Living with severe physical impairment, Duchenne's muscular dystrophy and home mechanical ventilation

Young adults' narratives about living with home mechanical ventilation - a phenomenological hermeneutical study

PURPOSE

An increasing number of children and young adults with complex medical conditions and respiratory failure are treated with home mechanical ventilation (HMV). The current study aimed to describe how young adults using HMV experience their everyday life with the ventilator, their physical impairments and their opportunities for an educational and professional career.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data were collected via narrative interviews with nine young HMV users (3 females and 6 males, aged 18-31 years) in their homes. Two were ventilated invasively, six were ventilated non-invasively and one was treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) via facemask. Data were analysed using a phenomenological hermeneutical method.

RESULT

A multi-professional team contributed to participants' safety and ability to participate in society through higher education and professional work. A good and valuable life, mostly feeling healthy were experienced but also prejudice and stiffened social society structures.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study prove the importance of having long-standing access to a competent and supportive available multi-professional healthcare team when living with a long-term complex condition. These teams provided well-functioning human and technological support in everyday lives.

'Struggling to participate in everyday life': emerging adults' experiences of living with long-term health challenges

AIM

To gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of participation in the everyday life of emerging adults living with long-term health challenges and how this influences their own quality of life.

METHODS

Using an explorative study design, data were collected through in-depth interviews with a sample of 12 young people aged 18-29 years living with long-term health challenges in Norway.

FINDINGS

The analysis identified one overarching theme of struggling to participate in everyday life, and four subthemes: the notion of being independent but also dependent, experiencing mismatch between needs and support, experiencing deprivation of spontaneity and feeling uncertain about the future. The emerging adults experienced difficulties with participation in key areas of life such as education, employment and leisure activities. Associated symptoms of their diagnosis, limited physical abilities and lack of sufficient support made it hard to participate in everyday life the way they aspired to.

CONCLUSION

The challenges of living with a long-term health challenge as an emerging adult contributed to limitations in participation in different areas of life that was perceived as important for their quality of life.

A comprehensive qualitative framework for health-related quality of life in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

PURPOSE

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a rare x-linked neuromuscular condition predominantly affecting boys and men. There is a paucity of research qualitatively detailing the lived experience of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for people with DMD. The aim of this study was to identify a comprehensive framework for better understanding HRQoL in DMD.

METHODS

Eighteen boys and men (aged 7 to ≥ 40 years) with DMD were recruited from charity Duchenne UK, a DMD support group, and 5 UK National Health Service Trusts. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using a topic guide informed by a review into HRQoL in DMD. Generic, preference-based, patient-reported outcome measures (PROs) were used as prompts. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using framework analysis.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven themes were coded, within seven categories. Six categories were conceptualised as components of HRQoL (autonomy, daily activities, feelings and emotions, identity, physical aspects, social relationships) and one considered an input (healthcare, support, and environment). Three additional themes were used to code feedback on the generic PROs (CHU-9D, EQ-5D, HUI). Social relationships received most coverage in the data and was noted as an omission from the PROs.

CONCLUSION

A 30-item framework for HRQoL in DMD has been developed, which was used as input into a new condition-specific HRQoL PRO and preference-based measure: the DMD-QoL. The data has value in its own right in highlighting the lived experience of HRQoL for people with DMD and as a barometer for assessing the content of HRQoL PROs for use in DMD.

New medicine for neuromuscular diseases: An evolving paradox for patient and family hopes and expectations

Recent developments in novel therapies for neuromuscular diseases offer parents new perspectives on their affected children's future. This article examines how the emergence of new therapies impacts the lives of parents of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy or spinal muscular atrophy type 2, two genetic neuromuscular disorders characterized by progressive muscle degeneration. Aiming for a first-person perspective, fieldwork was conducted utilizing participant observation, semistructured interviews, and several internet sources. Six families with a total of 12 persons, all living in Denmark, were included in the interviews. Two types of parents were identified who were at opposite ends in dealing with the new therapies-the cure optimists and the cure pragmatists. Different hopes resulted in different narratives for their children's futures. The article raises questions about how and when children with chronic diseases should be involved in their parent's hopes for a cure and highlights the dilemmas facing health professionals working in the field of children with chronic diseases for which the prospects of a cure are improving. We conclude that health professionals must find a way to carefully balance guidance and information about experimental medicines, including the fact that experimental medicine sometimes fails, does not work as well as hoped for, or does not become available, with sustaining parental hopes for their children's future.

