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Sarmiento G, Benavides J, Trujillo CA, Velosa NP, Palomino A, Rodríguez LF, Erazo MA, Ávila AJ. Evaluation of the Concept of Value-Based Healthcare Applied to an Integrated Palliative Care Program in Colombia. Value Health Reg Issues 2024; 43:101009. [PMID: 38861787 DOI: 10.1016/j.vhri.2024.101009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the "Value-Based Healthcare" concept of an integrated palliative care (PC) program in Bogotá, Colombia, through the measurement of health outcomes and care costs in the last 3 months of life. METHODS A multicenter, retrospective cohort study that included patients ≥18 years old who died in 2020 due to medical conditions amenable to PC. The measured health outcomes included pain, wellbeing, comfort, quality of life (QOL), and satisfaction. We analyzed the behavior of overall care costs during the last 3 months of the patients' lives and controlled for the effect of exposure to the program, considering the disease type and insurance coverage, using a linear regression model, nearest-neighbor matching, and sensitivity analysis. RESULTS Among patients exposed to the program, the mean pain score was 2.1/10 (± 1.3) and wellbeing was rated at 3.5/10 (± 1.0), comfort at 1.6/24 (± 1.3), QOL at 3.6/5.0 (± 0.17), and satisfaction at 9.3/100 (± 0.15). The positive changes in these scores were greater for patients who remained in the program for over 3 months. Cost reduction was demonstrated in the last 90 days of life, with statistically significant and chronologically progressive savings during the last 30 days of life exceeding 5 million pesos per patient (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated the success of PC in reducing pain, improving wellbeing and QOL, providing comfort, and ensuring high levels of satisfaction. Moreover, PC is an effective value-based healthcare strategy and can significantly enhance the efficiency of healthcare services by reducing end-of-life healthcare costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Sarmiento
- Clinica Colsanitas, Fundación Universitaria Sanitas, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia.
| | | | - Carlos A Trujillo
- Universidad de los Andes, School of Management, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia
| | | | | | - Luisa F Rodríguez
- Palliative Homecare Program, E.P.S. Sanitas S.A., Bogotá, D.C., Colombia
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Chen L, Sleeman KE, Bradshaw A, Sakharang W, Mo Y, Ellis-Smith C. The Use of Person-Centered Outcome Measures to Support Integrated Palliative Care for Older People: A Systematic Review. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2024; 25:105036. [PMID: 38796168 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2024.105036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim was to synthesize evidence on the use of person-centered outcome measures to facilitate integrated palliative care for older people and build a logic model depicting the mechanisms through which person-centered outcome measures support integrated care. DESIGN Mixed methods systematic review using a data-based convergent synthesis design. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Older people aged ≥60 years who are approaching the end of their lives in multiple settings. METHODS The study was underpinned by a conceptual framework of integrated palliative care, which informed the search strategy, data extraction, analysis, and synthesis. A hybrid search strategy was implemented, with database searches (PsycINFO, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and ASSIA) complemented by snowball searches. Qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed by narrative synthesis to summarize and explain the findings. The findings informed a logic model depicting the mechanisms of using person-centered outcome measures to support integrated palliative care. RESULTS Twenty-six studies were included. Three mixed methods studies, 2 qualitative studies, and 21 quantitative studies were included. There was evidence that person-centered outcome measures could support integrated palliative care through informing palliative care policy development (n = 4), facilitating joint working across settings (n = 5), enabling close collaboration of multidisciplinary teams (n = 14), promoting joint education (n = 1), facilitating timing and specialist referral (n = 6), and enhancing patient-centered care (n = 3). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS This review makes an important, novel, and theoretically informed contribution to the delivery of scalable and sustainable integrated palliative care into the care of older people using person-centered outcome measures. The constructed logic model provides a conceptual framework and practical approach to how person-centered outcome measures support multilevel integration. A future area of research is the development of person-centered outcome measure interventions informed by the logic model to meet clinical needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linghui Chen
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Katherine E Sleeman
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andy Bradshaw
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Wilailak Sakharang
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yihan Mo
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Clare Ellis-Smith
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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Ernsth Bravell M, Johansson L. Need and importance of reflections of dignity at the end of life for nursing students. Evid Based Nurs 2024:ebnurs-2024-103972. [PMID: 38866429 DOI: 10.1136/ebnurs-2024-103972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Linda Johansson
