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Justin P, Dorard G, Leu A, Untas A. Young carers supporting a relative with cancer: What is the healthcare professionals' knowledge in France? An exploratory study. Eur J Oncol Nurs 2024; 70:102567. [PMID: 38531294 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2024.102567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Many children and adolescents support relatives with cancer. However, literature about young carers (YCs) shows a lack of awareness among professionals, especially in oncology. This quantitative study aims to explore the level of knowledge and perceptions of healthcare professionals working with cancer patients about the situations and characteristics of YCs. METHODS 395 professionals participated in an online survey. Professionals reported sociodemographic and professional information and answered several questions evaluating their perceptions about YCs, such as the types of support provided and the consequences of being a YC. Descriptive analysis and group comparisons (Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis tests) by sex, occupation, and patients treated (adult and/or pediatric) are performed on the data collected. RESULTS Overall, per the literature on YCs, professionals provide an adequate description of what a YC can be, even though one in two professionals have never heard the term. Several differences are observed: Men mention fewer types of support that YCs can provide, while women report more negative consequences of being a YC; psychologists and social workers report fewer positive impacts for these young people than the other professionals; professionals who work with pediatric patients mention fewer negative consequences than those who work with adults. CONCLUSION Oncology healthcare professionals have sufficient awareness of YCs; however, several professionals struggle to fully understand the situation of YCs. These findings underline the need for awareness programs in oncology to improve health professionals' understanding of YCs and enhance their identification and support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Justin
- Université Paris Cité, Laboratoire de Psychopathologie et Processus de Santé, F-92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, France; Univ. Lille, CNRS, UMR 9193 - SCALab - Sciences Cognitives et Sciences Affectives, F-59000 Lille, France.
| | - Géraldine Dorard
- Université Paris Cité, Laboratoire de Psychopathologie et Processus de Santé, F-92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | - Agnes Leu
- University of Basel, Medical Faculty, Institute for Biomedical Ethics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Aurélie Untas
- Université Paris Cité, Laboratoire de Psychopathologie et Processus de Santé, F-92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, France
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2
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Schellenberg E, Visscher RMS, Leu A, Guggiari E, Rabhi-Sidler S. Get-togethers: Guided Peer-Support Groups for Young Carers. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:582. [PMID: 38470693 PMCID: PMC10931138 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12050582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
To address Young Carers' (YCs) needs for space and opportunities to reflect and exchange, a guided peer-support programme, the "Get-togethers", was developed in collaboration with YC in Switzerland in 2018. In order to evaluate if the Get-togethers were able to meet their originally set goals of (1) strengthening support among YCs, (2) promoting their life skills, (3) strengthening their social network and (4) promoting the inclusion and participation of YCs, participants of the Get-togethers were asked to complete a short questionnaire about their participation in and experiences with the Get-togethers. We also analysed the standard documentation of 17 Get-togethers held between May 2021 and September 2023. Overall, the Get-togethers were rated positively in almost all areas of the survey and the documentation, indicating that the four originally set objectives of the Get-togethers were (at least largely) achieved. The Get-togethers covered a large part of the needs of YCs, such as emotional support and opportunities to relax and exchange with people in a similar situation, yet they largely failed to reach minor YCs and male YCs. Further support programmes should be developed to address the different needs of different groups of YCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Schellenberg
- Careum School of Health, Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland; (E.S.); (R.M.S.V.); (E.G.)
| | - Rosa M. S. Visscher
- Careum School of Health, Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland; (E.S.); (R.M.S.V.); (E.G.)
| | - Agnes Leu
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, Medical Faculty, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland;
| | - Elena Guggiari
- Careum School of Health, Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland; (E.S.); (R.M.S.V.); (E.G.)
| | - Sarah Rabhi-Sidler
- Careum School of Health, Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland; (E.S.); (R.M.S.V.); (E.G.)
