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Andersen SK, Chang CCH, Arnold RM, Pidro C, Darby JM, Angus DC, White DB. Impact of a family support intervention on hospitalization costs and hospital readmissions among ICU patients at high risk of death or severe functional impairment. Ann Intensive Care 2024; 14:103. [PMID: 38954149 PMCID: PMC11219699 DOI: 10.1186/s13613-024-01344-9] [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] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with advanced critical illness often receive more intensive treatment than they would choose for themselves, which contributes to high health care costs near the end of life. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a family support intervention delivered by the interprofessional ICU team decreases hospitalization costs and hospital readmissions among critically ill patients at high risk of death or severe functional impairment. RESULTS We examined index hospitalization costs as well as post-discharge utilization of acute care hospitals, rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities, and hospice services for the PARTNER trial, a multicenter, stepped-wedge, cluster randomized trial of an interprofessional ICU family support intervention. We determined patients' total controllable and direct variable costs using a computerized accounting system. We determined post-discharge resource utilization (as defined above) by structured telephone interview at 6-month follow-up. We used multiple variable regression modelling to compare outcomes between groups. Compared to usual care, the PARTNER intervention resulted in significantly lower total controllable costs (geometric mean: $26,529 vs $32,105; log-linear coefficient: - 0.30; 95% CI - 0.49, - 0.11) and direct variable costs ($3912 vs $6034; - 0.33; 95% CI - 0.56, - 0.10). A larger cost reduction occurred for decedents ($20,304 vs. $26,610; - 0.66; 95% CI - 1.01, - 0.31) compared to survivors ($31,353 vs. $35,015; - 0.15; 95% CI - 0.35,0.05). A lower proportion in the intervention arm were re-admitted to an acute care hospital (34.9% vs 45.1%; 0.66; 95% CI 0.56, 0.77) or skilled nursing facility (25.3% vs 31.6%; 0.63; 95% CI 0.47, 0.84). CONCLUSIONS A family support intervention delivered by the interprofessional ICU team significantly decreased index hospitalization costs and readmission rates over 6-month follow-up. Trial registration Trial registration number: NCT01844492.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K Andersen
- Program on Ethics and Decision Making, Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Clinical Research, Investigation, and Systems Modeling of Acute Illness (CRISMA) Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3550 Terrace St, Scaife Hall, Room 608, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Chung-Chou H Chang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The CRISMA Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Robert M Arnold
- Section of Palliative Care and Medical Ethics, Department of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Palliative and Supportive Institute, UPMC Health System, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Caroline Pidro
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The CRISMA Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Joseph M Darby
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Derek C Angus
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Douglas B White
- Program on Ethics and Decision Making, Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Clinical Research, Investigation, and Systems Modeling of Acute Illness (CRISMA) Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3550 Terrace St, Scaife Hall, Room 608, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.
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Neville TH, Taich Z, Walling AM, Bear D, Cook DJ, Tseng CH, Wenger NS. The 3 Wishes Program Improves Families' Experience of Emotional and Spiritual Support at the End of Life. J Gen Intern Med 2023; 38:115-121. [PMID: 35581456 PMCID: PMC9113739 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-022-07638-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The end-of-life (EOL) experience in the intensive care unit (ICU) is emotionally challenging, and there are opportunities for improvement. The 3 Wishes Program (3WP) promotes the dignity of dying patients and their families by eliciting and implementing wishes at the EOL. AIM To assess whether the 3WP is associated with improved ratings of EOL care. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION In the 3WP, clinicians elicit and fulfill simple wishes for dying patients and their families. SETTING 2-hospital academic healthcare system. PARTICIPANTS Dying patients in the ICU and their families. PROGRAM EVALUATION A modified Bereaved Family Survey (BFS), a validated tool for measuring EOL care quality, was completed by families of ICU decedents approximately 3 months after death. We compared patients whose care involved the 3WP to those who did not using three BFS-derived measures: Respectful Care and Communication (5 questions), Emotional and Spiritual Support (3 questions), and the BFS-Performance Measure (BFS-PM, a single-item global measure of care). RESULTS Of 314 completed surveys, 117 were for patients whose care included the 3WP. Bereaved families of 3WP patients rated the Emotional and Spiritual Support factor significantly higher (7.5 vs. 6.0, p = 0.003, adjusted p = 0.001) than those who did not receive the 3WP. The Respectful Care and Communication factor and BFS-PM were no different between groups. DISCUSSION The 3WP is a low-cost intervention that may be a feasible strategy for improving the EOL experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanh H Neville
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Zachary Taich
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Anne M Walling
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Veteran Affairs, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Danielle Bear
- UCLA Office of the Patient Experience, UCLA Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Deborah J Cook
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chi-Hong Tseng
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Neil S Wenger
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Gautier WC, Abaye M, Dev S, Seaman JB, Butler RA, Norman MK, Arnold RM, Witteman HO, Cook TE, Mohan D, White DB. An Online Training Program to Improve Clinicians' Skills in Communicating About Serious Illness. Am J Crit Care 2022; 31:189-201. [PMID: 35466353 DOI: 10.4037/ajcc2022105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Large-scale efforts to train clinicians in serious-illness communication skills are needed, but 2 important gaps in knowledge remain. (1) No proven training method exists that can be readily scaled to train thousands of clinicians. (2) Though the value of interprofessional collaboration to support incapacitated patients' surrogates is increasingly recognized, few interventions for training intensive care unit (ICU) nurses in important communication skills can be leveraged to provide interprofessional family support. OBJECTIVE To develop and test a web/videoconference-based platform to train nurses to communicate about serious illness. METHODS A user-centered process was used to develop the intervention, including (1) iteratively engaging a stakeholder panel, (2) developing prototype and beta versions of the platform, and (3) 3 rounds of user testing with 13 ICU nurses. Participants' ratings of usability, acceptability, and perceived effectiveness were assessed quantitatively and qualitatively. RESULTS Stakeholders stressed that the intervention should leverage interactive learning and a streamlined digital interface. A training platform was developed consisting of 6 interactive online training lessons and 3 group-based video-conference practice sessions. Participants rated the program as usable (mean summary score 84 [96th percentile]), acceptable (mean, 4.5/5; SD, 0.7), and effective (mean, 4.8/5; SD, 0.6). Ten of 13 nurses would recommend the intervention over 2-day in-person training. CONCLUSIONS Nurses testing this web-based training program judged it usable, acceptable, and effective. These data support proceeding with an appropriately powered efficacy trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- William C. Gautier
- William C. Gautier is a medical student, School of Medicine; Department of Critical Care Medicine; Clinical Research, Investigation, and Systems Modeling of Acute Illness Center; Program on Ethics and Decision Making in Critical Illness, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Menna Abaye
- Menna Abaye is a research project manager, School of Medicine; Department of Critical Care Medicine; Clinical Research, Investigation, and Systems Modeling of Acute Illness Center; Program on Ethics and Decision Making in Critical Illness, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Shelly Dev
- Shelly Dev is an assistant professor, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Canada
| | - Jennifer B. Seaman
- Jennifer B. Seaman is an assistant professor, School of Nursing, Department of Acute and Tertiary Care, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Rachel A. Butler
- Rachel A. Butler is a research program manager, School of Medicine; Department of Critical Care Medicine; Clinical Research, Investigation, and Systems Modeling of Acute Illness Center; Program on Ethics and Decision Making in Critical Illness, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Marie K. Norman
- Marie K. Norman is an associate professor, School of Medicine, General Internal Medicine, Medicine and Clinical and Translational Science, Innovation Design for Education and Assessment (IDEA) Lab, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Robert M. Arnold
- Robert M. Arnold is a professor, School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Palliative and Supportive Institute, Pennsylvania
| | - Holly O. Witteman
- Holly O. Witteman is a professor, Department of Family and Emergency Medicine & Office of Education and Professional Development, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Québec, Canada
| | - Tara E. Cook
- Tara E. Cook was an assistant professor, School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Deepika Mohan
- Deepika Mohan is an associate professor, School of Medicine; Department of Critical Care Medicine; Clinical Research, Investigation, and Systems Modeling of Acute Illness Center; Program on Ethics and Decision Making in Critical Illness, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Douglas B. White
- Douglas B. White is a professor, School of Medicine; Department of Critical Care Medicine; Clinical Research, Investigation, and Systems Modeling of Acute Illness Center; Program on Ethics and Decision Making in Critical Illness, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Critical but stable—critical care communication in the COVID-19 pandemic**. Intensive Care Med 2022; 48:1127-1129. [PMID: 35347372 PMCID: PMC8960208 DOI: 10.1007/s00134-022-06675-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Weiss JM, Alzawad Z. The challenges of PICU research: Lessons learned from a minimal-risk study with PICU parents. J Pediatr Nurs 2022; 62:208-210. [PMID: 34716058 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2021.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Research conducted in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) with families is essential to advancing evidenced-based practice and improving patient outcomes in this unique setting. However, several ethical, logistical, and methodological challenges have been cited in the literature as having a significant effect on the development of PICU research. Investigators at a large midwestern health care center encountered several challenges during the course of a minimal-risk, survey-based study with parents of PICU patients. This manuscript aims to highlight the challenges faced by the research team, which included challenges related to the environment of the PICU, the patients' length of stay, the health status of the patient, and the etiology of the patient's admission, as well as share the actions that the research team took to address these challenges.
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Norouzadeh R, Heidari MR, Rahimi F, Kazemnejad A. Psychometric Properties of the "ICU Nurses" Perceptions Questionnaire of Self-Performance with Families of Critically Ill Patients (Persian Version). J Nurs Meas 2021; 30:135-147. [PMID: 34518435 DOI: 10.1891/jnm-d-20-00069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Nurses' self-perception of their performance toward family members of patients is one of the most important issues in predicting family adaptive behaviors. This study analyze the psychometric properties of the Persian version of ICU nurses' perceptions questionnaire of self-performance with families of critically ill patients. METHODS Among 135 intensive care nurses, to determine face validity, 10 nurses were asked to comment on, comprehensibility, grammar, and writing of items. Exploratory factor analysis was used to assess construct validity. RESULTS The intra-cluster correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.82 and Cronbach's alpha was 0.74. Exploratory factor analysis showed the first nine related factors have 65.22% variance. CONCLUSION Persian version of "ICU nurses' perceptions of self-performance with families of critically ill patients" had good reliability and validity.