- Institute of Gerontology, Jonkoping University, Jonkoping, Sweden
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Mani RK, Bhatnagar S, Butola S, Gursahani R, Mehta D, Simha S, Divatia JV, Kumar A, Iyer SK, Deodhar J, Bhat RS, Salins N, Thota RS, Mathur R, Iyer RK, Gupta S, Kulkarni P, Murugan S, Nasa P, Myatra SN. Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine and Indian Association of Palliative Care Expert Consensus and Position Statements for End-of-life and Palliative Care in the Intensive Care Unit. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024; 28:200-250. [PMID: 38477011 PMCID: PMC10926026 DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10071-24661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
End-of-life care (EOLC) exemplifies the joint mission of intensive and palliative care (PC) in their human-centeredness. The explosion of technological advances in medicine must be balanced with the culture of holistic care. Inevitably, it brings together the science and the art of medicine in their full expression. High-quality EOLC in the ICU is grounded in evidence, ethical principles, and professionalism within the framework of the Law. Expert professional statements over the last two decades in India were developed while the law was evolving. Recent landmark Supreme Court judgments have necessitated a review of the clinical pathway for EOLC outlined in the previous statements. Much empirical and interventional evidence has accumulated since the position statement in 2014. This iteration of the joint Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine-Indian Association of Palliative Care (ISCCM-IAPC) Position Statement for EOLC combines contemporary evidence, ethics, and law for decision support by the bedside in Indian ICUs. How to cite this article Mani RK, Bhatnagar S, Butola S, Gursahani R, Mehta D, Simha S, et al. Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine and Indian Association of Palliative Care Expert Consensus and Position Statements for End-of-life and Palliative Care in the Intensive Care Unit. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(3):200-250.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raj K Mani
- Department of Critical Care and Pulmonology, Yashoda Super Specialty Hospital, Ghaziabad, Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sushma Bhatnagar
- Department of Onco-Anaesthesia and Palliative Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Savita Butola
- Department of Palliative Care, Border Security Force Sector Hospital, Panisagar, Tripura, India
| | - Roop Gursahani
- Department of Neurology, P. D. Hinduja National Hospital & Medical Research Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Dhvani Mehta
- Division of Health, Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, New Delhi, India
| | - Srinagesh Simha
- Department of Palliative Care, Karunashraya, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Jigeeshu V Divatia
- Department of Anaesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain, Tata Memorial Hospital, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Arun Kumar
- Department of Intensive Care, Medical Intensive Care Unit, Fortis Healthcare Ltd, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Shiva K Iyer
- Department of Critical Care, Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University) Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Jayita Deodhar
- Department Palliative Care, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Rajani S Bhat
- Department of Interventional Pulmonology and Palliative Medicine, SPARSH Hospitals, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Naveen Salins
- Department of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care, Kasturba Medical College Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Raghu S Thota
- Department Palliative Care, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Roli Mathur
- Department of Bioethics, Indian Council of Medical Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Rajam K Iyer
- Department of Palliative Care, Bhatia Hospital; P. D. Hinduja National Hospital & Medical Research Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sudeep Gupta
- Department of Medical Oncology, Tata Memorial Centre, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
| | | | - Sangeetha Murugan
- Department of Education and Research, Karunashraya, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Prashant Nasa
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, NMC Specialty Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sheila N Myatra
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain, Tata Memorial Hospital, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
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Xia Q, Kularatna M, Virdun C, Button E, Close E, Carter HE. Preferences for Palliative and End-of-Life Care: A Systematic Review of Discrete Choice Experiments. VALUE IN HEALTH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR PHARMACOECONOMICS AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2023; 26:1795-1809. [PMID: 37543206 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2023.