Palliative Care Initiation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Prognosis-Based, Symptoms-Based or Needs-Based?

"You don't want to know just about my lungs, you…want to know more about me". Patients and their caregivers' evaluation of a nurse-led COPD supportive care service

AIM

To evaluate a nurse-led model of supportive care in a COPD outpatient service from patient and caregiver perspectives.

DESIGN

Case study methodology.

METHODS

Data were collected from semi-structured interviews with patients (n = 12) and caregivers (n = 7) conducted between April 2020 and September 2022. A purposive sampling strategy was used. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using content analysis with an inductive approach. COREQ guidelines informed reporting of this study.

RESULTS

Eight categories were identified from the data evaluating of the model of care relating to the most helpful aspects of COPD supportive care and suggested improvements to the model of care. The categories were: guidance with managing symptoms; participating in advance care planning; home visiting; expert advice; continuity and trust; caring; caregiver support and improvements to the model of care.

CONCLUSION

In a nurse-led model of COPD supportive care, what patients and caregivers valued most was expert advice and guidance with symptom management, flexible home visiting, participation in advance care planning, caring and continuity within an ongoing trusted therapeutic relationship. Understanding what patients and caregivers value most is essential in designing and delivering models of care that meet the needs of patients living with chronic, life-limiting illness.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE

Nurses can lead effective models of supportive care that offer valuable support to patients living with COPD and their caregivers.

Non-invasive ventilation in the care of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with palliative care needs: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) could have palliative care (PC) needs because of unmet needs such as dyspnoea. This may lead to anxiety and may have an impact on patients' ability to perform daily activities of living. PC can be started when patients with COPD have unmet needs and can be provided alongside disease-modifying therapies. Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) could be an important measure to manage dyspnoea in patients with COPD in need of PC. A scoping review was conducted to gain an overview of the existing research and to identify knowledge gaps. The aim of this scoping review was to systematically map published studies on the use of NIV in patients with COPD with PC needs, including the perspectives and experiences of patients, families, and healthcare professionals (HCPs).

METHODS

This review was conducted following the framework of Arksey and O'Malley. The reporting of the review was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews checklist. The review protocol was published. AMED, CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, PEDro, and PsycInfo were searched from inception to November 14, 2022. The included studies had to report the perspectives and experiences of COPD patients, relatives, and HCPs regarding NIV in the care of patients with COPD with PC needs. In pairs, the authors independently assessed studies' eligibility and extracted data. The data were organised thematically. The results were discussed in a consultation exercise.

RESULTS

This review included 33 papers from 32 studies. Four thematic groupings were identified: preferences and attitudes towards the use of NIV; patient participation in the decision-making process of NIV treatment; conflicting results on the perceived benefits and burdens of treatment; and heterogenous clinical outcomes in experimental studies. Patients perceived NIV as a 'life buoy' to keep them alive. Many patients wanted to take part in the decision-making process regarding NIV treatment but expressed varying degrees of inclusion by HCPs in such decision-making. Conflicting findings were identified regarding the perceived benefits and burdens of NIV treatment. Diversity in heterogeneous clinical outcomes were reported in experimental studies.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a need for more studies designed to investigate the effectiveness of NIV as a palliative measure for patients with COPD with PC needs using comprehensive outcomes. It is especially important to gain more knowledge on the experiences of all stakeholders in the use of home-based NIV treatment to these patients.

Specialist Palliative Care Referral Practices Among Oncologists, Cardiologists, Respirologists: A Comparison of National Survey Studies

CONTEXT

Although patients with nonmalignant diseases have palliative care needs similar to those of cancer patients, they are less likely to receive specialist palliative care (SPC). Referral practices of oncologists, cardiologists, and respirologists could provide insight into reasons for this difference.

OBJECTIVES

We compared referral practices to SPC among cardiologists, respirologists, and oncologists, discerned from surveys (the Canadian Palliative Cardiology/Respirology/Oncology Surveys).

METHODS

Descriptive comparison of survey studies; multivariable linear regression analysis of association between specialty and referral frequency. Surveys for each specialty were disseminated to physicians across Canada in 2010 (oncologists) and 2018 (cardiologists, respirologists).

RESULTS

The combined response rate of the surveys was 60.9% (1568/2574): 603 oncologists, 534 cardiologists, and 431 respirologists. Perceived availability of SPC services was higher for cancer than for noncancer patients. Oncologists were more likely to make a referral to SPC for a symptomatic patient with a prognosis of

CONCLUSION

For cardiologists and respirologists in 2018, perceived availability of SPC services was poorer, timing of referral later, and frequency of referral lower than among oncologists in 2010. Further research is needed to identify reasons for differences in referral practices and to develop interventions to overcome them.