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Flugelman MY. How to talk with the family of a dying patient: anger to understanding, rage to compassion, loss to acceptance. BMJ Support Palliat Care 2021; 11:418-421. [PMID: 34312184 PMCID: PMC8606451 DOI: 10.1136/bmjspcare-2021-002971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Informing families about the impending or actual death of their relatives is one of the most challenging and complex tasks a physician may face. The following article describes goal setting and provides five roles/recommendations for conducting the encounter with patient families regarding the imminent or actual death of their relatives. Importantly, the encounter should be family-centred, and the physician should be highly attentive to family needs. The following roles should be applied based on family needs and should not be sequential as numbered. The first and basic role is to inform the family at the earliest possible time and as often as possible. The second goal of the physician is to convey to the family that their relative received the needed therapy during his hospitalisation or in the community. The third goal of the physician is to help the family reach acceptance of the death of their relative and leave the hospital having moved beyond anger and bargaining. The fourth goal of the physician during the encounters is to reduce or alleviate guilt by stating that nothing could have changed the course of the disease and that all efforts were made to save the patient. The fifth role of the physician is to try and help the family as a single entity and maintain their unity during this stressful situation. Following these roles/methods will help families in the stressful situation and will create the difference between anger and understanding, rage and compassion, and loss and acceptance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moshe Y Flugelman
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Lady Davis Carmel Medical Center, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
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Aghaie B, Anoosheh M, Foroughan M, Mohammadi E, Kazemnejad A. A Whirlpool of Stress in Families of Intensive Care Unit Patients: A Qualitative Multicenter Study. Crit Care Nurse 2021; 41:55-64. [PMID: 34061191 DOI: 10.4037/ccn2021322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Family members of patients admitted to the intensive care unit must tolerate high levels of stress, making them emotionally and physically vulnerable. However, little is known about the kinds of stress family members may experience. OBJECTIVE To explore perceived stress in the families of patients admitted to the intensive care unit. METHODS This qualitative content analysis study involved 23 family members of patients admitted to intensive care units. Participants were drawn from family members of patients hospitalized in intensive care units of 3 public and 2 private hospitals. Data were collected through semistructured interviews. RESULTS Three themes emerged from the data: "distrust," "repeated stress exposure," and "a whirlpool of persistent negative emotional-physical state." The first theme had 2 categories: "fearful mindset" and "negative beliefs about professional caregivers." The second theme also had 2 categories: "fear of the future" and "sustained accumulation of tensions." The third theme had 3 categories: "impaired mental health," "impaired physical health," and "impaired family function." CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study may help critical care nurses better understand the nature and sources of family stresses during a patient's intensive care unit stay. Supervisory nurses should alert their staff to these issues so that family care programs can address them, thereby reducing family members' risk of posttraumatic stress disorder and post-intensive care syndrome-family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahman Aghaie
- Bahman Aghaie is an assistant professor, Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
| | - Monireh Anoosheh
- Monireh Anoosheh is an associate professor, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahshid Foroughan
- Mahshid Foroughan is an associate professor, Research Center on Aging, Department of Gerontology, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Esa Mohammadi
- Esa Mohammadi is a professor, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University
| | - Anoshirvan Kazemnejad
- Anoshirvan Kazemnejad is a professor, Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Tarbiat Modares University
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Al-Sheikhly D, Östlundh L, Arayssi T. Remediation of learners struggling with communication skills: a systematic review. BMC MEDICAL EDUCATION 2020; 20:215. [PMID: 32646405 PMCID: PMC7350558 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-020-02074-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Communication skills is a core area of competency for healthcare practitioners. However, trainees deficient in those skills are not identified early enough to address the deficiency. Furthermore, faculty often struggle to identify effective remediation strategies for those who fail to meet expectations. We undertook a systematic review to determine which assessment methods are appropriate to identify learners that struggle with communication skills and the strategies used to remediate them. METHODS The literature was searched from January 1998 through to May 2019 using academic databases and grey literature. Trainees were defined as healthcare practitioners in undergraduate, graduate and continuing education. Characteristics of studies, assessment and intervention strategies and outcomes were synthesized qualitatively and summarized in tables. RESULTS From an initial 1636 records, 16 (1%) studies met the review criteria. Majority of the learners were medical students. A few studies (44%) included students from other disciplines, residents and physicians in practice. The remediation programs, in the studies, ranged from 1 week to 1 year. Around half of the studies focused solely on learners struggling with communication skills. The majority of studies used a format of a clinical OSCE to identify struggling learners. None of the studies had a single intervention strategy with the majority including an experiential component with feedback. CONCLUSIONS A few studies collectively described the diagnosis, remediation intervention and the assessment of the outcomes of remediation of communication skills. For a remediation strategy to be successful it is important to ensure: (i) early identification and diagnosis, (ii) the development of an individualized plan and (iii) providing reassessment with feedback to the learner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deema Al-Sheikhly
- Division of Continuing Professional Development, Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Linda Östlundh
- National Medical Library, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, UAE
| | - Thurayya Arayssi
- Medical Education and Continuing Professional Development, Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar, Doha, Qatar
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Vanstone M, Neville TH, Swinton ME, Sadik M, Clarke FJ, LeBlanc A, Tam B, Takaoka A, Hoad N, Hancock J, McMullen S, Reeve B, Dechert W, Smith OM, Sandhu G, Lockington J, Cook DJ. Expanding the 3 Wishes Project for compassionate end-of-life care: a qualitative evaluation of local adaptations. BMC Palliat Care 2020; 19:93. [PMID: 32605623 PMCID: PMC7325646 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-020-00601-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The 3 Wishes Project (3WP) is an end-of-life program that honors the dignity of dying patients by fostering meaningful connections among patients, families, and clinicians. Since 2013, it has become embedded in the culture of end-of-life care in over 20 ICUs across North America. The purpose of the current study is to describe the variation in implementation of 3WP across sites, in order to ascertain which factors facilitated multicenter implementation, which factors remain consistent across sites, and which may be adapted to suit local needs. METHODS Using the methodology of qualitative description, we collected interview and focus group data from 85 clinicians who participated in the successful initiation and sustainment of 3WP in 9 ICUs. We describe the transition between different models of 3WP implementation, from core clinical program to the incorporation of various research activities. We describe various sources of financial and in-kind resources accessed to support the program. RESULTS Beyond sharing a common goal of improving end-of-life care, sites varied considerably in organizational context, staff complement, and resources. Despite these differences, the program was successfully implemented at each site and eventually evolved from a clinical or research intervention to a general approach to end-of-life care. Key to this success was flexibility and the empowerment of frontline staff to tailor the program to address identified needs with available resources. This adaptability was fueled by cross-pollination of ideas within and outside of each site, resulting in the establishment of a network of like-minded individuals with a shared purpose. CONCLUSIONS The successful initiation and sustainment of 3WP relied on local adaptations to suit organizational needs and resources. The semi-structured nature of the program facilitated these adaptations, encouraged creative and important ways of relating within local clinical cultures, and reinforced the main tenet of the program: meaningful human connection at the end of life. Local adaptations also encouraged a team approach to care, supplementing the typical patient-clinician dyad by explicitly empowering the healthcare team to collectively recognize and respond to the needs of dying patients, families, and each other. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT04147169 , retrospectively registered with clinicaltrials.gov on October 31, 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meredith Vanstone
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Thanh H Neville
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care, University of California Los Angeles, California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Marilyn E Swinton
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marina Sadik
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - France J Clarke
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Allana LeBlanc
- Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Benjamin Tam
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Alyson Takaoka
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Neala Hoad
- Department of Critical Care, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Sarah McMullen
- Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Brenda Reeve
- Department of Medicine, Brantford General Hospital, Brantford, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Orla M Smith
- Critical Care Department, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gyan Sandhu
- Critical Care Department, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Deborah J Cook
- Departments of Medicine and Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
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Lincoln T, Shields AM, Buddadhumaruk P, Chang CCH, Pike F, Chen H, Brown E, Kozar V, Pidro C, Kahn JM, Darby JM, Martin S, Angus DC, Arnold RM, White DB. Protocol for a randomised trial of an interprofessional team-delivered intervention to support surrogate decision-makers in ICUs. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e033521. [PMID: 32229520 PMCID: PMC7170558 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although shortcomings in clinician-family communication and decision making for incapacitated, critically ill patients are common, there are few rigorously tested interventions to improve outcomes. In this manuscript, we present our methodology for the Pairing Re-engineered Intensive Care Unit Teams with Nurse-Driven Emotional support and Relationship Building (PARTNER 2) trial, and discuss design challenges and their resolution. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This is a pragmatic, stepped-wedge, cluster randomised controlled trial comparing the PARTNER 2 intervention to usual care among 690 incapacitated, critically ill patients and their surrogates in five ICUs in Pennsylvania. Eligible subjects will include critically ill patients at high risk of death and/or severe long-term functional impairment, their main surrogate decision-maker and their clinicians. The PARTNER intervention is delivered by the interprofessional ICU team and overseen by 4-6 nurses from each ICU. It involves: (1) advanced communication skills training for nurses to deliver support to surrogates throughout the ICU stay; (2) deploying a structured family support pathway; (3) enacting strategies to foster collaboration between ICU and palliative care services and (4) providing intensive implementation support to each ICU to incorporate the family support pathway into clinicians' workflow. The primary outcome is surrogates' ratings of the quality of communication during the ICU stay as assessed by telephone at 6-month follow-up. Prespecified secondary outcomes include surrogates' scores on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Impact of Event Scale, the modified Patient Perception of Patient Centredness scale, the Decision Regret Scale, nurses' scores on the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and length of stay during and costs of the index hospitalisation.We also discuss key methodological challenges, including determining the optimal level of randomisation, using existing staff to deploy the intervention and maximising long-term follow-up of participants. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION We obtained ethics approval through the University of Pittsburgh, Human Research Protection Office. The findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT02445937.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Lincoln
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Section of Palliative Care and Medical Ethics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Anne-Marie Shields
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The CRISMA Center, Program on Ethics and Decision Making, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Praewpannarai Buddadhumaruk
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The CRISMA Center, Program on Ethics and Decision Making, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Chung-Chou H Chang
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The CRISMA Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Francis Pike
- Department of Neuroscience, Ely Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Hsiangyu Chen