Comparing the quality of care for long-term ventilated individuals at home versus in shared living communities: a convergent parallel mixed-methods study

BACKGROUND

People on home mechanical ventilation (HMV) belong to a heterogeneous population with complex care needs. In Germany, outpatient intensive care is provided in people's private home (PH) or in shared living communities (SLC). Increasing patient numbers have led to criticism of the quality of care in recent years. Since quality deficits from the perspective of those affected are largely unclear, the following research question emerged: How do interviews with ventilated individuals and family caregivers explain any differences or similarities in the quality of care between PH and SLC?

METHODS

This study used a mixed-methods convergent parallel design, where quantitative and qualitative components were separately collected and analysed. The quantitative component (structured interviews and online survey) included ventilation characteristics, health-related resource use, health-related quality of life (HRQL) measured with the Severe Respiratory Insufficiency Questionnaire (SRI; range 0-100; higher scores indicated higher HRQL) and the Burden Scale of the Family Caregivers short version (BSFC-s; range 0-30; higher scores indicated higher burden). The qualitative component (semi-structured interviews) focused on people's experience of person-centred care. Data were merged using a weaving method and the Picker framework of Person-Centred Care.

RESULTS

The quantitative component revealed that ventilated individuals living in PHs were on average 20 years younger than participants living in SLCs (n = 46; PH: 46.86 ±15.40 years vs. SLC: 65.07 ±11.78 years; p = .001). HRQL (n = 27; PH: 56.62 ±16.40 vs. SLC: 55.35 ±12.72; p > .999) and the burden of family caregivers (n = 16; PH: 13.20 ±10.18 vs. SLC: 12.64 ±8.55; p > .999) were not significantly different between living situation. The qualitative component revealed that person-centred care is possible in both care settings (ventilated individuals: n = 13; family caregivers: n = 18).

CONCLUSION

This study describes a care situation that is as heterogeneous as the population of people with HMV. HRQL and the burden of family caregivers are highly individual and, like person-centred care, independent of the living situation. Policy decisions that facilitate person-centred care need to recognise that quality of care is highly individual and starts with the free choice of the care setting.

A Child with Home Mechanical Ventilation Affects the Family: A Danish Study shows that well Siblings may become Shadow Children

BACKGROUND

Having a child with chronic respiratory illness and home mechanical ventilation (HMV) may not only affect the ill child, but also the family, including well siblings' everyday life and physical and mental well-being.

PURPOSE

To explore the perspectives of parents to a child with HMV on well siblings' lives.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A qualitative phenomenological-hermeneutic approach using semistructured interviews with eight families, that included a child on HMV and well siblings. Data were collected from March to June 2019 at a Danish University Hospital.

RESULTS

Three main themes emerged: Tying emotional bonds with both children, Protection of everyday life for well siblings and A different family life - sharing attentiveness. The findings showed that being a parent to an HMV child and well siblings is complex to manage, and may make parents feel inadequate towards their children.

CONCLUSIONS

Parents feel inadequate in being parents to both the HMV child and well siblings, often transferring adult responsibilities to the well sibling, and sometimes leaving the well siblings in the shadow.

IMPLICATIONS

Clinical practice needs to expand interventions to support parents and well siblings by using a more family-centred care approach, not only during admission, but also in a long-term perspective.

A qualitative study of experiences of health and social care in home mechanical ventilation

AIM

To contribute insight into health and social care integration through an exploration of the care experiences of adults with degenerative neuromuscular conditions who use a mechanical ventilator at home.

DESIGN

Descriptive qualitative research.

METHODS

Seventeen semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients and family carers living in Scotland during 2015-2016 and thematically analysed.

RESULTS

To achieve a satisfying life, home ventilated participants required help from a variety of health and social care services, as well as care from family. Examples of successful care were identified, but there were also serious failures and conflict with services. Identifying how care fails or succeeds for this patient population and their families requires an understanding of the interdependency of health and social care. This was achieved by examining health and social care provision from the experiential perspective of care-users to provide insights into how disconnected provision has an impact on users' lives in numerous, idiosyncratic ways.

Implementation of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Care Considerations

BACKGROUND

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked disorder characterized by progressive muscle weakness and multisystem involvement. Recent advances in management of individuals with DMD have prolonged survival. Lack of standardized care spurred an international collaboration to develop consensus-based care considerations for diagnosis and management. In this study, we evaluate adherence to considerations at selected sites.

