to consider legally appointing their preferred substitute decision-maker. All six participating nurses found the screening interview tool useful for initiating discussions about ACP and substitute decision-making. This nurse facilitated screening tool provides a simple, acceptable and feasible approach to introducing ACP to older general practice patients during routine health assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail E Franklin
- Palliative and Supportive Care Service, HammondCare, Greenwich Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
| | - Joel Rhee
- School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Australia and General Practitioner, Centre for Positive Ageing and Care, HammondCare, Hammondville, Sydney, NSW 2170, Australia
| | - Bronwyn Raymond
- Centre for Learning and Research in Palliative Care, HammondCare, Greenwich Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
| | - Josephine M Clayton
- Palliative and Supportive Care Service, HammondCare, Greenwich Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia; and Centre for Learning and Research in Palliative Care, HammondCare, Greenwich Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia; and Northern Clinical School and Kolling Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia; and Corresponding author.
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Nedjat-Haiem FR, Cadet TJ, Amatya A, Mishra SI. Healthcare Providers' Attitudes, Knowledge, and Practice Behaviors for Educating Patients About Advance Directives: A National Survey. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2018; 36:387-395. [PMID: 30486655 DOI: 10.1177/1049909118813720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Advance care planning for end-of-life care emerged in the mid-1970's to address the need for tools, such as the advance directive (AD) legal document, to guide medical decision-making among seriously ill patients, their families, and healthcare providers. OBJECTIVE: Study aims examine providers' perspectives on AD education that involve examining (1) a range of attitudes about educating patients, (2) whether prior knowledge was associated with practice behaviors in educating patients, and (3) specific factors among healthcare providers such as characteristics of work setting, knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors that may influence AD education and documentation. DESIGN: To examine providers' views, we conducted a cross-sectional, online survey questionnaire of healthcare providers using social media outreach methods for recruitment. METHODS: This study used a cross-sectional survey design to examine the proposed aims. Healthcare providers, recruited through a broad approach using snowball methods, were invited to participate in an online survey. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine providers' views toward AD education. RESULTS: Of 520 participants, findings indicate that most healthcare providers said that they were knowledgeable about AD education. They also viewed providing education as beneficial to their practice. These findings suggest that having a positive attitude toward AD education and experiencing less organizational barriers indicate a higher likelihood that providers will educate patients regarding ADs. CONCLUSION: Various disciplines are represented in this study, which indicates that attitudes and knowledge influence AD discussions. The importance of AD discussions initiated by healthcare providers is critical to providing optimal patient-centered care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tamara J Cadet
- 2 School of Social Work, Simmons College, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anup Amatya
- 3 Department of Public Health Sciences, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, USA
| | - Shiraz I Mishra
- 4 School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, Las Cruces, NM, USA
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Silvester W, Parslow RA, Lewis VJ, Fullam RS, Sjanta R, Jackson L, White V, Hudson R. Development and evaluation of an aged care specific Advance Care Plan. BMJ Support Palliat Care 2013; 3:188-95. [PMID: 23626906 PMCID: PMC3632978 DOI: 10.1136/bmjspcare-2012-000392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Objectives To report on the quality of advance care planning (ACP) documents in use in residential aged care facilities (RACF) in areas of Victoria Australia prior to a systematic intervention; to report on the development and performance of an aged care specific Advance Care Plan template used during the intervention. Design An audit of the quality of pre-existing documentation used to record resident treatment preferences and end-of-life wishes at participating RACFs; development and pilot of an aged care specific Advance Care Plan template; an audit of the completeness and quality of Advance Care Plans completed on the new template during a systematic ACP intervention. Participants and setting 19 selected RACFs (managed by 12 aged care organisations) in metropolitan and regional areas of Victoria. Results Documentation in use at facilities prior to the ACP intervention most commonly recorded preferences regarding hospital transfer, life prolonging treatment and personal/cultural/religious wishes. However, 7 of 12 document sets failed to adequately and clearly specify the resident's preferences as regards life prolonging medical treatment. The newly developed aged care specific Advance Care Plan template was met with approval by participating RACFs. Of 203 Advance Care Plans completed on the template throughout the project period, 49% included the appointment of a Medical Enduring Power of Attorney. Requests concerning medical treatment were specified in almost all completed documents (97%), with 73% nominating the option of refusal of life-prolonging treatment. Over 90% of plans included information concerning residents’ values and beliefs, and future health situations that the resident would find to be unacceptable were specified in 78% of completed plans. Conclusions Standardised procedures and documentation are needed to improve the quality of processes, documents and outcomes of ACP in the residential aged care sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Silvester
- Respecting Patient Choices, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
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Boddy J, Chenoweth L, McLennan V, Daly M. It’s just too hard! Australian health care practitioner perspectives on barriers to advance care planning. Aust J Prim Health 2013; 19:38-45. [DOI: 10.1071/py11070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2011] [Accepted: 12/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
This article presents findings from six focus groups with health care practitioners in an Australian hospital during 2010, which sought to elicit their perspectives on the barriers for people to plan their future health care should they become unwell. Such knowledge is invaluable in overcoming the barriers associated with advance care planning and enhancing the uptake of advance directives and the appointment of an enduring power of attorney for people of all ages. A person’s rights to self-determination in health care, including decision making about their wishes for future care in the event they lose cognitive capacity, should not be overlooked against the backdrop of increasing pressure on health care systems. Findings suggest that multiple barriers exist, from practitioners’ perspectives, which can be divided into three major categories, namely: patient-centred, practitioner-centred and system-centred barriers. Specifically, patient-centred barriers include lack of knowledge, accessibility concerns, the small ‘window of opportunity’ to discuss advance care planning, emotional reactions and avoidance when considering one’s mortality, and demographic influences. At the practitioner level, barriers relate to a lack of knowledge and uncertainty around advance care planning processes. Systemically, legislative barriers (including a lack of a central registry and conflicting state legislation), procedural issues (particularly in relation to assessing cognitive capacity and making decisions ad hoc) and questions about delegation, roles and responsibilities further compound the barriers to advance care planning.