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Elke Brown
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The CRISMA Center, Program on Ethics and Decision Making, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Veronica Kozar
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The CRISMA Center, Program on Ethics and Decision Making, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Caroline Pidro
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The CRISMA Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jeremy M Kahn
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The CRISMA Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Joseph M Darby
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The CRISMA Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- ICU Service Center, UPMC Health System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Susan Martin
- Donald Wolff Center for Quality Improvement and Innovation, UPMC Health System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Derek C Angus
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The CRISMA Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- ICU Service Center, UPMC Health System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Robert M Arnold
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Section of Palliative Care and Medical Ethics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Palliative Support Institute, UPMC Health System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Douglas B White
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The CRISMA Center, Program on Ethics and Decision Making, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- ICU Service Center, UPMC Health System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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Baker A, Lagatta J, Leuthner S, Acharya K. Does prenatal counseling for pregnancies complicated by multiple fetal abnormalities concord with postnatal outcomes? Prenat Diagn 2020; 40:538-548. [PMID: 31913526 DOI: 10.1002/pd.5636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In pregnancies complicated by multiple fetal abnormalities, our objective was to determine the degree of concordance between prenatal prognosis and postnatal outcomes. METHOD Retrospective cohort study of pregnancies with multiple fetal abnormalities referred to the Fetal Concerns Center of Wisconsin (FCCW) from 2015 to 2018. We reviewed records for anomalies, given prognostic severity, and postnatal outcomes. Prognostic severity was categorized as "likely mortality," "severe impairment," "moderate," and "mild" based on predetermined criteria. RESULTS In 85 pregnancies with multiple fetal abnormalities, 48% were given a prognosis of "likely mortality," and 19% were given a prognosis of "severe impairment." In pregnancies that were continued after being counseled as "likely mortality," this outcome was concordant in all but one case, despite medical interventions. In pregnancies counseled as "severe impairment," the more common outcome was mortality or severe impairment in 88% of cases and survival with severe impairment in 33% of cases. Postnatal outcomes were concordant with prenatal severity in 68% of the cases, more severe in 20% of the cases, and less severe in fewer than 5% of cases. CONCLUSION Prenatal predictions about severe outcomes are usually true in pregnancies complicated by multiple abnormalities. In cases of outcome discordance, outcomes tend to be more severe than predicted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Baker
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Joanne Lagatta
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Steven Leuthner
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Krishna Acharya
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
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13
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Ganz FD. Improving Family Intensive Care Unit Experiences at the End of Life: Barriers and Facilitators. Crit Care Nurse 2020; 39:52-58. [PMID: 31154331 DOI: 10.4037/ccn2019721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Experiencing the end of life of a family member in the intensive care unit is clearly difficult. An important role of critical care nurses is to help family members through this challenging period. This article highlights a few clinically significant barriers and facilitators related to improving family experiences at the patient's end of life that have received less attention in the literature thus far. Facilitators include specific aspects of communication, the nurse's role as the coordinator of care, bereavement care, promoting a "good death," and caring for health care providers. Barriers include medical uncertainty and differences in values and culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freda DeKeyser Ganz
- Freda DeKeyser Ganz is Department Chair, Hadassah-Hebrew University School of Nursing, Jerusalem, Israel.
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14
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Barnard C, Sandhu A, Cooke S. When Differing Perspectives Between Health Care Providers and Parents Lead to "Communication Crises": A Conceptual Framework to Support Prevention and Navigation in the Pediatric Hospital Setting. Hosp Pediatr 2019; 9:39-45. [PMID: 30587504 DOI: 10.1542/hpeds.2018-0069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The communication experience and therapeutic relationships between parents and health care providers (HCPs) impacts the quality of patient care. A guiding "communication crisis" description was created to encourage study participants to describe difficult communication encounters between parents and HCPs where their perspectives regarding the recommended patient care conflicted (ie, parent refusal of a lumbar puncture), which created barriers to the provision of optimal care and the development of therapeutic relationships in the pediatric hospital setting. The purpose of this research was to highlight factors that may contribute to communication crises through the characterization of these circumstances. METHODS Participants were multidisciplinary HCPs and parents (n = 37) with firsthand experience regarding communication crises. Data were collected through focus groups (7), semistructured interviews (2), and a verification focus group where open-ended questions regarding participants' experiences were used. Data were analyzed by using a constructivist grounded theory approach. RESULTS Three themes and 11 subthemes (communication crisis risk factors) were identified: (1) health care team factors (communication skills, care processes, and interprofessional communication), (2) family and/or parent factors (language or cultural barriers, mental health conditions, socioeconomic factors, and beliefs), (3) patient factors (acute condition, unclear diagnosis, unstable condition, and medical complexity). A core theory emerged: parent trust in their HCP significantly impacts the therapeutic relationship and can mitigate communication crises despite the presence of risk factors. CONCLUSIONS We highlight factors that may be predisposing to communication crises in pediatric hospital settings. Awareness of these factors can support timely identification and implementation of relationship care and foster the establishment of trusting relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantelle Barnard
- Section of Hospital Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; and
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Amonpreet Sandhu
- Section of Hospital Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; and
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Suzette Cooke
- Section of Hospital Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; and
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Kentish-Barnes N, Chevret S, Azoulay E. Guiding intensive care physicians' communication and behavior towards bereaved relatives: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial (COSMIC-EOL). Trials 2018; 19:698. [PMID: 30577862 PMCID: PMC6303988 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-018-3084-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Providing appropriate support and care for end-of-life patients and their relatives is a major concern and a daily responsibility for intensivists. Bereaved relatives of non-surviving patients in intensive care units (ICUs) often suffer from prolonged grief, posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. A physician-driven intervention, consisting of three meetings with the family, might reduce the post-ICU burden of bereaved family members 6 month after death. The patient’s nurse is actively involved at each step. We hypothesize that this strategy will improve communication in the end-of-life setting and thus, should reduce the post-ICU burden for family members, specifically the development of prolonged grief 6 months after the death. Methods/design The COSMIC-EOL trial is a prospective, multicenter, cluster randomized controlled trial in which centers are allocated to two parallel arms: (1) intervention centers where relatives benefit from three-step physician-driven support during the dying and death process and (2) control centers where, during the dying and death process, relatives receive the standard of care practice. Each of the 36 participating centers will include 25 relatives of patients with a length of stay ≥2 days. Participating relatives will be followed up by phone at 1, 3, and 6 months after the patient’s death to complete questionnaires permitting evaluation of their post-ICU burden. The main outcome is prolonged grief measured 6 months after the death using the PG-13. Other outcomes include evaluation of quality of dying, quality of communication, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress. The estimated duration of the study is 36 months. Discussion The results of the trial will provide information about the effectiveness of physician-driven support for relatives of patients dying in an ICU. The study is expected to demonstrate a decrease in the ICU burden for bereaved relatives who benefitted from this intervention. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02955992. Registered on November 3rd 2016. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13063-018-3084-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Kentish-Barnes
- AP-HP, Saint Louis University Hospital, Medical Intensive Care Unit, Famiréa Group, 1 avenue Claude Vellefaux, Paris, France.
| | - Sylvie Chevret
- ECSTRA Team, Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology, UMR 1153 (CRESS), INSERM, Paris Diderot Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Elie Azoulay
- AP-HP, Saint Louis University Hospital, Medical Intensive Care Unit, Famiréa Group, 1 avenue Claude Vellefaux, Paris, France.,ECSTRA Team, Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology, UMR 1153 (CRESS), INSERM, Paris Diderot Sorbonne University, Paris, France
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16
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Abstract
In Spain, there is a general tendency to conceal the prognosis from a terminally ill patient. We conducted grounded-theory-based, phenomenologi-cal, qualitative research on this using a final sample of 42 in-depth interviews with doctors and nurses from different fields. We found that most health professionals believe that although patients don't ask questions, they know what is happening to them. Many professionals feel bad when communicating bad news. In hospitals, doctors take responsibility for doing so. The attitudes of professionals are influenced by their sense of responsibility and commitment to the principle of patient autonomy, as well as to the level of their agreement with the cultural context. The tacit agreement of silence makes communication impossible: the patient does not ask questions, the health professional does not want to be interrogated, and family members don't talk about the disease and want health professionals to follow their example. This situation is detrimental to patients and their families and leads to suffering, low levels of satisfaction, and feelings of guilt and helplessness. Health care professionals must acquire the means and the skills for communicating bad news.
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Medical Record Quality Assessments of Palliative Care for Intensive Care Unit Patients. Do They Match the Perspectives of Nurses and Families? Ann Am Thorac Soc 2017; 13:690-8. [PMID: 27144795 DOI: 10.1513/annalsats.201508-501oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE To understand how well palliative care is provided in the intensive care unit (ICU) and to direct improvements, measurement of the quality of care delivered is requisite. OBJECTIVES To measure the quality of palliative care delivered in the ICU, using chart review-derived process quality measures of palliative care in critically ill patients, and to compare these measures with family and nursing perspectives on the quality of care provided. METHODS We developed and operationalized a comprehensive quality evaluation measure set from previously endorsed palliative care measure statements, using a rigorous multidisciplinary Delphi process focused on optimizing the validity and feasibility of chart review-derived metrics. Fourteen process measures assessed the quality of care delivered across established domains of palliative care for the ICU. We assessed the quality of care for ICU patients with ICU length of stay exceeding 2 days from three perspectives: medical record reviews, family satisfaction reports, and nurse ratings from those providing care in the ICU. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS We evaluated the care over a 7-month period of 150 patients (mean age, 63.9 yr [SD 13.4], average ICU length of stay, 7.5 d [SD 7.2]). Overall, ICU patients received 53.1% of recommended palliative care. The Family Satisfaction with Care in the Intensive Care Unit total scores from 136 family members (response rate, 91%) were high, 85.7 (SE 2.0) and 86.0 (SE 1.6), at the two sites but not correlated to measured quality delivered. Nurses rated the quality of care higher than medical record review (mean, 77.3% [SD 13.4]; n = 135) and similarly correlation with chart based process measures was poor. CONCLUSIONS Delivering high-quality palliative care in the ICU requires assessing key patient-centered domains. However, assessments from different perspectives do not always agree with technical quality of care as measured through chart-based metrics. We found deficits across seven domains of technical quality that were not correlated with either nurse or family ratings. Despite care gaps, families were generally satisfied with the care delivered. We conclude that each measurement perspective provides an independent view that can guide quality improvement and innovation work as well as subsequent research.