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Brolin R, Hanson E, Magnusson L, Lewis F, Parkhouse T, Hlebec V, Santini S, Hoefman R, Leu A, Becker S. Adolescent Young Carers Who Provide Care to Siblings. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:316. [PMID: 38338201 PMCID: PMC10855446 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12030316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
A child's disability, long-term illness, or mental ill-health is known to affect siblings' health, social life, school engagement, and quality of life. This article addresses a research gap by its focus on young sibling carers and the impact of providing care to a sibling. A cross-national survey study was conducted in 2018-2019 (Italy, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK) to examine the incidence of adolescent sibling carers, the extent of care they provide, and their self-reported health, well-being, and school situation. The survey was completed by 7146 adolescents, aged 15-17, and 1444 of them provided care to family members with health-related conditions. Out of these, 286 were identified as Sibling Carers and 668 as Parent Carers, while 181 had both sibling(s) and parent(s) with health-related conditions, and thus were identified as Sibling-Parent Carers. Sibling Carers and Sibling-Parent Carers carried out higher levels of caring activities compared to Parent Carers. They reported both positive aspects of caring, such as increased maturity, and negative aspects, such as mental ill-health, impact on schooling and a lack of support. To reduce the negative aspects of a sibling carer role, it is important to recognise them and to implement early preventive measures and formal support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosita Brolin
- Department Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, SE-39182 Kalmar, Sweden;
| | - Elizabeth Hanson
- Department Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, SE-39182 Kalmar, Sweden;
- The Swedish Family Care Competence Centre, Region Kalmar, Strömgatan 13, SE-39232 Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Lennart Magnusson
- Department Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, SE-39182 Kalmar, Sweden;
- The Swedish Family Care Competence Centre, Region Kalmar, Strömgatan 13, SE-39232 Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Feylyn Lewis
- School of Nursing 179, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, 461 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37240, USA;
| | - Tom Parkhouse
- School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QQ, UK;
| | - Valentina Hlebec
- Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Sara Santini
- Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Ageing, IRCCS INRCA—National Institute of Health and Science on Ageing, 60124 Ancona, Italy;
| | - Renske Hoefman
- The Netherlands Institute for Social Research (SCP), Postbus 16164, 2500 BD The Hague, The Netherlands;
| | - Agnes Leu
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, Science and Medical Faculty, University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland;
| | - Saul Becker
- Faculty of Health and Education, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M15 6BX, UK;
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4
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Brolin R, Hanson E, Magnusson L, Lewis F, Parkhouse T, Hlebec V, Santini S, Hoefman R, Leu A, Becker S. Adolescent Young Carers Who Provide Help and Support to Friends. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2876. [PMID: 37958020 PMCID: PMC10649303 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11212876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Prior studies emphasize the value of friends' support for children/adolescents who have a disability or suffer from mental ill-health or a long-term illness. However, few studies have explored how a caring role affects those young friend carers themselves. This paper addresses a gap in the research by focusing on this hitherto neglected group of young carers to explore the impact of providing care to friends. An online survey was employed for a cross-national study conducted in 2018-2019 in Sweden, Italy, Slovenia, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom to examine the incidence of adolescent young friend carers, the extent of care they provide, and their self-reported health, well-being, and school situation. The survey was completed by 7146 adolescents, aged 15-17, and 1121 of them provided care to a friend with a health-related condition, most frequently mental ill-health. They carried out high levels of caring activities, and a quarter of them also provided care to a family member. They experienced both positive and negative aspects of caring. Nevertheless, in comparison with adolescents who provided care to family members, they reported more health problems, with a dominance of mental ill-health, and they received lower levels of support. Since adolescent friends play a valuable role for young people with health-related conditions, especially mental ill-health, it is important to find ways of optimizing their caring experiences in order that those adolescents who choose to care for a friend can do so without it having a negative impact on their own mental health, well-being, and life situation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosita Brolin