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Burkle CM, Mueller PS, Swetz KM, Hook CC, Keegan MT. Physician perspectives and compliance with patient advance directives: the role external factors play on physician decision making. BMC Med Ethics 2012; 13:31. [PMID: 23171364 PMCID: PMC3528447 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6939-13-31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2012] [Accepted: 11/15/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Following passage of the Patient Self Determination Act in 1990, health care institutions that receive Medicare and Medicaid funding are required to inform patients of their right to make their health care preferences known through execution of a living will and/or to appoint a surrogate-decision maker. We evaluated the impact of external factors and perceived patient preferences on physicians' decisions to honor or forgo previously established advance directives (ADs). In addition, physician views regarding legal risk, patients' ability to comprehend complexities involved with their care, and impact of medical costs related to end-of-life care decisions were explored. METHODS Attendees of two Mayo Clinic continuing medical education courses were surveyed. Three scenarios based in part on previously court-litigated matters assessed impact of external factors and perceived patient preferences on physician compliance with patient-articulated wishes regarding resuscitation. General questions measured respondents' perception of legal risk, concerns over patient knowledge of idiosyncrasies involved with their care, and impact medical costs may have on compliance with patient preferences. Responses indicating strength of agreement or disagreement with statements were treated as ordinal data and analyzed using the Cochran Armitage trend test. RESULTS Three hundred eighty-eight of 951 surveys were completed (41% response rate). Eighty percent reported they were likely to honor a patient's AD despite its 5 year age. Fewer than half (41%) would honor the AD of a patient in ventricular fibrillation who had expressed a desire to "pass away in peace." Few (17%) would forgo an AD following a family's request for continued resuscitative treatment. A majority (52%) considered risk of liability to be lower when maintaining someone alive against their wishes than mistakenly failing to provide resuscitative efforts. A large percentage (74%) disagreed that patients could not appreciate complexities surrounding their care while 69% agreed that costs should never impact a physician's decision as to whether to comply with a patient's AD. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight the impact, albeit small, external factors have on physician AD compliance. Most respondents based their decision on the clinical situation at hand and interpretation of the patient's initial wishes and preferences expressed by the AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M Burkle
- Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Paul S Mueller
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Keith M Swetz
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - C Christopher Hook
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Mark T Keegan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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Smallridge RC, Ain KB, Asa SL, Bible KC, Brierley JD, Burman KD, Kebebew E, Lee NY, Nikiforov YE, Rosenthal MS, Shah MH, Shaha AR, Tuttle RM. American Thyroid Association guidelines for management of patients with anaplastic thyroid cancer. Thyroid 2012; 22:1104-39. [PMID: 23130564 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2012.0302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 476] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a rare but highly lethal form of thyroid cancer. Rapid evaluation and establishment of treatment goals are imperative for optimum patient management and require a multidisciplinary team approach. Here we present guidelines for the management of ATC. The development of these guidelines was supported by the American Thyroid Association (ATA), which requested the authors, members the ATA Taskforce for ATC, to independently develop guidelines for ATC. METHODS Relevant literature was reviewed, including serial PubMed searches supplemented with additional articles. The quality and strength of recommendations were adapted from the Clinical Guidelines Committee of the American College of Physicians, which in turn was developed by the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation workshop. RESULTS The guidelines include the diagnosis, initial evaluation, establishment of treatment goals, approaches to locoregional disease (surgery, radiotherapy, systemic therapy, supportive care during active therapy), approaches to advanced/metastatic disease, palliative care options, surveillance and long-term monitoring, and ethical issues including end of life. The guidelines include 65 recommendations. CONCLUSIONS These are the first comprehensive guidelines for ATC and provide recommendations for management of this extremely aggressive malignancy. Patients with stage IVA/IVB resectable disease have the best prognosis, particularly if a multimodal approach (surgery, radiation, systemic therapy) is used, and some stage IVB unresectable patients may respond to aggressive therapy. Patients with stage IVC disease should be considered for a clinical trial or hospice/palliative care, depending upon their preference.
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Liaschenko J, Peden-McAlpine C, Andrews GJ. Institutional geographies in dying: nurses' actions and observations on dying spaces inside and outside intensive care units. Health Place 2011; 17:814-21. [PMID: 21478045 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2011.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2010] [Revised: 03/06/2011] [Accepted: 03/10/2011] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
This paper articulates the geographies associated with intensive care nursing work with dying patients and their families. Six focus groups were conducted with 27 registered critical care nurses who practice in hospitals in a mid-western city in the United States. The analysis is structured by three emerging themes (i) the importance of a 'good' and 'sacred' place, (ii) the body as mapped by medical specialties, and (iii) problems with procedurally driven suspension of 'do not resuscitate' orders beyond intensive care units (ICUs). Recommendations describe the need for institutional recognition of the moral importance of strong relationships between nurses, clients, and their families, and nurses' wide-ranging roles in bridging the various spatial domains of intensive care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Liaschenko
- University of Minnesota, Center for Bioethics and School of Nursing, 410 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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