METHODS

We collaborated with the Muscular Dystrophy Surveillance, Tracking, and Research Network. Our sample included males with DMD and Becker muscular dystrophy <21 years as of December 31, 2010, with 1 health care encounter on or after January 1, 2012. We collected data from medical records on encounters occurring January 1, 2012, through December 31, 2014. Adherence was determined when frequency of visits or assessments were at or above recommendations for selected care considerations.

RESULTS

Our analytic sample included 299 individuals, 7% of whom (20/299) were classified as childhood-onset Becker muscular dystrophy. Adherence for neuromuscular and respiratory clinician visits was 65% for the cohort; neuromuscular assessments and corticosteroid side effect monitoring measures ranged from 16% to 68%. Adherence was 83% for forced vital capacity and ≤58% for other respiratory diagnostics. Cardiologist assessments and echocardiograms were found for at least 84%. Transition planning for education or health care was documented for 31% of eligible males.

CONCLUSIONS

Medical records data were used to identify areas in which practice aligns with the care considerations. However, there remains inconsistency across domains and insufficiency in critical areas. More research is needed to explain this variability and identify reliable methods to measure outcomes.

Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy in adolescents: current perspectives

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) are life-limiting and progressive neuromuscular conditions with significant comorbidities, many of which manifest during adolescence. BMD is a milder presentation of the condition and much less prevalent than DMD, making it less represented in the literature, or more severely affected individuals with BMD may be subsumed into the DMD population using clinical cutoffs. Numerous consensus documents have been published on the clinical management of DMD, the most recent of which was released in 2010. The advent of these clinical management consensus papers, particularly respiratory care, has significantly increased the life span for these individuals, and the adolescent years are now a point of transition into adult lives, rather than a period of end of life. This review outlines the literature on DMD and BMD during adolescence, focusing on clinical presentation during adolescence, impact of living with a chronic illness on adolescents, and the effect that adolescents have on their chronic illness. In addition, we describe the role that palliative-care specialists could have in improving outcomes for these individuals. The increasing proportion of individuals with DMD and BMD living into adulthood underscores the need for more research into interventions and intracacies of adolescence that can improve the social aspects of their lives.

The experience of parents of adult sons with Duchenne muscular dystrophy regarding their prolonged roles as primary caregivers: a serial qualitative study

PURPOSE

Mechanical ventilation has allowed a greater number of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) to transition into adulthood. However, the role of a child's parent as a caregiver lasts throughout the child's lifetime. We explored parents' experiences of prolonged caregiving using serial interviews, analyzed using constructivist grounded theory.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fourteen parents (average age 53.9 years) with sons with DMD (average age 23.2 years) were interviewed two to four times, over a 3-year period. Data were analyzed using a grounded theory approach.

RESULTS

Two categories of responses were defined as strengths, and four as weaknesses. The strengths were related to family member support and confidence in parenting ability. The weaknesses were related to the anticipation of aging with the ongoing burden of caring for adult sons, regrets, sharing of responsibility versus having a fixed role as the primary caregiver, and economic burden. The weaknesses became more pronounced as the duration of caregiving increased. Parents' acceptance of and immobilization in their role of primary caregiver led to prolonged derivative dependency.

CONCLUSION

Practical support for parental caregivers, who experience a marked increase in the duration of their caregiving role while facing their own aging-related challenges, are required. Implications for Rehabilitation Children with DMD are living longer and are transitioning into adulthood; a successful transition involves becoming as independent as possible and maintaining a positive sense of personal identity. Despite entering adulthood, the parental caregiver's caregiving role continues. Rehabilitation professionals, who are able to provide long-term, continued support from childhood into adulthood, should be aware that parental caregivers' weakness are exacerbated as the duration of caregiving increases. Families affected by DMD require multifaceted support that should include support for the parental caregiver.