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Key Words

• Palliative care
• cancer
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• health care disparity
• heart failure
• referral

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MESH Headings

• Humans
• Palliative Care
• Cardiologists
• Attitude of Health Personnel
• Practice Patterns, Physicians'
• Canada
• Neoplasms/therapy
• Referral and Consultation
• Oncologists

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Affiliation(s)

Michael Bonares Division of Palliative Medicine (M.B.), Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Palliative Medicine (M.B., C.Z.), Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Lisa W Le Department of Biostatistics (L.W.L.), Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Camilla Zimmermann Division of Palliative Medicine (M.B., C.Z.), Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Supportive Care (C.Z., K.W.), University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Kristen Wentlandt Department of Supportive Care (C.Z., K.W.), University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Palliative Care (K.W.), Department of Community and Family Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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A Systematic Review of the Development and Implementation of Needs-Based Palliative Care Tools in Heart Failure and Chronic Respiratory Disease

Background

The impetus to develop and implement tools for non-malignant patient groups is reflected in the increasing number of instruments being developed for heart failure and chronic respiratory diseases. Evidence syntheses of psychometric quality and clinical utility of these tools is required to inform research and clinical practice.

Aims

This systematic review examined palliative care needs tools for people diagnosed with advanced heart failure or chronic respiratory diseases, to determine their: (1) psychometric quality; and (2) acceptability, feasibility and clinical utility when implemented in clinical practice.

Methods

Systematic searches of MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane and PsycINFO from database inception until June 2021 were undertaken. Additionally, the reference lists of included studies were searched for relevant articles. Psychometric properties of identified measures were evaluated against pre-determined and standard criteria.

Results

Eighteen tools met inclusion criteria: 11 were developed to assess unmet patient palliative care needs. Of those, 6 were generic, 4 were developed for heart failure and 1 was developed for interstitial lung disease. Seven tools identified those who may benefit from palliative care and include general and disease-specific indicators. The psychometric qualities of the tools varied. None met all of the accepted criteria for psychometric rigor in heart failure or respiratory disease populations. There is limited implementation of needs assessment tools in practice.

Conclusion

Several tools were identified, however further validation studies in heart failure and respiratory disease populations are required. Rigorous evaluation to determine the impact of adopting a systematic needs-based approach for heart failure and lung disease on the physical and psychosocial outcomes of patients and carers, as well as the economic costs and benefits to the healthcare system, is required.

Multivariate Analysis of the Predicted Probability of Smoking Behavior of Foster Care Minors: Results of a Study from Romania

Background: There are a multitude of factors that influence smoking status, and minors from the social protection system are a vulnerable category in terms of smoking. Methods: The objective of this research was to assess the degree of smoking dependence and to identify potential predictors of smoking status in foster care teenagers. Smoker status was confirmed by dosing CO in the exhaled air, and the degree of dependence was assessed using the Fagerström score. We performed a multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: From the 275 foster care minors, 22.5% were current smokers. Exhaled CO was not influenced by general demographic factors, was associated with the frequency of smoking, and was positively correlated with the estimated number of cigarettes consumed daily and with the Fagerström score. The calculated probability of being a smoker was less than 20.4% in 75% of nonsmokers, whereas 75% of actual smokers had a predicted probability higher than 30.3%. Conclusions: In addition to age, gender, social environment, previous exposure to secondhand smoking, and residential type of foster care system, the expressed opinions regarding the health effects of tobacco use were associated with smoking in foster care teenagers.

Cost-effectiveness of home non-invasive ventilation in COPD group GOLD D patients

Introduction. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, estimated to be the third most common cause of death by 2020. The natural evolution of the disease is characterized by frequent exacerbations, severe exacerbations evolving with respiratory acidosis. Introducing home non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in the management of COPD group GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) D patients generates supplementary costs, but the decreasing of the number of severe exacerbations will decrease the costs of drug treatment and hospitalization. This balance can be verified through a careful study of cost-effectiveness through modern methods of assessing the costs and years of life gained in relation to quality of life. Material and method. This prospective study took place in the Emergency Department of the Bihor County Clinical Emergency Hospital, Oradea, between 01 October 2017 – 31 October2018, with a follow-up period of 2 years. We included 36 Group risk D COPD patients, presented with severe exacerbation that required NIV; the patients were divided into two study groups according to the treatment scheme after discharge (standard medication according to GOLD guidelines and long-term oxygen therapy - LTOT vs. LTOT + NIV). We follow-up at 2 years with the study group, and analyze the following: number of exacerbations (moderate and severe), number of hospitalizations, mortality rate in two years, average costs for the treatment of exacerbations and for stable COPD periods, quality adjusted life year (QALY). Results and discussions. From 36 enrolled, 10 patients benefited from home NIV. The number of exacerbations was significantly lower in the NIV group compared with the LTOT group (1.72±0.79 vs 3.54±1.18). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) showed a net gain of 31% from gross product (GDP) per capita (5,641.71 ± 1,737.0-euro vs 9,272.3 ± 3,681.9 euro) per quality adjusted life year (QALY) for each patient. Conclusions. Introduction home-NIV demonstrated clinical improvement and higher cost-effectiveness over LTOT alone in Class Risk D, COPD patients after discharge following a severe exacerbation. Keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, non-invasive ventilation, cost-effectiveness, quality adjusted life year,