- Department Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, SE-39182 Kalmar, Sweden;
| | - Elizabeth Hanson
- Department Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, SE-39182 Kalmar, Sweden;
- The Swedish Family Care Competence Centre, Strömgatan 13, SE-39232 Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Lennart Magnusson
- Department Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, SE-39182 Kalmar, Sweden;
- The Swedish Family Care Competence Centre, Strömgatan 13, SE-39232 Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Feylyn Lewis
- School of Nursing 179, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, 461 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37240, USA;
| | - Tom Parkhouse
- School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QQ, UK;
| | - Valentina Hlebec
- Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Sara Santini
- Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Ageing, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Ageing, 60124 Ancona, Italy;
| | - Renske Hoefman
- The Netherlands Institute for Social Research (SCP), Postbus 16164, 2500 BD The Hague, The Netherlands;
| | - Agnes Leu
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, Science and Medical Faculty, University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland;
| | - Saul Becker
- School of Education and Social Work, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QQ, UK;
- Faculty of Health and Education, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M15 6BX, UK
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5
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Barbabella F, Magnusson L, Boccaletti L, Casu G, Hlebec V, Bolko I, Lewis F, Hoefman R, Brolin R, Santini S, Socci M, D’Amen B, de Jong Y, Bouwman T, de Jong N, Leu A, Phelps D, Guggiari E, Wirth A, Morgan V, Becker S, Hanson E. Recruitment of Adolescent Young Carers to a Psychosocial Support Intervention Study in Six European Countries: Lessons Learned from the ME-WE Project. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:5074. [PMID: 36981983 PMCID: PMC10049644 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20065074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Young carers provide a substantial amount of care to family members and support to friends, yet their situation has not been actively addressed in research and policy in many European countries or indeed globally. Awareness of their situation by professionals and among children and young carers themselves remains low overall. Thus, young carers remain a largely hidden group within society. This study reports and analyses the recruitment process in a multi-centre intervention study offering psychosocial support to adolescent young carers (AYCs) aged 15-17 years. A cluster-randomised controlled trial was designed, with recruitment taking place in Italy, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom exploiting various channels, including partnerships with schools, health and social services and carers organisations. In total, 478 AYCs were recruited and, after screening failures, withdrawals and initial dropouts, 217 were enrolled and started the intervention. Challenges encountered in reaching, recruiting and retaining AYCs included low levels of awareness among AYCs, a low willingness to participate in study activities, uncertainty about the prevalence of AYCs, a limited school capacity to support the recruitment; COVID-19 spreading in 2020-2021 and related restrictions. Based on this experience, recommendations are put forward for how to better engage AYCs in research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Barbabella
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, 39182 Kalmar, Sweden
- The Swedish Family Care Competence Centre (NKA), Strömgatan 13, 39232 Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Lennart Magnusson
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, 39182 Kalmar, Sweden
- The Swedish Family Care Competence Centre (NKA), Strömgatan 13, 39232 Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Licia Boccaletti
- Anziani e Non Solo Società Cooperativa Sociale, Via Lenin 55, 41012 Carpi, Italy
| | - Giulia Casu
- Anziani e Non Solo Società Cooperativa Sociale, Via Lenin 55, 41012 Carpi, Italy
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Viale Berti Pichat 5, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Valentina Hlebec
- Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Kardeljeva pl. 5, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Irena Bolko
- Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Kardeljeva pl. 5, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Feylyn Lewis
- School of Nursing, Vanderbilt University, Godchaux Hall 179, 461 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37240, USA
- School of Education and Social Work, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9RG, UK
| | - Renske Hoefman
- The Netherlands Institute for Social Research (SCP), Postbus 16164, 2500 BD The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Rosita Brolin
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, 39182 Kalmar, Sweden
- The Swedish Family Care Competence Centre (NKA), Strömgatan 13, 39232 Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Sara Santini
- Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Aging, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, Via Santa Margherita 5, 60124 Ancona, Italy
| | - Marco Socci
- Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Aging, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, Via Santa Margherita 5, 60124 Ancona, Italy
| | - Barbara D’Amen
- Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Aging, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, Via Santa Margherita 5, 60124 Ancona, Italy
| | - Yvonne de Jong
- Vilans—The National Centre of Expertise for Long-Term Care in The Netherlands, Churchilllaan 11, 3527 GV Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tamara Bouwman
- Vilans—The National Centre of Expertise for Long-Term Care in The Netherlands, Churchilllaan 11, 3527 GV Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nynke de Jong
- Vilans—The National Centre of Expertise for Long-Term Care in The Netherlands, Churchilllaan 11, 3527 GV Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Agnes Leu
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, Medical Faculty, University of Basel, Bernoullistrasse 28, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Health, Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, Gloriastrasse 18a, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Phelps
- Department of Health, Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, Gloriastrasse 18a, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
- Faculty of Health and Well-being, University of Winchester, Winchester SO22 4NR, UK
| | - Elena Guggiari
- Department of Health, Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, Gloriastrasse 18a, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alexandra Wirth
- Department of Health, Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, Gloriastrasse 18a, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
- Careum, Pestalozzistrasse 3, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Vicky Morgan
- Carers Trust, 32–36 Loman Street, London SE1 OEH, UK
| | - Saul Becker
- School of Education and Social Work, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9RG, UK
- Faculty of Health and Education, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M15 6BX, UK
| | - Elizabeth Hanson
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, 39182 Kalmar, Sweden
- The Swedish Family Care Competence Centre (NKA), Strömgatan 13, 39232 Kalmar, Sweden
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Guggiari E, Fatton M, Becker S, Lewis F, Casu G, Hoefman R, Hanson E, Santini S, Boccaletti L, Nap HH, Hlebec V, Wirth A, Leu A. Visibility as a Key Dimension to Better Health-Related Quality of Life and Mental Health: Results of the European Union Funded "ME-WE" Online Survey Study on Adolescent Young Carers in Switzerland. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:3963. [PMID: 36900974 PMCID: PMC10001720 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20053963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
This paper examines the health-related quality of life (HRQL) and mental health of adolescent young carers (AYCs) aged 15-17 in Switzerland, based on data collected within the Horizon 2020 project 'Psychosocial support for promoting mental health and well-being among AYCs in Europe' (ME-WE). It addresses the following questions: (1) Which characteristics of AYCs are associated with lower HRQL and with higher level of mental health problems? (2) Do AYCs who are less visible and less supported report a lower HRQL and more mental health issues than other AYCs? A total of 2343 young people in Switzerland, amongst them 240 AYCs, completed an online survey. The results show that female AYCs and AYCs with Swiss nationality more often reported having mental health issues than their male and non-Swiss counterparts. Furthermore, the findings show a significant association between receiving support for themselves and visibility from their school or employer and the HRQL. Moreover, AYCs who reported that their school or employer knew about the situation also reported fewer mental health issues. These findings can inform recommendations for policy and practice to develop measures aimed at raising the visibility of AYCs, which is the first step for planning AYC tailored support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Guggiari
- Careum School of Health, Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, Gloriastrasse 18a, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
- Careum, Pestalozzistrasse 3, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marianne Fatton
- Medical Faculty, Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Bernoullistrasse 28, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Saul Becker
- Faculty of Health and Education, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M15 6BX, UK
| | - Feylyn Lewis
- School of Nursing, Vanderbilt University, Godchaux Hall 179, 461 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37240, USA
| | - Giulia Casu
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Viale Berti Pichat 5, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Renske Hoefman
- The Netherlands Institute for Social Research (SCP), Postbus 16164, 2500 BD The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Elizabeth Hanson
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, 39182 Kalmar, Sweden