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Understanding what matters most to patients and their caregivers is fundamental to delivering high-quality care. This systematic review aimed to characterize and appraise the evidence from discrete choice experiments eliciting preferences for palliative care. METHODS A systematic literature search was undertaken for publications up until August 2022. Data were synthesized narratively. Thematic analysis was applied to categorize attributes into groups. Attribute development, frequency, and relative importance were analyzed. Subgroup analyses were conducted to compare outcomes between patient and proxy respondents. RESULTS Seventeen studies spanning 11 countries were included; 59% of studies solely considered preferences for patients with cancer. A range of respondent groups were represented including patients (76%) and proxies (caregivers [35%], health providers [12%], and the public [18%]). A total of 117 individual attributes were extracted and thematically grouped into 8 broad categories and 21 subcategories. Clinical outcomes including quality of life, length of life, and pain control were the most frequently reported attributes, whereas attributes relating to psychosocial components were largely absent. Both patients and proxy respondents prioritized pain control over additional survival time. Nevertheless, there were differences between respondent cohorts in the emphasis on other attributes such as access to care, timely information, and low risk of adverse effects (prioritized by patients), as opposed to cost, quality, and delivery of care (prioritized by proxies). CONCLUSIONS Our review underscores the vital role of pain control in palliative care; in addition, it shed light on the complexity and relative strength of preferences for various aspects of care from multiple perspectives, which is useful in developing personalized, patient-centered models of care for individuals nearing the end of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Xia
- Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation and Centre for Healthcare Transformation, School of Public Health & Social Work, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
| | - Mineth Kularatna
- Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation and Centre for Healthcare Transformation, School of Public Health & Social Work, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Claudia Virdun
- Cancer and Palliative Care Outcomes Centre, Centre for Healthcare Transformation, School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Elise Button
- Cancer and Palliative Care Outcomes Centre, Centre for Healthcare Transformation, School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Eliana Close
- Australian Centre for Health Law Research, School of Law, Faculty of Business and Law (Close), Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Hannah E Carter
- Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation and Centre for Healthcare Transformation, School of Public Health & Social Work, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Bijnsdorp FM, Schouten B, Reyners AKL, Wagner C, Francke AL, van Schoten SM. Measurement and documentation of quality indicators for the end-of-life care of hospital patients a nationwide retrospective record review study. BMC Palliat Care 2023; 22:174. [PMID: 37936121 PMCID: PMC10631072 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-023-01299-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Quality of care at the end of life in hospitals is often perceived to be lower compared to the care that is provided to people who die in their own home. Documenting and measuring indicators of common end-of-life symptoms could help improve end-of-life care in hospitals. This study provided insight into quality indicators for the end-of-life care of patients who died in a Dutch hospital, and assessed differences between deceased patients who were admitted for palliative/terminal care versus patients admitted for other reasons. METHODS In a retrospective record review study, trained nurses reviewed electronic health records (EHRs) of patients who died in 2019 (n = 2998), in a stratified sample of 20 Dutch hospitals. The nurses registered whether data was found in de EHRs about quality indicators for end-of-life care. This concerned: symptoms (pain, shortness of breath, anxiety, depressive symptoms), spiritual and psychological support and advance care planning. Multilevel regression analyses were performed to assess differences between patients who had been admitted for palliative/terminal care and patients admitted for other reasons. RESULTS Common end-of-life symptoms were rarely measured using a standardized method (e.g. Numeric Rating Scale, Visual Analogue Scale or Utrecht Symptom Diary). The symptom burden of pain was measured using a standardized method more often (63.3%) than the symptom burden of shortness of breath (2.2%), anxiety (0.5%) and depressive symptoms (0.3%). Similarly, little information was documented in the EHRs regarding wish to involve a spiritual counsellor, psychologist or social worker. Life expectancy was documented in 66%. The preferred place of death was documented less often (20%). The documentation of some quality indicators differed between patients who were admitted for palliative/terminal care compared to other patients. CONCLUSION Except for the burden of pain, symptoms are rarely measured with standardized methods in patients who died in Dutch Hospitals. This study underlines the importance of documenting information about symptom burden and aspects related to advance care planning, and spiritual and psychological support to improve the quality of end-of-life care for patients in hospitals. Furthermore, uniformity in measuring methods improves the possibility to compare results between patient groups and settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- F M Bijnsdorp
- Nivel, Netherlands Institute For Health Services Research, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - B Schouten
- Department Of Public And Occupational Health, Amsterdam Umc, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, P/O Box 7057, Amsterdam, MB, 1007, the Netherlands.