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18
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Dose AM, Carey EC, Rhudy LM, Chiu Y, Frimannsdottir K, Ottenberg AL, Koenig BA. Dying in the Hospital: Perspectives of family members. J Palliat Care 2017; 31:13-20. [DOI: 10.1177/082585971503100103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background Although most patients express a preference to die at home, many (over 30 percent) still die in hospital. This study's purpose was to explore the experience of hospital death from the perspective of patients’ family members. Methods Interviews were conducted with family members of patients who had died at hospitals affiliated with a large tertiary referral centre in the United States. Content analysis was used to analyze findings. Findings We interviewed 30 family members by phone. Themes were arranged by time frame: before death, time of death, and after death. Conclusion Families do not interpret clinical cues leading up to death in the same way healthcare providers do; families need clear and direct explanations from providers. Clinicians should assess patient and family understandings of prognosis and communicate clearly and directly. Family members value being with their loved one at the time of death, and they value spending time with the body after death; this should be facilitated in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Marie Dose
- Division of Nursing Research, Department of Nursing, Mayo Clinic, Eisenberg SL-41, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, Minnesota, USA 55905
| | - Elise C. Carey
- Section of Palliative Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Lori M. Rhudy
- Division of Nursing Research, Department of Nursing, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA; and University of Minnesota School of Nursing, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Yichen Chiu
- Biomedical Ethics Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | | | | | - Barbara A. Koenig
- Institute for Health and Aging, University of California San Francisco School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, USA
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19
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Virdun C, Luckett T, Lorenz K, Davidson PM, Phillips J. Dying in the hospital setting: A meta-synthesis identifying the elements of end-of-life care that patients and their families describe as being important. Palliat Med 2017; 31:587-601. [PMID: 27932631 DOI: 10.1177/0269216316673547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite most expected deaths occurring in hospital, optimal end-of-life care is not available for all in this setting. AIM To gain a richer and deeper understanding of elements of end-of-life care that consumers consider most important within the hospital setting. DESIGN A meta-synthesis. DATA SOURCES A systematic search of Academic Search Complete, AMED, CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, PubMed, Google, Google Scholar and CareSearch for qualitative studies published between 1990 and April 2015 reporting statements by consumers regarding important elements of end-of-life hospital care. Study quality was appraised by two independent researchers using an established checklist. A three-stage synthesis approach focusing on consumer quotes, rather than primary author themes, was adopted for this review. RESULTS Of 1922 articles, 16 met the inclusion criteria providing patient and family data for analysis. Synthesis yielded 7 patient and 10 family themes including 6 common themes: (1) expert care, (2) effective communication and shared decision-making, (3) respectful and compassionate care, (4) adequate environment for care, (5) family involvement and (6) financial affairs. Maintenance of sense of self was the additional patient theme, while the four additional family themes were as follows: (1) maintenance of patient safety, (2) preparation for death, (3) care extending to the family after patient death and (4) enabling patient choice at the end of life. CONCLUSION Consumer narratives help to provide a clearer direction as to what is important for hospital end-of-life care. Systems are needed to enable optimal end-of-life care, in accordance with consumer priorities, and embedded into routine hospital care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Virdun
- 1 Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Tim Luckett
- 1 Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Karl Lorenz
- 2 Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, USA.,3 The RAND Corporation, USA.,8 Stanford School of Medicine, USA
| | - Patricia M Davidson
- 1 Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Ultimo, NSW, Australia.,4 School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University (JHU), Baltimore, MD, USA.,5 St. Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jane Phillips
- 1 Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Ultimo, NSW, Australia.,2 Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, USA.,6 School of Nursing, Sydney, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,7 Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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20
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Relatives of intensive care unit patients who lack or have reduced capacity to consent are entitled to information and participation in decision-making together with the patient. Practice varies with legislation in different countries. In Norway, crucial decisions such as withdrawing treatment are made by clinicians, usually morally justified to relatives with reference to the principle of non-maleficence. The relatives should, however, be consulted about whether they know what the patient would have wished in the situation. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES: To examine and describe relatives' experiences of responsibility in the intensive care unit decision-making process. RESEARCH DESIGN: A secondary analysis of interviews with bereaved relatives of intensive care unit patients was performed, using a narrative analytical approach. PARTICIPANTS AND RESEARCH CONTEXT: In all, 27 relatives of 21 deceased intensive care unit patients were interviewed about their experiences from the end-of-life decision-making process. Most interviews took place in the participants' homes, 3-12 months after the patient's death. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS: Based on informed consent, the study was approved by the Data Protection Official of the Norwegian Social Science Data Services and by the Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics. FINDINGS: The results show that intensive care unit relatives experienced a sense of responsibility in the decision-making process, independently of clinicians' intention of sparing them. Some found this troublesome. Three different variants of participation were revealed, ranging from paternalism to a more active role for relatives. DISCUSSION: For the study participants, the sense of responsibility reflects the fact that ethics and responsibility are grounded in the individual's relationship to other people. Relatives need to be included in a continuous dialogue over time to understand decisions and responsibility. CONCLUSION: Nurses and physicians should acknowledge and address relatives' sense of responsibility, include them in regular dialogue and help them separate their responsibility from that of the clinicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranveig Lind
- UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Norway; University Hospital of North Norway, Norway
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21
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van Mol MMC, Boeter TGW, Verharen L, Kompanje EJO, Bakker J, Nijkamp MD. Patient- and family-centred care in the intensive care unit: a challenge in the daily practice of healthcare professionals. J Clin Nurs 2017; 26:3212-3223. [DOI: 10.1111/jocn.13669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Margo MC van Mol
- Department of Intensive Care Adults; Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam; Rotterdam the Netherlands
| | - Trudi GW Boeter
- Department of Intensive Care Adults; Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam; Rotterdam the Netherlands
| | | | - Erwin JO Kompanje
- Department of Intensive Care Adults; Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam; Rotterdam the Netherlands
| | - Jan Bakker
- Department of Intensive Care Adults; Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam; Rotterdam the Netherlands
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine; Department of Medicine; Columbia University Medical Center; New York NY USA
| | - Marjan D Nijkamp
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences; Open University of the Netherlands; Heerlen the Netherlands
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22
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Ernecoff NC, Witteman HO, Chon K, Chen YI, Buddadhumaruk P, Chiarchiaro J, Shotsberger KJ, Shields AM, Myers BA, Hough CL, Carson SS, Lo B, Matthay MA, Anderson WG, Peterson MW, Steingrub JS, Arnold RM, White DB. Key stakeholders' perceptions of the acceptability and usefulness of a tablet-based tool to improve communication and shared decision making in ICUs. J Crit Care 2016; 33:19-25. [PMID: 27037049 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrc.2016.01.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2015] [Revised: 01/10/2016] [Accepted: 01/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Although barriers to shared decision making in intensive care units are well documented, there are currently no easily scaled interventions to overcome these problems. We sought to assess stakeholders' perceptions of the acceptability, usefulness, and design suggestions for a tablet-based tool to support communication and shared decision making in ICUs. METHODS We conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with 58 key stakeholders (30 surrogates and 28 ICU care providers). Interviews explored stakeholders' perceptions about the acceptability of a tablet-based tool to support communication and shared decision making, including the usefulness of modules focused on orienting families to the ICU, educating them about the surrogate's role, completing a question prompt list, eliciting patient values, educating about treatment options, eliciting perceptions about prognosis, and providing psychosocial support resources. The interviewer also elicited stakeholders' design suggestions for such a tool. We used constant comparative methods to identify key themes that arose during the interviews. RESULTS Overall, 95% (55/58) of participants perceived the proposed tool to be acceptable, with 98% (57/58) of interviewees finding six or more of the seven content domains acceptable. Stakeholders identified several potential benefits of the tool including that it would help families prepare for the surrogate role and for family meetings as well as give surrogates time and a framework to think about the patient's values and treatment options. Key design suggestions included: conceptualize the tool as a supplement to rather than a substitute for surrogate-clinician communication; make the tool flexible with respect to how, where, and when surrogates can access the tool; incorporate interactive exercises; use video and narration to minimize the cognitive load of the intervention; and build an extremely simple user interface to maximize usefulness for individuals with low computer literacy. CONCLUSION There is broad support among stakeholders for the use of a tablet-based tool to improve communication and shared decision making in ICUs. Eliciting the perspectives of key stakeholders early in the design process yielded important insights to create a tool tailored to the needs of surrogates and care providers in ICUs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie C Ernecoff
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Holly O Witteman
- Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada; Office of Education and Continuing Professional Development, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada; Research Centre of the CHU de Québec, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Kristen Chon
- Clinical Research, Investigation, and Systems Modeling of Acute Illness (CRISMA) Center, Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Yanquan Iris Chen
- Human-Computer Interaction Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Praewpannarai Buddadhumaruk
- Clinical Research, Investigation, and Systems Modeling of Acute Illness (CRISMA) Center, Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Jared Chiarchiaro
- Clinical Research, Investigation, and Systems Modeling of Acute Illness (CRISMA) Center, Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
| | | | - Anne-Marie Shields
- Clinical Research, Investigation, and Systems Modeling of Acute Illness (CRISMA) Center, Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Brad A Myers
- Human-Computer Interaction Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Catherine L Hough
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Shannon S Carson
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
| | | | - Michael A Matthay
- Departments of Medicine and Anesthesia, Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Wendy G Anderson
- Department of Medicine and Division of Hosiptal Medicine and Palliative Care Program, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Michael W Peterson
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco Fresno Medical Education Program, Fresno, CA
| | - Jay S Steingrub
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, Massachusetts and Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - Robert M Arnold
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Douglas B White
- Clinical Research, Investigation, and Systems Modeling of Acute Illness (CRISMA) Center, Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA.