- The Swedish Family Care Competence Centre (NKA), 39232 Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Sara Santini
- Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Aging, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, Via Santa Margherita 5, 60124 Ancona, Italy
| | - Licia Boccaletti
- Anziani e Non Solo Società Cooperativa Sociale, 41012 Carpi, Italy
| | - Henk Herman Nap
- Vilans-The National Centre of Expertise for Long-Term Care in The Netherlands, Churchilllaan 11, 3527 GV Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Valentina Hlebec
- Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Kardeljeva pl. 5, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Agnes Leu
- Careum School of Health, Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, Gloriastrasse 18a, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
- Medical Faculty, Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Bernoullistrasse 28, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
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Untas A, Vioulac C, Justin P, Leu A, Dorard G. Professionals' Awareness of Young Carers in Schools: Results from a French Survey. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:14172. [PMID: 36361049 PMCID: PMC9656982 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192114172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Few studies have investigated professionals' awareness of young carers (YCs). Therefore, the main aim of this study was to explore school professionals' awareness of YCs. The secondary aim was to compare professionals' responses according to their occupation. A total of 2658 professionals took part in this study by completing an online questionnaire. The results indicated that the mean for the perceived age for care beginning was 10.3 years old, with parents being perceived as the most frequent care recipient. The main caring activities reported were domestic chores, emotional support and sibling care, while care provided directly to the care recipient was perceived as less frequent. Many suggestions for improving the identification, referral and support of YCs were seen as relevant, but professionals were less supportive of suggestions for adjustments within schools. The key training needs centered around better identifying YCs and developing better knowledge of their difficulties. Differences were observed according to occupation, with administrative staff and teachers having less accurate perceptions than school counsellors as well as social and health professionals. This study shows that it can be difficult for school professionals to imagine a child providing care. Specific training, therefore, needs to be proposed according to school professionals' occupations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Untas
- Laboratoire de Psychopathologie et Processus de Santé, Université Paris Cité, F-92100 Boulogne Billancourt, France
| | - Christel Vioulac
- Laboratoire de Psychopathologie et Processus de Santé, Université Paris Cité, F-92100 Boulogne Billancourt, France
| | - Pauline Justin
- Laboratoire de Psychopathologie et Processus de Santé, Université Paris Cité, F-92100 Boulogne Billancourt, France
| | - Agnes Leu
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Bernoullistrasse 28, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Géraldine Dorard
- Laboratoire de Psychopathologie et Processus de Santé, Université Paris Cité, F-92100 Boulogne Billancourt, France
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8
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Chevrier B, Dorard G, Jarrige E, Joseph S, Becker S, Leu A, Untas A. Assessing caring activities in French adolescents and young adults: Relevance of the Multidimension Assessment of Caring Activities for Young Carers (MACA-YC18). Child Care Health Dev 2022; 48:788-799. [PMID: 35181929 DOI: 10.1111/cch.12988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Young carers (YC) and young adult carers (YAC) have become of interest in research and practice. The 18-item Multidimensional Assessment of Caring Activities for Young Carers (MACA-YC18) was developed for identifying the extent and nature of caring activities across six domains: domestic chores, household management, financial/practical help, personal care, emotional care, and sibling care. The aim of this research was to investigate the psychometric properties of the French version of the MACA-YC18. METHODS Two quantitative studies were conducted in a general population among adolescents and young adults. The sample was composed of 2688 adolescents (Mage = 16.08; SDage = 0.98; 60.60% girls) in Study 1 and 1192 young adults (Mage = 20.52; SDage = 1.89; 78.27% girls) in Study 2. The psychometric properties were examined via construct validity through internal consistencies, confirmatory factorial analysis, and invariance measurement regarding: gender (girls vs. boys), having a sick/disabled relative (having vs. not), relative's type of illness/disability (physical illness vs. mental illness vs. other illnesses/disabilities), providing support to a sick/disabled relative (providing vs. not), and living arrangement (with family vs. not). RESULTS In both studies, internal consistencies were in line with those reported in the literature, the 6-factor structure was confirmed, and strict invariances were highlighted. CONCLUSIONS Results show that the French version of the MACA-YC18 has good psychometric properties regarding construct validity not only among adolescents but also among young adults. This instrument appears to be a relevant screening tool for identifying and characterizing young carers in the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Géraldine Dorard