Pulmonary referrals to specialist palliative medicine: a survey

OBJECTIVES

Patients with chronic respiratory disease have significant palliative care needs, but low utilisation of specialist palliative care (SPC) services. Decreased access to SPC results in unmet palliative care needs among this patient population. We sought to determine the referral practices to SPC among respirologists in Canada.

METHODS

Respirologists across Canada were invited to participate in a survey about their referral practices to SPC. Associations between referral practices and demographic, professional and attitudinal factors were analysed using regression analyses.

RESULTS

The response rate was 64.7% (438/677). Fifty-nine per cent of respondents believed that their patients have negative perceptions of palliative care and 39% were more likely to refer to SPC earlier if it was renamed supportive care. While only 2.7% never referred to SPC, referral was late in 52.6% of referring physicians. Lower frequency of referral was associated with equating palliative care to end-of-life care (p<0.001), male sex of respirologist (p=0.019), not knowing referral criteria of SPC services (p=0.015) and agreement that SPC services prioritise patients with cancer (p=0.025); higher referral frequency was associated with satisfaction with SPC services (p=0.001). Late referral was associated with equating palliative care to end-of-life care (p<0.001) and agreement that SPC services prioritise patients with cancer (p=0.013).

CONCLUSIONS

Possible barriers to respirologists' timely SPC referral include misperceptions about palliative care, lack of awareness of referral criteria and the belief that SPC services prioritise patients with cancer. Future studies should confirm these barriers and evaluate the effectiveness of strategies to overcome them.

Challenges in Diagnosing Occupational Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Occupational chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (oCOPD) represents 15–20% of the global burden of this disease. Even if industrial bronchitis has long been known, new occupational hazards continue to emerge and enlarge the number of people exposed to risk. This review discusses the challenges related to the early detection of oCOPD, in the context of new exposures and of limited usage of methods for an efficient disease occupational screening. It underlines that a better translation into clinical practice of the new methods for lung function impairment measurements, imaging techniques, or the use of serum or exhaled breath inflammation biomarkers could add significant value in the early detection of oCOPD. Such an approach would increase the chance to stop exposure at an earlier moment and to prevent or at least slow down the further deterioration of the lung function as a result of exposure to occupational (inhaled) hazards.

Perceptions of healthcare professionals towards palliative care in internal medicine wards: a cross-sectional survey

Background

The extension of palliative care services to meet the needs of patients with chronic non-malignant life-limiting conditions faces misconceptions amongst healthcare professionals. A study of prevailing perceptions of healthcare professionals on this wider palliative care service was thus conducted to identify current obstacles, guide the education of local healthcare professionals and improve service accessibility.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out at the Singapore General Hospital. An anonymised and close-ended online questionnaire was disseminated to 120 physicians and 500 nurses in the Department of Internal Medicine. The online survey tool focused on participant demographics; perceptions of palliative care and its perceived benefits; roles and indications; and attitudes and behaviours towards palliative care referrals.

Results

Forty four physicians and 156 nurses suggested that care of terminally ill patients with chronic non-malignant life-limiting conditions are compromised by concerns over the role of palliative care in non-cancer care and lapses in their prognostication and communication skills. Respondents also raised concerns about their ability to confront sociocultural issues and introduce palliative care services to patients and their families.

Conclusions

Gaps in understanding and the ability of nurses and physicians to communicate end of life issues, introduce palliative care services to patients and their families and confront sociocultural issues suggest the need for a longitudinal training program. With similar concerns likely prevalent in other clinical settings within this island nation, a concerted national education program targeting obstacles surrounding effective palliative care should be considered.

Can Ultrasound Therapy Be an Environmental-Friendly Alternative to Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment?

The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most used drugs in knee OA (osteoarthritis) treatment. Despite their efficiency in pain and inflammation alleviation, NSAIDs accumulate in the environment as chemical pollutants and have numerous genetic, morphologic, and functional negative effects on plants and animals. Ultrasound (US) therapy can improve pain, inflammation, and function in knee OA, without impact on environment, and with supplementary metabolic beneficial effects on cartilage compared to NSAIDs. These features recommend US therapy as alternative for NSAIDs use in knee OA treatment.