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23
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Probst DR, Gustin JL, Goodman LF, Lorenz A, Wells-Di Gregorio SM. ICU versus Non-ICU Hospital Death: Family Member Complicated Grief, Posttraumatic Stress, and Depressive Symptoms. J Palliat Med 2016; 19:387-93. [PMID: 26828564 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2015.0120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Family members of patients who die in an ICU are at increased risk of psychological sequelae compared to those who experience a death in hospice. OBJECTIVE This study explored differences in rates and levels of complicated grief (CG), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression between family members of patients who died in an ICU versus a non-ICU hospital setting. Differences in family members' most distressing experiences at the patient's end of life were also explored. METHODS The study was an observational cohort. Subjects were next of kin of 121 patients who died at a large, Midwestern academic hospital; 77 died in the ICU. Family members completed measures of CG, PTSD, depression, and end-of-life experiences. RESULTS Participants were primarily Caucasian (93%, N = 111), female (81%, N = 98), spouses (60%, N = 73) of the decedent, and were an average of nine months post-bereavement. Forty percent of family members met the Inventory of Complicated Grief CG cut-off, 31% met the Impact of Events Scale-Revised PTSD cut-off, and 51% met the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale depression cut-off. There were no significant differences in rates or levels of CG, PTSD, or depressive symptoms reported by family members between hospital settings. Several distressing experiences were ranked highly by both groups, but each setting presented unique distressing experiences for family members. CONCLUSIONS Psychological distress of family members did not differ by hospital setting, but the most distressing experiences encountered at end of life in each setting highlight potentially unique interventions to reduce distress post-bereavement for family members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle R Probst
- 1 Department of Psychiatry, Division of Palliative Medicine, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University , Columbus, Ohio.,2 Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Palliative Medicine, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University , Columbus, Ohio
| | - Jillian L Gustin
- 2 Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Palliative Medicine, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University , Columbus, Ohio
| | - Lauren F Goodman
- 2 Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Palliative Medicine, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University , Columbus, Ohio
| | - Amanda Lorenz
- 2 Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Palliative Medicine, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University , Columbus, Ohio
| | - Sharla M Wells-Di Gregorio
- 1 Department of Psychiatry, Division of Palliative Medicine, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University , Columbus, Ohio.,2 Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Palliative Medicine, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University , Columbus, Ohio
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24
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Abstract
RATIONALE The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education requires physicians training in pulmonary and critical care medicine to demonstrate competency in interpersonal communication. Studies have shown that residency training is often insufficient to prepare physicians to provide end-of-life care and facilitate patient and family decision-making. Poor communication in the intensive care unit (ICU) can adversely affect outcomes for critically ill patients and their family members. Despite this, communication training curricula in pulmonary and critical care medicine are largely absent in the published literature. OBJECTIVES We evaluated the effectiveness of a communication skills curriculum during the first year of a pulmonary and critical care medicine fellowship using a family meeting checklist to provide formative feedback to fellows during ICU rotations. We hypothesized that fellows would demonstrate increased competence and confidence in the behavioral skills necessary for facilitating family meetings. METHODS We evaluated a 12-month communication skills curriculum using a pre-post, quasiexperimental design. Subjects for this study included 11 first-year fellows who participated in the new curriculum (intervention group) and a historical control group of five fellows who had completed no formal communication curriculum. Performance of communication skills and self-confidence in family meetings were assessed for the intervention group before and after the curriculum. The control group was assessed once at the beginning of their second year of fellowship. RESULTS Fellows in the intervention group demonstrated significantly improved communication skills as evaluated by two psychologists using the Family Meeting Behavioral Skills Checklist, with an increase in total observed skills from 51 to 65% (P ≤ 0.01; Cohen's D effect size [es], 1.13). Their performance was also rated significantly higher when compared with the historical control group, who demonstrated only 49% of observed skills (P ≤ 0.01; es, 1.55). Fellows in the intervention group also showed significantly improved self-confidence scores upon completion of the curriculum, with an increase from 77 to 89% (P ≤ 0.01; es, 0.87) upon completion of the curriculum CONCLUSIONS A structured curriculum that includes abundant opportunities for fellows to practice and receive feedback using a behavioral checklist during their ICU rotations helps to develop physicians with advanced communication skills.
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25
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Dennis BM, Nolan TL, Brown CE, Vogel RL, Flowers KA, Ashley DW, Nakayama DK. Using a Checklist to Improve Family Communication in Trauma Care. Am Surg 2016. [DOI: 10.1177/000313481608200125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Modern concepts of patient-centered care emphasize effective communication with patients and families, an essential requirement in acute trauma settings. We hypothesized that using a checklist to guide the initial family conversation would improve the family's perception of the interaction. Institutional Review Board–approved, prospective pre/post study involving families of trauma patients admitted to our Level I trauma center for >24 hours. In the control group, families received information according to existing practices. In the study group, residents gave patient information to a first-degree family member using a checklist that guided the interaction. The checklist included a physician introduction, patient condition, list of known injuries, admission unit or intensive care unit, any consultants involved, plans for additional studies or operations, and opportunity for family to ask questions. An 11-item survey was administered 24 to 48 hours after admission to each group that evaluated the trauma team's communication in the areas of physician introduction, patient condition, ongoing treatment, and family perception of the interaction. Responses were on a Likert scale and analyzed using the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test. There were 130 patients in each group. The study group had significantly ( P < 0.05) better responses in 8 of 11 items surveyed: physician spoke to family, physician introduction, understanding of their relative's injuries, admitting unit, consultants involved, urgent surgical procedures required, ongoing diagnostic studies, and understanding of the treatment plan. In conclusion, using a checklist improves the perception of the initial communication between the trauma team and family members of trauma patients, especially their understanding of the treatment plan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley M. Dennis
- Division of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Tracy L. Nolan
- Department of Surgery, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, Georgia
| | - Cecil E. Brown
- Department of Surgery, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, Georgia
| | - Robert L. Vogel
- Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia
| | - Kristin A. Flowers
- Department of Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska; and
| | - Dennis W. Ashley
- Department of Surgery, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, Georgia
| | - Don K. Nakayama
- Department of Surgery, West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, West Virginia
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Questionnaires on Family Satisfaction in the Adult ICU: A Systematic Review Including Psychometric Properties. Crit Care Med 2015; 43:1731-44. [PMID: 25821917 DOI: 10.1097/ccm.0000000000000980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To perform a systematic review of the literature to determine which questionnaires are currently available to measure family satisfaction with care on the ICU and to provide an overview of their quality by evaluating their psychometric properties. DATA SOURCES We searched PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and CINAHL from inception to October 30, 2013. STUDY SELECTION Experimental and observational research articles reporting on questionnaires on family satisfaction and/or needs in the ICU were included. Two reviewers determined eligibility. DATA EXTRACTION Design, application mode, language, and the number of studies of the tools were registered. With this information, the tools were globally categorized according to validity and reliability: level I (well-established quality), II (approaching well-established quality), III (promising quality), or IV (unconfirmed quality). The quality of the highest level (I) tools was assessed by further examination of the psychometric properties and sample size of the studies. DATA SYNTHESIS The search detected 3,655 references, from which 135 articles were included. We found 27 different tools that assessed overall or circumscribed aspects of family satisfaction with ICU care. Only four questionnaires were categorized as level I: the Critical Care Family Needs Inventory, the Society of Critical Care Medicine Family Needs Assessment, the Critical Care Family Satisfaction Survey, and the Family Satisfaction in the Intensive Care Unit. Studies on these questionnaires were of good sample size (n ≥ 100) and showed adequate data on face/content validity and internal consistency. Studies on the Critical Care Family Needs Inventory, the Family Satisfaction in the Intensive Care Unit also contained sufficient data on inter-rater/test-retest reliability, responsiveness, and feasibility. In general, data on measures of central tendency and sensitivity to change were scarce. CONCLUSIONS Of all the questionnaires found, the Critical Care Family Needs Inventory and the Family Satisfaction in the Intensive Care Unit were the most reliable and valid in relation to their psychometric properties. However, a universal "best questionnaire" is indefinable because it depends on the specific goal, context, and population used in the inquiry.