- Laboratoire de Psychopathologie et Processus de Santé, Université de Paris, Boulogne-Billancour, France
| | - Eléonore Jarrige
- Laboratoire de Psychopathologie et Processus de Santé, Université de Paris, Boulogne-Billancour, France
| | - Stephen Joseph
- School of Education, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Saul Becker
- Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Agnes Leu
- Careum School of Health, Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, Zürich, Switzerland.,Medical Faculty, Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Aurélie Untas
- Laboratoire de Psychopathologie et Processus de Santé, Université de Paris, Boulogne-Billancour, France
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9
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Hanson E, Barbabella F, Magnusson L, Brolin R, Svensson M, Yghemonos S, Hlebec V, Bolko I, Boccaletti L, Casu G, Hoefman R, de Boer AH, de Roos S, Santini S, Socci M, D’Amen B, Van Zoest F, de Jong N, Nap HH, de Jong Y, Bouwman T, Lewis F, Parkhouse T, Leu A, Phelps D, Guggiari E, Morgan V, Centola F, Joseph S, Becker S. Research and Innovation for and with Adolescent Young Carers to Influence Policy and Practice-The European Union Funded "ME-WE" Project. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:9932. [PMID: 36011572 PMCID: PMC9407711 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19169932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Young carers are children and adolescents who provide care to other family members or friends, taking over responsibilities that are usually associated with adulthood. There is emerging but still scarce knowledge worldwide about the phenomenon of young carers and the impact of a caring role on their health, social and personal development spheres. This paper provides an overview of the main results from the ME-WE project, which is the first European research and innovation project dedicated to adolescent young carers (AYCs) (15-17 years). The project methods relied on three main activities: (1) a systematization of knowledge (by means of a survey to AYCs, country case studies, Delphi study, literature review); (2) the co-design, implementation and evaluation of a primary prevention intervention addressing AYCs' mental health (by means of Blended Learning Networks and a clinical trial in six European countries); (3) the implementation of knowledge translation actions for dissemination, awareness, advocacy and lobbying (by means of national and international stakeholder networks, as well as traditional and new media). Project results substantially contributed to a better understanding of AYCs' conditions, needs and preferences, defined tailored support intervention (resilient to COVID-19 related restrictions), and significant improvements in national and European policies for AYCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Hanson
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, 39182 Kalmar, Sweden
- The Swedish Family Care Competence Centre (NKA), Strömgatan 13, 39232 Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Francesco Barbabella
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, 39182 Kalmar, Sweden
- The Swedish Family Care Competence Centre (NKA), Strömgatan 13, 39232 Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Lennart Magnusson
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, 39182 Kalmar, Sweden
- The Swedish Family Care Competence Centre (NKA), Strömgatan 13, 39232 Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Rosita Brolin
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, 39182 Kalmar, Sweden
- The Swedish Family Care Competence Centre (NKA), Strömgatan 13, 39232 Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Miriam Svensson
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, 39182 Kalmar, Sweden
- The Swedish Family Care Competence Centre (NKA), Strömgatan 13, 39232 Kalmar, Sweden
| | | | - Valentina Hlebec
- Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Kardeljeva pl. 5, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Irena Bolko
- Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Kardeljeva pl. 5, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Licia Boccaletti
- Anziani e Non Solo Società Cooperativa Sociale, Via Lenin 55, 41012 Carpi, Italy
| | - Giulia Casu
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Viale Berti Pichat 5, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Renske Hoefman
- The Netherlands Institute for Social Research (SCP), Postbus 16164, 2500 The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Alice H. de Boer
- The Netherlands Institute for Social Research (SCP), Postbus 16164, 2500 The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Simone de Roos
- The Netherlands Institute for Social Research (SCP), Postbus 16164, 2500 The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Sara Santini
- Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Aging, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, Via Santa Margherita 5, 60124 Ancona, Italy