Study of Duchenne muscular dystrophy long-term survivors aged 40 years and older living in specialized institutions in Japan

The national muscular dystrophy wards database of Japan lists 118 long-term Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients who were at least 40 years old as of October 1, 2013. To elucidate the clinical features of DMD patients aged 40 years and older, we obtained gene analysis and muscle biopsy findings, as well as medical condition information. Ninety-four of the registered patients consented to participate, of whom 55 meeting genetic or biochemical criteria confirming DMD were analyzed. The mean age at the time of the study was 43.6 ± 3.0 years, while at the time of independent ambulation loss it was 10.6 ± 1.5 years and at mechanical ventilation introduction it was 24.1 ± 5.5 years. All were receiving continuous ventilation support, 27 with non-invasive positive pressure ventilation and 28 with tracheal intermittent positive pressure ventilation. Thirty-eight were receiving β-blockers or a renin-angiotensin system inhibitor, while 9 were free from those agents. Forty had maintained oral nutrition. The 55 analyzed patients had survived into their 40s by receiving multidisciplinary intervention. Our findings emphasize the need of future studies to investigate disease modifiers and the mechanism of long-term survival. In addition, establishment of a worldwide care standard with focus on quality of life for adult males with DMD is important.

Living a normal life in an extraordinary way: A systematic review investigating experiences of families of young people's transition into adulthood when affected by a genetic and chronic childhood condition

INTRODUCTION

The transition into adulthood is a developmental stage within the life cycle. A chronic childhood condition can disrupt this transition and create major challenges for both the young person and his or her family. Little is known about families' experiences when living with a rare genetic disease. Therefore, the purpose of this literature review was to understand experiences of families living with a chronic childhood disease during transition into adulthood by integrating evidence.

METHOD

A systematic review using an integrative approach to data inclusion and analysis comprising qualitative, quantitative and other methodological studies about a range of genetic and chronic childhood diseases was undertaken to identify relevant information. Databases searched were PubMed, Cochrane Library, PsychINFO, CINAHL, and AMED, using the search terms (1) family, caregivers, young adult, adolescent; (2) adolescent development, transitional programs, transition to adult care; (3) muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, cystic fibrosis, haemophilia and sickle cell disease. Study findings were critically appraised and analyzed using critical interpretive synthesis.

RESULTS

A total of 8116 citations were retrieved. 33 studies remained following the removal of duplicates, papers unrelated to genetic childhood conditions and families' experiences of the transition into adulthood. Findings provided three perspectives: (1) the young person's perspective on how to "live a normal life in an extraordinary way" and "manage a chronic and life threatening disease"; (2) the parent perspective on the "complexity of being a parent of a chronically ill child" and "concerns about the child's future" and (3) the sibling perspective on "concerns about the siblings future". As a consequence of the genetic childhood condition, during the ill family members' transition into adulthood all family members were at risk for psychosocial difficulties as they mutually influenced each other. Previous research focused predominately on the individual illness experience, and less emphasis was put on the family perspective.

CONCLUSIONS

Young people and their family members experienced multiple challenges and not only for the ill individual but also there were consequences and health risks for the whole family system. Therefore, a family systems perspective to research and care is indicated to assist affected families to cope with their complex life and health situation.

Access to services for young adults with medical complexity

BACKGROUND

With the number of young people with medical complexity increasing, an increasing number must navigate the transition to adulthood. This transition, in part, involves a situational transition in which young people and their families must access new services in the adult system.

OBJECTIVES

To explore how societal ideologies, communities, and organizations represent the foundation of barriers to access to services.

RESEARCH DESIGN

The discussion in this paper, framed within a social justice perspective, outlines barriers to access to services at the societal and community levels including societal ideologies, differences in philosophies of care in pediatric and adult care, physical environments, and availability of services. Ethical Considerations: Since this is an exploratory discussion paper, no ethical approval was required.

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION

Based on analysis of the literature from a social justice perspective, it is suggested that the adult health care and social service systems do not provide the supports and services necessary to empower young people and their families to achieve their goals and maintain their health and quality of life. It is, thus, an ethical issue that the transfer from pediatric to adult services is occurring in the absence of appropriate services. Recommendations at the individual, community and policy levels highlight how nurses can address this ethical issue to promote more equitable access to services.

Transition to Adulthood for Young People with Medical Complexity: An Integrative Literature Review

This article explores how the empirical literature on the transition to adulthood for young people with medical complexity can inform nursing and advanced practice nursing. An integrative literature review informed by Meleis' Transition Theory and Bronfenbrenner's Bioecological Theory of Human Development was conducted including 11 studies and yielded three themes: it's like falling off a cliff, the paradox of independence, and it takes a village. The findings demonstrated a need for an increased focus on the process of transition and transfer for this complex population. Recommendations for pediatric nurses and advanced practice nurses based on these findings focus on advocacy, capacity-building, education, and program development and evaluation. Recommendations for future research are offered with a focus on determinants of health, psychosocial concerns, and program development and evaluation.