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Sullivan DR, Slatore CG. Advance Care Planning. Does It Benefit Surrogate Decision Makers in the Intensive Care Unit? Ann Am Thorac Soc 2015; 12:1432-3. [PMID: 26448348 PMCID: PMC4627427 DOI: 10.1513/annalsats.201508-488ed] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2015] [Accepted: 08/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Donald R. Sullivan
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon; and
- Health Services Research and Development, and
| | - Christopher G. Slatore
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon; and
- Health Services Research and Development, and
- Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon
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Coombs M. A scoping review of family experience and need during end of life care in intensive care. Nurs Open 2015; 2:24-35. [PMID: 27708798 PMCID: PMC5047309 DOI: 10.1002/nop2.14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2014] [Accepted: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To scope systematically and collate qualitative studies on family experience and need during end of life care in intensive care, from the perspective of family members. DESIGN Scoping review of qualitative research. METHODS Standardized processes of study identification, data extraction and data synthesis were used. Multiple bibliographic databases were accessed during 2011 and updated in 2013. RESULTS From an initial 876 references, 16 studies were identified for inclusion. These were predominantly single site, North American studies that explored issues relating to the temporal stages in the end of life trajectory and the requirement for information and emotional support at end of life. With a strong focus on family need and experience during the transition from active treatment to end of life care, more work is required to understand how doctors and nurses can support families from treatment withdrawal through to death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maureen Coombs
- Graduate School of Nursing Midwifery and Health Victoria University Wellington Wellington 6242 New Zealand; Capital and Coast District Health Board Wellington Regional Hospital Wellington 6242 New Zealand
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van der Geest IMM, van den Heuvel-Eibrink MM, Falkenburg N, Michiels EMC, van Vliet L, Pieters R, Darlington ASE. Parents' Faith and Hope during the Pediatric Palliative Phase and the Association with Long-Term Parental Adjustment. J Palliat Med 2015; 18:402-7. [PMID: 25679453 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2014.0287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The loss of a child is associated with an increased risk for developing psychological problems. However, studies investigating the impact of parents' faith and hope for a cure during the palliative phase on long-term parental psychological functioning are limited. OBJECTIVE The study's objective was to explore the role of faith and hope as a source of coping and indicator of long-term parental adjustment. METHODS Eighty-nine parents of 57 children who died of cancer completed questionnaires retrospectively, exploring faith, hope, and sources of coping, and measuring parents' current level of grief and depression. RESULTS For 19 parents (21%) faith was very important during the palliative phase. The majority of parents remained hopeful for a meaningful time with their child (n=68, 76%); a pain-free death (n=58, 65%); and a cure (n=30, 34%). Their child (n=70, 79%) was parents' main source of coping. Twelve parents (14%) suffered from traumatic grief, and 22 parents (25%) showed symptoms of depression. Parents' faith was not associated with less long-term traumatic grief (OR=0.86, p=0.51) or symptoms of depression (OR=0.95, p=0.74), and parents' hope for a cure was not related to more long-term traumatic grief (OR=1.07, p=0.71) or symptoms of depression (OR=1.12, p=0.47). CONCLUSIONS Faith was important for a minority of parents and was not associated with less long-term traumatic grief or symptoms of depression. The majority of parents remained hopeful. Hope for a cure was not associated with more long-term traumatic grief or symptoms of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana M M van der Geest
- 1 Department of Paediatric Oncology/Haematology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital , Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Abstract
The privileging of the substituted judgment standard as the gold standard for surrogate decision making in law and bioethics has constrained the research agenda in end-of-life decision making. The empirical literature is inundated with a plethora of "Newlywed Game" designs, in which potential patients and potential surrogates respond to hypothetical scenarios to see how often they "get it right." The preoccupation with determining the capacity of surrogates to accurately reproduce the judgments of another makes a number of assumptions that blind scholars to the variables central to understanding how surrogates actually make medical decisions on behalf of another. These assumptions include that patient preferences are knowable, surrogates have adequate and accurate information, time stands still, patients get the surrogates they want, patients want and surrogates utilize substituted judgment criteria, and surrogates are disinterested. This article examines these assumptions and considers the challenges of designing research that makes them problematic.
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Contrasting patient, family, provider, and societal goals at the end of life complicate decision making and induce variability of care after trauma. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2014; 77:262-7. [PMID: 25058252 DOI: 10.1097/ta.0000000000000304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND End-of-life (EoL) decision making during critical illness and injury is important in facilitating compassionate care that is congruent with patient, family, and societal expectations. Herein, we evaluate factors that may effect and induce variability in practitioner EoL decision making, particularly years in practice, use of advance directives (ADs), and cost. METHODS An anonymous, online survey was offered to all active members of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (n = 1,359) in June 2012. Demographic information and a series of questions dealing with common potentially influential factors were included. Responses were 5-point Likert scale based. RESULTS A total of 375 responses (27.6%) were received. Ninety-two percent of the respondents were physicians, 70% were male, and 77% were from Level 1 trauma centers. Of respondents, 65.8% rely on family to make EoL decisions most or all of the time, while 80.7% feel family members are rarely or only sometimes in appropriate emotional states to make such choices. A significant number of practitioners felt comfortable making decisions without family input at all, more so with experienced practitioners as compared with those in practice for less than 15 years (38.2% and 24.1% respectively, p < 0.01).Of the practitioners, 59.6% rely on ADs most or all of the time, only 61.1% agree or strongly agree that ADs are useful, and only 56.3% feel families follow their loved one's ADs most or all of the time. A patient's family support or ability to pay for aftercare was rarely or never considered important by 80.1% of the practitioners, despite 85.1% reporting that quality of life postillness/injury was important most or all of the time. CONCLUSION Practitioner comfort and motivation to influence EoL decision making varies with experience level. ADs are not uniformly perceived to be helpful, and costs are uncommonly considered. To improve EoL quality, these factors need to be considered. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Care management study, level IV.
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Tucker-Seeley RD, Abel GA, Uno H, Prigerson H. Financial hardship and the intensity of medical care received near death. Psychooncology 2014; 24:572-8. [PMID: 25052138 DOI: 10.1002/pon.3624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2014] [Revised: 06/26/2014] [Accepted: 06/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although end-of-life (EOL) care can present a substantial financial burden for the household, the influence of this burden on the intensity of care received at the EOL remains unknown. The goal of this study was to determine the association between financial hardship and intensive care in the last week of life. METHODS The Coping with Cancer (CwC) Study is a longitudinal, multisite cohort study of terminally ill cancer patients and their informal caregivers, September 2002-February 2008. Patients (N = 281) were followed from baseline to death, a median of 4.4 months after baseline assessment. Intensive care was defined as the use of resuscitation and/or ventilation in the patient's last week of life. Financial hardship was measured at study baseline as a positive response to whether the household had to use all or most of their savings because of the family member's illness. RESULTS Twenty-nine percent reported financial hardship, and 9% received intensive EOL care. Patients reporting financial hardship had a 3.22 (95% CI: 1.38, 7.53) higher likelihood of receiving intensive EOL care compared with patients not reporting financial hardship. After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and patient preferences, patients reporting financial hardship had a 3.05 (95% CI: 1.22, 7.62) higher likelihood of receiving intensive EOL care. CONCLUSION The depletion of a family's financial resources is a significant predictor of intensive EOL care, over and above the influence of sociodemographic characteristics and patient preferences.
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Riggs JS, Woodby LL, Burgio KL, Bailey FA, Williams BR. "Don't get weak in your compassion": bereaved next of kin's suggestions for improving end-of-life care in Veterans Affairs Medical Centers. J Am Geriatr Soc 2014; 62:642-8. [PMID: 24655157 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.12764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To analyze bereaved next of kin's suggestions for improving end-of-life (EOL) care in Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers (VAMCs). DESIGN Qualitative. SETTING This study was part of a larger study testing the effectiveness of a multimodal intervention strategy to improve processes of EOL care in six southeast U.S. VAMCs (Best Practices for End-of-Life Care for Our Nation's Veterans-BEACON Trial). PARTICIPANTS Bereaved next of kin (n = 78) of veterans who died between 2005 and 2010. MEASUREMENTS Data addressing praise, criticism, and recommendations for enhancing EOL care were abstracted from semistructured interviews of next of kin and aggregated into a code labeled "Suggestions." Content analysis proceeded iteratively through data review, comparison, and negotiation of emergent themes and integration of all coauthors' insights and interpretations into the evolving interpretive scheme. RESULTS Next of kin provided examples that resonated with their conceptions of quality EOL care. They also described distressing situations and perceptions of deficits in care. Major themes derived were compassionate care, good communication, support for family visits and privacy, and the need for death preparation and postdeath guidance. The fifth theme, unique to this study, was the salience of the relationship between the veterans and their families and the VA and the expectations this engendered in terms of dignity and honor. CONCLUSION Interventions that support staff's ability to convey compassion, communicate information to families and other staff, listen to patients and families, prepare families for the individual's death, and provide consistent, coordinated information regarding after-death activities may optimize EOL hospital care for veterans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer S Riggs
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Birmingham/Atlanta Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Birmingham, Alabama; University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing, Birmingham, Alabama
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Adams JA, Anderson RA, Docherty SL, Tulsky JA, Steinhauser KE, Bailey DE. Nursing strategies to support family members of ICU patients at high risk of dying. Heart Lung 2014; 43:406-15. [PMID: 24655938 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2014.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2013] [Revised: 01/24/2014] [Accepted: 02/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore how family members of ICU patients at high risk of dying respond to nursing communication strategies. BACKGROUND Family members of ICU patients may face difficult decisions. Nurses are in a position to provide support. Evidence of specific strategies that nurses use to support decision-making and how family members respond to these strategies is lacking. METHODS This is a prospective, qualitative descriptive study involving the family members of ICU patients identified as being at high risk of dying. RESULTS Family members described five nursing approaches: Demonstrating concern, building rapport, demonstrating professionalism, providing factual information, and supporting decision-making. This study provides evidence that when using these approaches, nurses helped family members to cope; to have hope, confidence, and trust; to prepare for and accept impending death; and to make decisions. CONCLUSION Knowledge lays a foundation for interventions targeting the areas important to family members and most likely to improve their ability to make decisions and their well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith A Adams
- Durham VAMC, 508 Fulton Street, Durham, NC 27705, USA; Duke University School of Nursing, 307 Trent Drive, DUMC 3322, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
| | - Ruth A Anderson
- Duke University School of Nursing, 307 Trent Drive, DUMC 3322, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Sharron L Docherty
- Duke University School of Nursing, 307 Trent Drive, DUMC 3322, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - James A Tulsky
- Duke Medicine and Nursing, Duke Palliative Care, DUMC 2706, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | | | - Donald E Bailey
- Duke University School of Nursing, 307 Trent Drive, DUMC 3322, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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Higginson IJ, Koffman J, Hopkins P, Prentice W, Burman R, Leonard S, Rumble C, Noble J, Dampier O, Bernal W, Hall S, Morgan M, Shipman C. Development and evaluation of the feasibility and effects on staff, patients, and families of a new tool, the Psychosocial Assessment and Communication Evaluation (PACE), to improve communication and palliative care in intensive care and during clinical uncertainty. BMC Med 2013; 11:213. [PMID: 24083470 PMCID: PMC3850793 DOI: 10.1186/1741-7015-11-213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2013] [Accepted: 08/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are widespread concerns about communication and support for patients and families, especially when they face clinical uncertainty, a situation most marked in intensive care units (ICUs). Therefore, we aimed to develop and evaluate an interventional tool to improve communication and palliative care, using the ICU as an example of where this is difficult. METHODS Our design was a phase I-II study following the Medical Research Council Guidance for the Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions and the (Methods of Researching End-of-life Care (MORECare) statement. In two ICUs, with over 1900 admissions annually, phase I modeled a new intervention comprising implementation training and an assessment tool. We conducted a literature review, qualitative interviews, and focus groups with 40 staff and 13 family members. This resulted in the new tool, the Psychosocial Assessment and Communication Evaluation (PACE). Phase II evaluated the feasibility and effects of PACE, using observation, record audit, and surveys of staff and family members. Qualitative data were analyzed using the framework approach. The statistical tests used on quantitative data were t-tests (for normally distributed characteristics), the χ2 or Fisher's exact test (for non-normally distributed characteristics) and the Mann-Whitney U-test (for experience assessments) to compare the characteristics and experience for cases with and without PACE recorded. RESULTS PACE provides individualized assessments of all patients entering the ICU. It is completed within 24 to 48 hours of admission, and covers five aspects (key relationships, social details and needs, patient preferences, communication and information status, and other concerns), followed by recording of an ongoing communication evaluation. Implementation is supported by a training program with specialist palliative care. A post-implementation survey of 95 ICU staff found that 89% rated PACE assessment as very or generally useful. Of 213 family members, 165 (78%) responded to their survey, and two-thirds had PACE completed. Those for whom PACE was completed reported significantly higher satisfaction with symptom control, and the honesty and consistency of information from staff (Mann-Whitney U-test ranged from 616 to 1247, P-values ranged from 0.041 to 0.010) compared with those who did not. CONCLUSIONS PACE is a feasible interventional tool that has the potential to improve communication, information consistency, and family perceptions of symptom control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene J Higginson
- Department of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, Cicely Saunders Institute, King's College London, School of Medicine, Bessemer Road, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9PJ, UK.