| | - Marco Socci
- Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Aging, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, Via Santa Margherita 5, 60124 Ancona, Italy
| | - Barbara D’Amen
- Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Aging, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, Via Santa Margherita 5, 60124 Ancona, Italy
| | - Frans Van Zoest
- Vilans–The National Centre of Expertise for Long-Term Care in The Netherlands, Churchilllaan 11, 3527 Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nynke de Jong
- Vilans–The National Centre of Expertise for Long-Term Care in The Netherlands, Churchilllaan 11, 3527 Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Henk Herman Nap
- Vilans–The National Centre of Expertise for Long-Term Care in The Netherlands, Churchilllaan 11, 3527 Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Yvonne de Jong
- Vilans–The National Centre of Expertise for Long-Term Care in The Netherlands, Churchilllaan 11, 3527 Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tamara Bouwman
- Vilans–The National Centre of Expertise for Long-Term Care in The Netherlands, Churchilllaan 11, 3527 Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Feylyn Lewis
- Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, Godchaux Hall 226, 461 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37240, USA
| | - Tom Parkhouse
- School of Education and Social Work, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9RG, UK
| | - Agnes Leu
- Department Health, Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, Gloriastrasse 18a, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland
- Medical Faculty, Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Bernoullistrasse 28, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Phelps
- Department Health, Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, Gloriastrasse 18a, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland
- Faculty of Health and Well-Being, University of Winchester, Winchester SO22 4NR, UK
| | - Elena Guggiari
- Department Health, Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, Gloriastrasse 18a, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Vicky Morgan
- Carers Trust, 32–36 Loman Street, London SE1 OEH, UK
| | - Francesca Centola
- Eurocarers, 14 Rue Père de Deken, 1040 Brussels, Belgium
- Mental Health Europe, Rue de la Presse 4, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Stephen Joseph
- School of Education, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Saul Becker
- School of Education and Social Work, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9RG, UK
- Faculty of Health and Education, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M15 6BX, UK
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10
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Pilato J, Dorard G, Chevrier B, Leu A, Untas A. Quality of Life of Adolescents Facing a Parental Illness: A Person-Oriented Approach. IJERPH 2022; 19:ijerph19137892. [PMID: 35805549 PMCID: PMC9265890 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19137892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Studies that have investigated the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of adolescents facing a parental illness showed inconsistent results, and none used a person-oriented approach allowing for a deeper understanding of their experience. The aim of this study was to compare the HRQoL of adolescents facing a parental illness to that of their peers, and to explore their HRQoL through a person-oriented approach. The sample consisted of 1324 adolescents recruited in secondary schools (11–15 years old). Adolescents completed questionnaires assessing sociodemographic characteristics, parental illness, HRQoL (KIDSCREEN-52), and academic performance and caring activities (MACA-YC18). Adolescents facing a parental illness showed significantly lower HRQoL than their peers on all dimensions. The cluster analysis yielded five patterns of HRQoL among adolescents facing a parental illness: Low HRQoL; High HRQoL; Moderate HRQoL with High Social Acceptance; High Well-Being, High Moods and Emotions, and High Social Support and Peers. These clusters differed according to demographics, the type of parental illness, illness perception, academic performance, and level of caring activities. The Low HRQoL cluster showed especially low academic performance and high level of caring activities. This multidimensional HRQoL evaluation thus helps to foreground the diversity of these adolescents’ experiences in order to better address their needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jade Pilato
- Laboratoire de Psychopathologie et Processus de Santé, Université Paris Cité, 92100 Boulogne Billancourt, France; (G.D.); (A.U.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Géraldine Dorard
- Laboratoire de Psychopathologie et Processus de Santé, Université Paris Cité, 92100 Boulogne Billancourt, France; (G.D.); (A.U.)
| | - Basilie Chevrier
- PSYCLE, Aix-Marseille Université, 13628 Aix-en-Provence, France;
| | - Agnes Leu
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Bernoullistrasse 28, 4056 Basel, Switzerland;
| | - Aurélie Untas
- Laboratoire de Psychopathologie et Processus de Santé, Université Paris Cité, 92100 Boulogne Billancourt, France; (G.D.); (A.U.)