| | - A K L Reyners
- Department of Medical Oncology, Center of Expertise in Palliative Care, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - C Wagner
- Nivel, Netherlands Institute For Health Services Research, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Department Of Public And Occupational Health, Amsterdam Umc, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, P/O Box 7057, Amsterdam, MB, 1007, the Netherlands
| | - A L Francke
- Nivel, Netherlands Institute For Health Services Research, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Department Of Public And Occupational Health, Amsterdam Umc, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, P/O Box 7057, Amsterdam, MB, 1007, the Netherlands
| | - S M van Schoten
- Department Of Public And Occupational Health, Amsterdam Umc, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, P/O Box 7057, Amsterdam, MB, 1007, the Netherlands
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Dadich A, Gliniecka M, Cull M, Womsley K. POMSNAME: an aide-mémoire to improve the assessment and documentation of palliative care - a longitudinal project. BMC Palliat Care 2023; 22:157. [PMID: 37865745 PMCID: PMC10590006 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-023-01279-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence-based palliative care requires comprehensive assessment and documentation. However, palliative care is not always systemically documented - this can have implications for team communication and patient wellbeing. The aim of this project was to determine the effectiveness of an aide-mémoire - POMSNAME - to prompt the comprehensive assessment of the following domains by clinicians: pain, orientation and oral health, mobility, social situation, nausea and vomiting, appetite, medication, and elimination. METHODS A placard depicting the aide-mémoire was distributed to community-based nurses who received training and support. The case notes of palliative care patients were evaluated one month before the intervention, and was repeated at one month, eight months, and fifty months following the intervention. The 235 case notes pertained to patients who received palliative care from a team of 13 registered nurses at one community health service. RESULTS The documented assessment of palliative care patients improved across all nine domains. The most significant improvements pertained to patients' social situation, orientation, and nausea, eight months after the aide-mémoire was introduced (170.1%, 116.9%, and 105.6%, respectively, all at p < .001). Although oral health and medication assessment declined one-month after the aide-mémoire was introduced (-41.7% and-2.1%, respectively), both subsequently improved, thereafter, at both 8 months and 50 months after the aide-mémoire was introduced. CONCLUSIONS The improvement of palliative care documentation across all nine domains demonstrates the potential of the POMSNAME aide-mémoire to prompt the comprehensive assessment of patients by clinicians with generalist expertise. Research is required to determine whether other domains warrant inclusion and how.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Dadich
- School of Business, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith South, NSW, 2751, Australia.
