Kaasalainen S, Sussman T, Nicula M, Lawrence J, Thompson G, McCleary L, Wickson-Griffiths A, You JJ. Evaluating the Implementation of the Conversation Starter Kit in Long Term Care.
SAGE Open Nurs 2021;
7:23779608211051824. [PMID:
34746381 PMCID:
PMC8564126 DOI:
10.1177/23779608211051824]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction
Advance care planning can improve the quality of life for residents in
long-term care homes and reduce stress for families. However, care home
staff and families often lack knowledge about advance care planning, making
it especially difficult for residents with dementia to communicate their
care plan wishes. A Conversation Starter Kit may increase advance care
planning awareness among staff and families.
Objectives
This study evaluated an advance care planning intervention, the Conversation
Starter Kit booklet, for use in long term care homes.
Methods
Data were collected at three long-term care homes in southern Ontario. We
collected data from 55 residents who were able to make decisions on their
own paired with 11 family members of these residents. We also collected data
from 24 family members of residents who were unable to make decisions on
their own. This study used a quasi-experimental, one group pre/post design.
Quantitative surveys were administered before and after a three-month
advance care planning intervention. An additional structured interview was
completed at the end of the intervention period, which included both closed
and open-ended questions to assess perceptions about the booklet's use or
non-use.
Results
Residents reported more engagement in advance care planning after completing
the Conversation Starter Kit booklet, particularly related to asking
questions to health care providers about health care decisions. Family
members reported feeling very certain that they would be able to make
decisions on behalf of the resident but felt less certain after completing
the booklet, implying the booklet raised their awareness of the types of
decisions they might need to make, hopefully prompting them to be more
prepared for decisions in the future.
Conclusions
An advance care planning intervention – The Conversation Starter Kit booklet
- appears acceptable and easy to use for residents and family
members/friends in long-term care and can improve resident engagement in
advance care planning. Although using the booklet may decrease efficacy for
decision making among family members of long-term care residents, it may
highlight the importance of more actionable engagement in advance care
planning among residents, their families/friends, and staff.
Collapse