Between violation and competent care--lived experiences of dependency on care in the ICU

This study explores the perceived meaning of dependency on care as experienced by intensive care patients. Research from non-intensive settings shows that dependency is often experienced negatively, but literature on the subject experienced by patients in the ICU is sparse. The study is based on in-depth qualitative semi-structured interviews of lived experience with three former patients admitted to an intensive care unit at a Danish university hospital. The in-depth interviews have been characterized as narratives. The main inspiration for the analysis method is Ricoeur's phenomenological hermeneutical interpretation theory. The study has found that dependency is experienced as difficult, and the relationship with the nurses seems to be ambivalent. The good relationship is experienced to make dependency easier, whereas negative experiences make it harder to cope with dependency. The participants deal with dependency by accepting negative experiences in gratitude for having recovered from critical illness. The findings might be influenced by studies being conducted in a western country setting where independence is valued. They can be used as means of reflection on nursing practice and matters such as communication and patient participation.

Independent living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and home mechanical ventilation in areas of Japan with insufficient national welfare services

In Japan, there is no national 24-hour home care system for people with severe impairments. Despite this fact, a small number of people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy on home mechanical ventilation pursue independent living. Therefore, our aim was to better understand the process by which these individuals arrived at this goal for independence (i.e., choosing to live at home in Japan instead of in special sanatoriums that provide sufficient support and care). Twenty-one participants were interviewed in 2011 and 2013. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed following a grounded theory approach. These individuals placed particular emphasis on their personal choice regarding where and how they live as well as on whom they depend. Therefore, the core element underlying participants’ goals for independent living was self-reliant independency. To improve their social inclusion, the strategies used by the participants to retain their autonomy in an underdeveloped Japanese welfare system by establishing relationships with people in their communities can prevent them from experiencing social isolation. This could serve as an example to their counterparts in other countries.

A threat to the understanding of oneself: intensive care patients' experiences of dependency

This study examines the meaning of dependency on care as experienced by intensive care patients. Literature on the subject is sparse, but research from nonintensive settings shows that dependency is often experienced negatively. The study is based on in-depth qualitative semistructured interviews with three former patients characterized as narratives. The analysis is inspired by a phenomenological hermeneutical method. The study has found that dependency is experienced as difficult and that the experience seems to be attached to the relationship to oneself. Patients feel powerless and experience shame, their understanding of self is threatened, and they fight for independence in the course after intensive care. The findings might be influenced by the study being conducted in a Western country setting, where independence is valued. They can be used as means of reflection on nursing practice and matters such as communication and patient participation.

An exploration of the value of social interaction in a boys' group for adolescents with muscular dystrophy

BACKGROUND/AIM

  Engagement in peer-based social activities is a normal and important aspect of adolescence. Adolescent boys with muscular dystrophy typically lack opportunities for participation in peer-based recreation and socialization activities. 'MD Mafia' is a group which aims to reduce social isolation and offer social and recreational opportunities for adolescent boys with muscular dystrophy. This research is a qualitative exploration of the value of 'MD Mafia' and seeks to answer the question: "what does the experience of participating in 'MD Mafia', a group for adolescent boys with muscular dystrophy, mean to the boys and their parents?".

METHODS

  This research sought the views of the boys who participate in MD Mafia and their parents. The sample included seven boys and four mothers. Data collection methods included creative group activities, specifically chosen to match the participants' age, interests and skills, and online data collection. The theoretical perspective of symbolic interactionism guided the theoretical analysis of the data.

RESULTS

  Analysis of the data provided a description of the meaning and value of 'MD Mafia' from the participants' perspective. MD Mafia has a strong collective identity, which reflects ideals of masculinity and common interests. The group provides much valued opportunity for socialization in a safe and familiar environment, but parents also felt that MD Mafia could offer greater opportunities for skill development by increasing the challenge level of the activities and social environment. The theoretical analysis provides insight into the value of social interactions between participants in a group which has had positive implications for the boys as individuals and for MD Mafia as a group.

CONCLUSIONS

  The research supports a group model of service delivery for boys with muscular dystrophy and has implications for the development of the group into the future.