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Algu K, Wales J, Anderson M, Omilabu M, Briggs T, Kurahashi AM. Naming racism as a root cause of inequities in palliative care research: a scoping review. BMC Palliat Care 2024; 23:143. [PMID: 38858646 PMCID: PMC11163751 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-024-01465-9] [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: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Racial and ethnic inequities in palliative care are well-established. The way researchers design and interpret studies investigating race- and ethnicity-based disparities has future implications on the interventions aimed to reduce these inequities. If racism is not discussed when contextualizing findings, it is less likely to be addressed and inequities will persist. OBJECTIVE To summarize the characteristics of 12 years of academic literature that investigates race- or ethnicity-based disparities in palliative care access, outcomes and experiences, and determine the extent to which racism is discussed when interpreting findings. METHODS Following Arksey & O'Malley's methodology for scoping reviews, we searched bibliographic databases for primary, peer reviewed studies globally, in all languages, that collected race or ethnicity variables in a palliative care context (January 1, 2011 to October 17, 2023). We recorded study characteristics and categorized citations based on their research focus-whether race or ethnicity were examined as a major focus (analyzed as a primary independent variable or population of interest) or minor focus (analyzed as a secondary variable) of the research purpose, and the interpretation of findings-whether authors directly or indirectly discussed racism when contextualizing the study results. RESULTS We identified 3000 citations and included 181 in our review. Of these, most were from the United States (88.95%) and examined race or ethnicity as a major focus (71.27%). When interpreting findings, authors directly named racism in 7.18% of publications. They were more likely to use words closely associated with racism (20.44%) or describe systemic or individual factors (41.44%). Racism was directly named in 33.33% of articles published since 2021 versus 3.92% in the 10 years prior, suggesting it is becoming more common. CONCLUSION While the focus on race and ethnicity in palliative care research is increasing, there is room for improvement when acknowledging systemic factors - including racism - during data analysis. Researchers must be purposeful when investigating race and ethnicity, and identify how racism shapes palliative care access, outcomes and experiences of racially and ethnically minoritized patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kavita Algu
- Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care, 60 Murray Street, 4th Floor, Box 13, Toronto, ON, M5T3L9, Canada.
| | - Joshua Wales
- Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care, 60 Murray Street, 4th Floor, Box 13, Toronto, ON, M5T3L9, Canada
| | - Michael Anderson
- Waakebiness-Bryce Institute for Indigenous Health, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, 6th floor, Toronto, ON, M5T 3M7, Canada
| | - Mariam Omilabu
- Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care, 60 Murray Street, 4th Floor, Box 13, Toronto, ON, M5T3L9, Canada
| | - Thandi Briggs
- Home and Community Care Support Services Toronto Central, 250 Dundas St. W, Toronto, ON, M5T 2Z5, Canada
| | - Allison M Kurahashi
- Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care, 60 Murray Street, 4th Floor, Box 13, Toronto, ON, M5T3L9, Canada
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Sohal A, Chaudhry H, Sharma R, Dhillon N, Kohli I, Singla P, Arora K, Dukovic D, Verma M, Roytman M. Recent Trends in Palliative Care Utilization in Patients With Decompensated Liver Disease: 2016-2020 National Analysis. J Palliat Med 2024; 27:335-344. [PMID: 37851991 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2023.0367] [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] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) have a poor quality of life, which often worsens as disease severity increases. Palliative care (PC) has emerged as a management option in ESLD patients, especially for those who are not candidates for a liver transplant. Objective: To assess the associated factors and trends in PC utilization in recent years. Design: We used the 2016-2020 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database of the United States to identify patients with decompensated cirrhosis who suffered in-hospital mortality. Information regarding patient demographics, hospital characteristics, etiology and decompensations, Elixhauser comorbidities, and interventions was collected. The multivariate regression model was used to identify factors associated with PC use. Results: Out of 98,160 patients, 52,645 patients (53.6%) received PC consultations. PC utilization increased from 49.11% in 2016 to 56.85% in 2019, with a slight decrease to 54.47% in 2020. Patients with PC use had decreased incidence of blood transfusions (28.85% vs. 36.53%, p < 0.001), endoscopy (18% vs. 20.26%, p 0.0001), liver transplantation (0.28% vs. 0.69%, p < 0.001), and mechanical ventilation (46.22% vs. 56.37%, p < 0.001). African American, Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific Islander patients had 29%, 27%, and 23% lower odds of receiving PC than White patients. Patients in the two lowest income quartiles had 12% and 22% lower odds of receiving PC compared with the highest quartile. Conclusions: PC utilization in patients with ESLD is associated with decreased invasive procedures, shorter lengths of stay, and lower hospitalization charges. Minorities, as well as patients in the lower income quartiles, were less likely to receive PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aalam Sohal