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Adams JA, Bailey DE, Anderson RA, Thygeson M. Finding your way through EOL challenges in the ICU using Adaptive Leadership behaviours: A qualitative descriptive case study. Intensive Crit Care Nurs 2013; 29:329-36. [PMID: 23879936 DOI: 10.1016/j.iccn.2013.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2012] [Revised: 05/28/2013] [Accepted: 05/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Using the Adaptive Leadership framework, we describe behaviours that providers used while interacting with family members facing the challenges of recognising that their loved one was dying in the ICU. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY In this prospective pilot case study, we selected one ICU patient with end-stage illness who lacked decision-making capacity. Participants included four family members, one nurse and two physicians. The principle investigator observed and recorded three family conferences and conducted one in-depth interview with the family. Three members of the research team independently coded the transcripts using a priori codes to describe the Adaptive Leadership behaviours that providers used to facilitate the family's adaptive work, met to compare and discuss the codes and resolved all discrepancies. FINDINGS We identified behaviours used by nurses and physicians that facilitated the family's ability to adapt to the impending death of a loved one. Examples of these behaviours include defining the adaptive challenges for families and foreshadowing a poor prognosis. CONCLUSIONS Nurse and physician Adaptive Leadership behaviours can facilitate the transition from curative to palliative care by helping family members do the adaptive work of letting go. Further research is warranted to create knowledge for providers to help family members adapt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith A Adams
- Duke University School of Nursing (DUSON), Durham, NC, United States.
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Decision making for seriously compromised newborns: the importance of exploring cultural differences and unintended consequences. J Perinatol 2013; 33:505-8. [PMID: 23803675 DOI: 10.1038/jp.2012.152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Lima FDA, Amazonas MCLDA, Barreto CLBT, Menezes WND. Sons and daughters with a parent hospitalized in an Intensive Care Unit. ESTUDOS DE PSICOLOGIA (CAMPINAS) 2013. [DOI: 10.1590/s0103-166x2013000200006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study, in the area of Hospital Psychology, was to comprehend the experience of sons and daughters whose mother or father was hospitalized in an Intensive Care Unit. Participants were 10 sons and daughters who responded to a socio-demographic questionnaire and a semi-structured interview, which were submitted to Content Analysis. The following were verified in the interviews: feelings of suffering and fear; concerns regarding the fact that the patient spends most of the time alone; lack of trust regarding the treatment offered by the healthcare team for the patient; lack of motivation to continue day by day routines; positive reappraisal such as personal, spiritual and professional growth, and satisfaction with the hospital team's care to the family. This data highlights the needs of these sons and daughters during their parent's hospitalization in an Intensive Care Unit and may support more effective care from the healthcare team for this population.
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Yuen JK, Mehta SS, Roberts JE, Cooke JT, Reid MC. A brief educational intervention to teach residents shared decision making in the intensive care unit. J Palliat Med 2013; 16:531-6. [PMID: 23621707 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2012.0356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Effective communication is essential for shared decision making with families of critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), yet there is limited evidence on effective strategies to teach these skills. OBJECTIVE The study's objective was to pilot test an educational intervention to teach internal medicine interns skills in discussing goals of care and treatment decisions with families of critically ill patients using the shared decision making framework. DESIGN The intervention consisted of a PowerPoint online module followed by a four-hour workshop implemented at a retreat for medicine interns training at an urban, academic medical center. MEASUREMENTS Participants (N=33) completed post-intervention questionnaires that included self-assessed skills learned, an open-ended question on the most important learning points from the workshop, and retrospective pre- and post-workshop comfort level with ICU communication skills. Participants rated their satisfaction with the workshop. RESULTS Twenty-nine interns (88%) completed the questionnaires. Important self-assessed communication skills learned reflect key components of shared decision making, which include assessing the family's understanding of the patient's condition (endorsed by 100%) and obtaining an understanding of the patient/family's perspectives, values, and goals (100%). Interns reported significant improvement in their comfort level with ICU communication skills (pre 3.26, post 3.73 on a five-point scale, p=0.004). Overall satisfaction with the intervention was high (mean 4.45 on a five-point scale). CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that a brief intervention designed to teach residents communication skills in conducting goals of care and treatment discussions in the ICU is feasible and can improve their comfort level with these conversations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline K Yuen
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10029, USA.
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Pattison N, Carr SM, Turnock C, Dolan S. 'Viewing in slow motion': patients', families', nurses' and doctors' perspectives on end-of-life care in critical care. J Clin Nurs 2013; 22:1442-54. [PMID: 23506296 DOI: 10.1111/jocn.12095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To explore the meaning of end-of-life care for critically ill cancer patients, families, oncologists, palliative care specialists, critical care consultants and nurses. BACKGROUND End-of-life care for critically ill patients, of whom nearly 20% will die in critical care, remains somewhat problematic (Truog et al. 2008). End-of-life care is an established domain in cancer; however, research has not been conducted previously into dying, critically ill cancer patients' experiences. DESIGN Qualitative, phenomenological in-depth interviews were undertaken. METHODS Phenomenology was used to explore experiences of 27 participants: surviving patients at high risk of dying, bereaved families, oncologists, palliative and critical care consultants, and nurses. Purposive sampling from a UK critical care unit was carried out. In-depth interviews were taped analysed using Van Manen's phenomenological analysis framework. RESULTS A phenomenological interpretation of dying in cancer critical illness, and the impact on opportunities for end-of-life care, is presented. Three main themes included: dual prognostication; the meaning of decision-making; and care practices at end of life: choreographing a good death. End-of-life care was an emotive experience for all participants; core tenets for good end-of-life care included comfort, less visible technology, privacy and dignity. These findings are discussed in relation to end-of-life care, cancer and critical illness. CONCLUSION The speed of progressing towards dying in critical illness is often unknown and subsequently affects potential for end-of-life care. Caring was not unique to nurses and end-of-life care in critical care came with considerable emotional cost. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE There is an opportunity for nurses to use the care of patients dying in critical care to develop specialist knowledge and lead in care, but it requires mastery and reconciliation of both technology and end-of-life care. Healthcare professionals can help facilitate acceptance for families and patients, particularly regarding involvement in decisions and ensuring patient advocacy.