| | - Martyna Gliniecka
- School of Business, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith South, NSW, 2751, Australia
| | - Michelle Cull
- School of Business, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith South, NSW, 2751, Australia
| | - Kerrie Womsley
- Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, PO Box 239, Port Kembla, NSW, 2505, Australia
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Hawes FM. Leading Through Loss: Experiences of Nursing Home Administrators-in-Training During the COVID-19 Pandemic. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2023:302228231189847. [PMID: 37449756 PMCID: PMC10350581 DOI: 10.1177/00302228231189847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
End-of-life care is a critical aspect of long-term care, yet there is limited understanding of nursing home staff's experiences and preparation in this area, particularly among facility administrators. To address this gap, two cohorts of Administrators-in-Training (2021 & 2022) were interviewed about their knowledge and practices regarding end-of-life care in skilled nursing facilities. Interviews focused on involvement in end-of-life discussions, coping strategies, grief support, and personal perspectives on death. The findings revealed a significant lack of training on death management and end-of-life care for Administrators-in-Training (AITs), with limited grief support mechanisms in place within skilled nursing facilities. Personal experiences with death influenced AITs' approach to end-of-life care, and various coping strategies were observed. The results highlight the need for comprehensive training programs and improved support for AITs to enhance end-of-life care delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frances M. Hawes
- Health Care Administration Department, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI, USA
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Sjöberg E, Axelsson B. Prognostic information and care plans for patients dying of cancer. Acta Oncol 2023; 62:210-213. [PMID: 36772807 DOI: 10.1080/0284186x.2023.2175622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- E Sjöberg
- Medical Programme, Umeå University, and FoU Östersund City, Sweden
| | - B Axelsson
- Department of Radiation Sciences, Umeå University, and FoU Östersund, Umeå, Sweden
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Factors Related to Care Managers' Experiences of Making Proxy Decisions about Older Adults Living Alone: A Cross-Sectional Study. NURSING REPORTS 2023; 13:57-66. [PMID: 36648980 PMCID: PMC9844272 DOI: 10.3390/nursrep13010006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In Japan, the number of older adults living alone who require nursing care continues to rise. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with care managers' experiences of making proxy decisions about life directions for older adults who live alone and whose intentions cannot be fully confirmed. The participants were care managers of in-home long-term care support providers nationwide. An original self-report questionnaire was created with reference to previous research and a web-based survey was conducted. The responses were obtained from 241 people and 211 people were included in the analysis. Two factors were identified that were related to care managers' experiences of proxy decision-making about the life direction of older adults living alone whose intentions could not be fully confirmed: the ability to perform administrative tasks (odds ratio [OR] 3.38, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.39-8.22) and the observed cognitive deterioration (OR 2.89, 95% CI: 1.06-7.83). Even if older adults living alone can independently perform administrative tasks, observed cognitive deterioration may be a prodromal sign that such adults will be unable to make decisions about their future life.
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Sjöberg M, Rasmussen BH, Edberg AK, Beck I. Existential aspects documented in older people’s patient records in the context of specialized palliative care: a retrospective review. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:1356. [PMID: 36384554 PMCID: PMC9667671 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08753-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Documentation of older people’s end-of-life care should cover the care given and provide an overview of their entire situation. Older people approaching the end of life often have complex symptoms, live with bodily losses, and face an unknown future in which existential aspects come to the forefront. Knowledge of the existential aspects recorded in palliative care documentation is sparse and merits improvement. This knowledge is relevant to the development of more holistic documentation and is necessary in order to promote reflection on and discussion of documentation of the sensitive existential considerations arising in palliative care. The aim of this study was to describe the documentation of existential aspects in the patient records of older people receiving specialized palliative care. Methods Data were obtained from a retrospective review of the free-text notes in 84 records of randomly selected patients aged ≥75 years enrolled in specialized palliative care units who died in 2017. The notes were analysed using an inductive qualitative content analysis. Results The notes documented existential aspects in terms of connotations of well-being and ill-being. Documented existential aspects were related to the patients’ autonomy concerning loss of freedom and self-determination, social connectedness concerning loneliness and communion, emotional state concerning anxiety and inner peace, and state of being concerning despair and hope. The notes on existential aspects were, however, not recorded in a structured way and no care plans related to existential aspects were found. Conclusions Existential aspects concerning both ill-being and well-being were sparsely and unsystematically documented in older people’s patient records, but when notes were extracted from these records and analysed, patterns became evident. Existential aspects form an important basis for delivering person-centred palliative care. There is a need to develop structured documentation concerning existential aspects; otherwise, patients’ thoughts and concerns may remain unknown to healthcare professionals.
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Angcahan DZ, de Guzman AB. Palliative care and Interventional Radiology for older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Med Imaging Radiat Sci 2022; 53:S18-S21. [PMID: 35346611 PMCID: PMC8901376 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmir.2022.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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