- Department of Hepatology, Liver Institute Northwest, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Hunza Chaudhry
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Fresno, Fresno, California, USA
| | - Ragini Sharma
- Department of Internal Medicine, Maullana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India
| | - Nimrat Dhillon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Shri Guru Ram Das Medical College, Amritsar, India
| | - Isha Kohli
- Graduate Program in Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Piyush Singla
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dayanand Medical College, and Hospital, Punjab, India
| | - Kirti Arora
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dayanand Medical College, and Hospital, Punjab, India
| | - Dino Dukovic
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ross University School of Medicine, Miramar, Florida, USA
| | - Manisha Verma
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Einstein Healthcare Network, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Marina Roytman
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of California, Fresno, Fresno, California, USA
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Lin HM, Huang YC, Ho CW, Chen M. Analysis of Palliative Care Utilization and Medical Expenses among Patients with Chronic Diseases in Taiwan: A Population-Based Cohort Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:12646. [PMID: 36231946 PMCID: PMC9566501 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Palliative care (PC) is an important alternative treatment for patients with chronic diseases, particularly for those in the later stages of disease progression. This is because these diseases are often irreversible, with progressive worsening of symptoms. By encouraging the use of tranquility resources for good death and spiritual relief, PC can reduce the physical and psychological burden on patients at the end of their lives. Currently, most discussions on PC have focused on patients with cancers, and few have further discussed the differences in medical expenses between PC and emergency treatment in patients with chronic diseases at the end of their lives. This study analyzed the top three chronic diseases in patients who used PC resources in the past decade and identified the impact of emergency treatment on mean survival time and medical expenses based on the medical records from the National Health Insurance Research Database. In total, 4061 patients with chronic diseases who were admitted to hospice wards were included in this study; of them, 85 patients still received emergency treatment, including urinary catheterization, nasogastric intubation, and respirator use, at the end of their lives. The mean survival time of patients aged 50-64 years who received emergency treatment was longer than that of the same age group who did not receive emergency treatment. Different comparisons of the mean survival time and medical expenses using real-world data provides important insights regarding PC management that may assist in establishing health policies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Mei Lin
- Taipei City Hospital, RenAi Branch Nursing Supervisor, Taipei 106, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Business Administration, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Chun Huang
- Graduate Institute of Business Administration, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
- Artificial Intelligence Development Center, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
| | - Chieh-Wen Ho
- Artificial Intelligence Development Center, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei City 116, Taiwan
| | - Mingchih Chen
- Graduate Institute of Business Administration, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
- Artificial Intelligence Development Center, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
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Exploratory Study of Palliative Care Utilization and Medical Expense for Inpatients at the End-of-Life. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19074263. [PMID: 35409941 PMCID: PMC8998871 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19074263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Background: Previous research mostly analyzed the utilization of palliative care for patients with cancer, and data regarding non-cancer inpatients are limited. Objectives: This research aimed to investigate the current situation regarding palliative care and the important factors that influence its utilization by inpatients (including inpatients with and without cancer) at the end of their lives. We also explored the feasibility of establishing a prediction model of palliative care utilization for inpatients at the end of their lives. These findings will allow medical staff to monitor and focus on those who may require palliative care, resulting in more end-of-life patients receiving palliative care and thereby reducing medical expense and improving their quality of life. Methods: This was a retrospective study based on real-world health information system (HIS) data from 5 different branches of Taipei City Hospital between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2018 that enrolled a total of 1668 deceased inpatients. To explore palliative care