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Tan A, Manca D. Finding common ground to achieve a "good death": family physicians working with substitute decision-makers of dying patients. A qualitative grounded theory study. BMC FAMILY PRACTICE 2013; 14:14. [PMID: 23339822 PMCID: PMC3556163 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2296-14-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2012] [Accepted: 01/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Substitute decision-makers are integral to the care of dying patients and make many healthcare decisions for patients. Unfortunately, conflict between physicians and surrogate decision-makers is not uncommon in end-of-life care and this could contribute to a "bad death" experience for the patient and family. We aim to describe Canadian family physicians' experiences of conflict with substitute decision-makers of dying patients to identify factors that may facilitate or hinder the end-of-life decision-making process. This insight will help determine how to best manage these complex situations, ultimately improving the overall care of dying patients. METHODS Grounded Theory methodology was used with semi-structured interviews of family physicians in Edmonton, Canada, who experienced conflict with substitute decision-makers of dying patients. Purposeful sampling included maximum variation and theoretical sampling strategies. Interviews were audio-taped, and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts, field notes and memos were coded using the constant-comparative method to identify key concepts until saturation was achieved and a theoretical framework emerged. RESULTS Eleven family physicians with a range of 3 to 40 years in clinical practice participated.The family physicians expressed a desire to achieve a "good death" and described their role in positively influencing the experience of death.Finding Common Ground to Achieve a "Good Death" for the Patient emerged as an important process which includes 1) Building Mutual Trust and Rapport through identifying key players and delivering manageable amounts of information, 2) Understanding One Another through active listening and ultimately, and 3) Making Informed, Shared Decisions. Facilitators and barriers to achieving Common Ground were identified. Barriers were linked to conflict. The inability to resolve an overt conflict may lead to an impasse at any point. A process for Resolving an Impasse is described. CONCLUSIONS A novel framework for developing Common Ground to manage conflicts during end-of-life decision-making discussions may assist in achieving a "good death". These results could aid in educating physicians, learners, and the public on how to achieve productive collaborative relationships during end-of-life decision-making for dying patients, and ultimately improve their deaths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Tan
- Department of Family Medicine, 205 College Plaza, University of Alberta, 8215-112 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2C8, Canada
| | - Donna Manca
- Department of Family Medicine, 901 College Plaza, University of Alberta, 8215-112 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2C8, Canada
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Larkin ME, Beauharnais CC, Magyar K, Macey L, Grennan KB, Boykin EE, Russell SJ. Obtaining surrogate consent for a minimal-risk research study in the intensive care unit setting. Clin Trials 2012; 10:93-6. [DOI: 10.1177/1740774512464727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background Obtaining surrogate consent for clinical research studies conducted in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting is logistically challenging. Purpose To determine whether differences in proportions consenting to trial enrollment existed among patients eligible to consent directly versus those requiring surrogate decision makers in a minimal-risk study to evaluate the accuracy of continuous glucose monitoring in the ICU setting. Methods Low initial enrollment rates prompted a detailed tracking of the screening and consent process. We analyzed the subset of eligible patients identified during a single year to document whether they were approached about trial enrollment, whether they consented or declined, the reasons for declining, and the method of consent (self or surrogate). The proportion of participants who consented and the reasons for declining were compared for self-consenting and surrogate-consenting participants. Results Of the 3041 patients screened, one-third (n = 982) were eligible; 119 of the 982 were approached regarding enrollment. Absence of a surrogate accounted for the majority of eligible patients (726; 84%) not approached. The most common reasons for refusal in the self versus surrogate groups included feeling overwhelmed (13% vs 24%), fear of discomfort (22% vs 12%), and fear of risk (7% vs 4%). Of the 57 eligible patients capable of consenting directly, 11 (19%) enrolled versus 12 (19%) of the 62 who required surrogate consent. When recruitment hours were expanded to include evening time, more eligible patients or their surrogates could be approached than during the day-shift hours alone. Consent was obtained for a larger proportion of potential participants with a history of diabetes (40%) than for those without a history of diabetes (14%). Limitations The findings are from a subset of the entire study sample; data were available only for participants who could be approached, who may have differed from those who could not be approached. Conclusions Surrogate and self-consent rates were similar. Surrogate unavailability was a major barrier to enrollment; overlap of staffing with usual visiting hours should be considered when planning trials in the ICU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary E Larkin
- Diabetes Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Kendra Magyar
- Diabetes Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Laurel Macey
- Diabetes Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kerry B Grennan
- Diabetes Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Emily E Boykin
- Diabetes Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Steven J Russell
- Diabetes Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard H. Savel
- Richard H. Savel is coeditor in chief of the American Journal of Critical Care. He is the medical codirector of the surgical intensive care unit at Montefiore Medical Center and an associate professor of clinical medicine and neurology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, both in New York City. Cindy L. Munro is coeditor in chief of the American Journal of Critical Care. She is associate dean for research and innovation at the University of South Florida, College of Nursing, Tampa, Florida
| | - Cindy L. Munro
- Richard H. Savel is coeditor in chief of the American Journal of Critical Care. He is the medical codirector of the surgical intensive care unit at Montefiore Medical Center and an associate professor of clinical medicine and neurology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, both in New York City. Cindy L. Munro is coeditor in chief of the American Journal of Critical Care. She is associate dean for research and innovation at the University of South Florida, College of Nursing, Tampa, Florida
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Abstract
A qualitative study using phenomenological descriptive design was conducted to explore critical care nurses' experiences with patient death. Several themes emerged as a result of this study: coping, personal distress, emotional disconnect, and inevitable death. Understanding critical care nurses' reactions to patient death may help to improve the care provided to critically ill dying patients and their families and to meet the needs of the nurses who care for them.
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Abstract
UNLABELLED Although acting as a surrogate decision maker can be highly distressing for some family members of intensive care unit patients, little is known about whether there are modifiable risk factors for the occurrence of such difficulties. OBJECTIVES To identify: 1) factors associated with lower levels of confidence among family members to function as surrogates and 2) whether the quality of clinician-family communication is associated with the timing of decisions to forego life support. METHODS We conducted a prospective study of 230 surrogate decision makers for incapacitated, mechanically ventilated patients at high risk of death in four intensive care units at University of California San Francisco Medical Center from 2006 to 2007. Surrogates completed a questionnaire addressing their perceived ability to act as a surrogate and the quality of their communication with physicians. We used clustered multivariate logistic regression to identify predictors of low levels of perceived ability to act as a surrogate and a Cox proportional hazard model to determine whether quality of communication was associated with the timing of decisions to withdraw life support. RESULTS There was substantial variability in family members' confidence to act as surrogate decision makers, with 27% rating their perceived ability as 7 or lower on a 10-point scale. Independent predictors of lower role confidence were the lack of prior experience as a surrogate (odds ratio 2.2, 95% confidence interval [1.04-4.46], p=.04), no prior discussions with the patient about treatment preferences (odds ratio 3.7, 95% confidence interval [1.79-7.76], p<.001), and poor quality of communication with the ICU physician (odds ratio 1.2, 95% confidence interval [1.09-1.35] p<.001). Higher quality physician-family communication was associated with a significantly shorter duration of life-sustaining treatment among patients who died (β=0.11, p=.001). CONCLUSIONS Family members without prior experience as a surrogate and those who had not engaged in advanced discussions with the patient about treatment preferences were at higher risk to report less confidence in carrying out the surrogate role. Better-quality clinician-family communication was associated with both more confidence among family members to act as surrogates and a shorter duration of use of life support among patients who died.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Cox
- Consultant in Palliative Medicine, Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust, London
| | - Jonathan M Handy
- Consultant, Intensive Care Unit, Honorary Senior Lecturer, Imperial College, Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust, London
| | - Andrea Blay
- Nurse Consultant for Critical Care, Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust, London
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Coventry A, McInnes E, Rosenberg J. End-of-life care in the intensive care unit: a systematic review of qualitative studies investigating the experiences and perceptions of the patient's family. JBI LIBRARY OF SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS 2012; 10:1-12. [PMID: 27820147 DOI: 10.11124/jbisrir-2012-177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alysia Coventry
- 1. Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia.Affiliated with the Joanna Briggs Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, the University of Adelaide, SA 5005 2. Deputy Director, Nursing Research Institute, St Vincent's & Mater Health Sydney Australian Catholic University, School of Nursing, North Sydney, Australia National Centre for Clinical Outcomes Research (NaCCOR) 3. Director, Calvary Centre for Palliative Care Research. Senior Research Fellow, Australian Catholic University, Canberra, Australia Research Associate, National Centre for Clinical Outcomes Research, Australian Catholic University
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Billings JA. The end-of-life family meeting in intensive care part I: Indications, outcomes, and family needs. J Palliat Med 2011; 14:1042-50. [PMID: 21830914 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2011.0038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
This is a three-part article that reviews the literature on end-of-life family meetings in intensive care, focused on situations when the patient cannot participate. Family meetings in end-of-life care, especially when conducted prophylactically or proactively, have been shown to be effective procedures for improving family and staff satisfaction and even reducing resource utilization. The first part of the article outlines the family needs that should be addressed in such meetings, including clinician availability, consistent information sharing (especially of prognosis), empathic communication and support, facilitation of bereavement, and trust. The second part addresses family-centered, shared decision making and sources of conflict, as well as related communication and negotiation skills and how to end the meeting. Families and clinicians differ in 1) their understanding of the patient's condition and prognosis; 2) the emotional impact of the illness, particularly the personal meaning of pursuing recovery or limiting supports; and 3) their views of how to make decisions about life-prolonging treatments. The final part draws on the previous two sections to present a structured format and guide for communication skills in conflictual meetings. Ten steps for a humane and effective meeting are suggested, illustrated with sample conversations.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Andrew Billings
- Harvard Medical School Center for Palliative Care, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Johnson SK, Bautista CA, Hong SY, Weissfeld L, White DB. An empirical study of surrogates' preferred level of control over value-laden life support decisions in intensive care units. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2010; 183:915-21. [PMID: 21037019 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201008-1214oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Despite ongoing ethical debate concerning who should control decisions to discontinue life support for incapacitated, critically ill patients, the perspectives of surrogate decision makers are poorly understood. OBJECTIVES To determine (1) what degree of decisional authority surrogates prefer for value-sensitive life support decisions compared with more technical biomedical decisions, and (2) what predicts surrogates' preferences for more control over life support decisions. METHODS This was a prospective study of 230 surrogate decision makers for incapacitated, mechanically ventilated patients at high risk of death. Surrogates reported their preferred degree of decisional authority using the Degner Control Preferences Scale for two types of decisions: a value-sensitive decision about whether to discontinue life support and a decision regarding which antibiotic to prescribe for an infection. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS The majority of surrogates (55%, 127/230; 95% confidence interval, 49-62%) preferred to have final control over the value-sensitive life support decision; 40% (91/230) wished to share control equally with the physician; 5% (12/230) of surrogates wanted the physician to make the decision. Surrogates preferred significantly more control over the value-sensitive life support decision compared with the technical decision about choice of antibiotics (P < 0.0001). Factors independently associated with surrogates' preference for more control over the life support decision were: less trust in the intensive care unit physician, male sex, and non-Catholic religious affiliation. CONCLUSIONS Surrogates vary in their desire for decisional authority for value-sensitive life support decisions, but prefer substantially more authority for this type of decision compared with technical, medical judgments. Low trust in physicians is associated with surrogates preferring more control of life support decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara K Johnson
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Martin B, Koesel N. Nurses' role in clarifying goals in the intensive care unit. Crit Care Nurse 2010; 30:64-73. [PMID: 20515884 DOI: 10.4037/ccn2010511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Beth Martin
- Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region, E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC 28204, USA.
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