utilization at the end of life, we used 5-fold cross-validation in four different statistical models to obtain the performance of predictive accuracy: logistic regression (LGR), classification and regression tree (CART), multivariate adaptive regression spline (MARS), and gradient boosting (GB). The important variables that may affect palliative care utilization by inpatients were also identified. Results: The results were as follows: (1) 497 (29.8%) inpatients received palliative care; (2) the average daily hospitalization cost of patients with cancer who received palliative care (NTD 5789 vs. NTD 12,115; p ≤ 0.001) and all patients who received palliative care (NTD 91,527 vs. NTD 186,981; p = 0.0037) were statistically significantly lower than patients who did not receive palliative care; (3) diagnosis, hospital, and length of stay (LOS) may affect palliative care utilization of inpatient; diagnosis, hospitalization unit, and length of hospitalization were statistically significant by LGR; (4) 51.5% of patients utilized palliative consultation services, and 48.5% utilized palliative care units; and (5) MARS had the most consistent results; its accuracy was 0.751, and the main predictors of palliative care utilization are hospital, medical expense, LOS, diagnosis, and Palliative Care Screening Tool-Taiwan version (TW-PCST) scores. Conclusions: The results reveal that palliative care utilization by inpatients remains low, and it is necessary to educate patients without cancer of the benefits and advantages of palliative care. Although data were limited, the predictability of the MARS model was 0.751; a better prediction model with more data is necessary for further research. Precisely predicting the need for palliative care may encourage patients and their family members to consider palliative care, which may balance both physical and mental care. Therefore, unnecessary medical care can be avoided and limited medical resources can be allocated to more patients in need.
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Kaewput W, Thongprayoon C, Dumancas CY, Kanduri SR, Kovvuru K, Kaewput C, Pattharanitima P, Petnak T, Lertjitbanjong P, Boonpheng B, Wijarnpreecha K, Zabala Genovez JL, Vallabhajosyula S, Jadlowiec CC, Qureshi F, Cheungpasitporn W. In-hospital mortality of hepatorenal syndrome in the United States: Nationwide inpatient sample. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:7831-7843. [PMID: 34963745 PMCID: PMC8661379 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i45.7831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is a life-threatening condition among patients with advanced liver disease. Data trends specific to hospital mortality and hospital admission resource utilization for HRS remain limited.
AIM To assess the temporal trend in mortality and identify the predictors for mortality among hospital admissions for HRS in the United States.
METHODS We used the National Inpatient Sample database to identify an unweighted sample of 4938 hospital admissions for HRS from 2005 to 2014 (weighted sample of 23973 admissions). The primary outcomes were temporal trends in mortality as well as predictors for hospital mortality. We estimated odds ratios from multi-level mixed effect logistic regression to identify patient characteristics and treatments associated with hospital mortality.
RESULTS Overall hospital mortality was 32%. Hospital mortality decreased from 44% in 2005 to 24% in 2014 (P < 0.001), while there was an increase in the rate of liver transplantation (P = 0.02), renal replacement therapy (P < 0.001), length of hospital stay (P < 0.001), and hospitalization cost (P < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, older age, alcohol use, coagulopathy, neurological disorder, and need for mechanical ventilation predicted higher hospital mortality, whereas liver transplantation, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, and abdominal paracentesis were associated with lower hospital mortality.
CONCLUSION Although there was an increase in resource utilizations, hospital mortality among patients admitted for HRS significantly improved. Several predictors for hospital mortality were identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wisit Kaewput
- Department of Military and Community Medicine, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Charat Thongprayoon
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, United States
| | - Carissa Y Dumancas
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, United States
| | - Swetha R Kanduri
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA 70121, United States
| | - Karthik Kovvuru
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA 70121, United States
| | - Chalermrat Kaewput
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Pattharawin Pattharanitima
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani 12121, Thailand
| | - Tananchai Petnak
- Division of Pulmonary and Pulmonary Critical Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Ploypin Lertjitbanjong
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 13326, United States
| | | | - Karn Wijarnpreecha
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Jose L Zabala Genovez
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, United States
| | - Saraschandra Vallabhajosyula
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, United States
| | | | - Fawad Qureshi
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, United States
| | - Wisit Cheungpasitporn
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, United States
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