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11
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Wepf H, Joseph S, Leu A. Pathways to Mental Well-Being in Young Carers: The Role of Benefit Finding, Coping, Helplessness, and Caring Tasks. J Youth Adolesc 2021; 50:1911-1924. [PMID: 34282492 PMCID: PMC8352805 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-021-01478-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Although prior research has shown that young carers may perceive benefits from their challenging situation, it is unclear how and when benefit finding leads to better mental health. This study examines pathways through which benefit finding may influence mental well-being. Self-reported data were obtained from 601 adolescents aged 15–21 (Mage = 17.87, 71.9% female) who provided care for a close person with physical or mental health problems. Benefit finding was associated with better mental well-being directly as well as indirectly via better coping and lower helplessness. These findings were similar across young carers with different caring task profiles, except for a few differences regarding social/emotional and instrumental care. The study suggests that benefit finding could promote coping skills and mental well-being in adolescent young carers with implications for the design of future research on interventions with young carers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Wepf
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Careum School of Health, Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Stephen Joseph
- School of Education, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Agnes Leu
- Careum School of Health, Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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12
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Research has shown that some young carers face many negative consequences because of their caring experiences, whereas others seem to be unaffected or even report greater well-being. To understand how caring for a family member or close friend can have these different effects, this study compared benefit finding between young carers and their peers and examined its association with mental well-being. DESIGN We recruited 2,525 adolescents aged 15-21 years (59.6% female, Mage = 17.73) through the Swiss education system. They were asked to complete measures of caring experiences, benefit finding, and mental well-being. Young carers (n = 1,137), including adolescents who currently or formerly provided care, were compared to adolescents without caring experiences (n = 1,388). RESULTS Young carers had a higher level of overall benefit finding than non-carer peers, and their profiles of benefit finding differed regarding the dimensions of growth and empathy. The association between caring experiences and mental well-being was weaker when benefit finding was higher. Benefit finding dimensions were differently associated with mental well-being among young carers. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that caring is associated with benefit finding and suggests that engaging with past stressors in a positive way may promote resilience in young carers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Wepf
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Careum School of Health, Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stephen Joseph
- School of Education, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Agnes Leu
- Careum School of Health, Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland.,Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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13
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Justin P, Dorard G, Vioulac C, Leu A, Untas A. What do French school staff know about young carers? A qualitative study about their perceptions. Psychology in the Schools 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/pits.22510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Justin
- Laboratoire de Psychopathologie et Processus de Santé Université de Paris Boulogne‐Billancourt France
| | - Géraldine Dorard
- Laboratoire de Psychopathologie et Processus de Santé Université de Paris Boulogne‐Billancourt France
| | - Christel Vioulac
- Laboratoire de Psychopathologie et Processus de Santé Université de Paris Boulogne‐Billancourt France
| | - Agnes Leu
- Careum School of Health Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences Zürich Switzerland
- Institute of Biomedical Ethics, Medical Faculty University of Basel Basel Switzerland
| | - Aurélie Untas
- Laboratoire de Psychopathologie et Processus de Santé Université de Paris Boulogne‐Billancourt France
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14
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Leu A, Wepf H, Sempik J, Nagl-Cupal M, Becker S, Jung C, Frech M. Caring in mind? Professionals' awareness of young carers and young adult carers in Switzerland. Health Soc Care Community 2020; 28:2390-2398. [PMID: 32662145 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Findings from international research emphasis the need of these young people to be identified and recognised. Therefore, a nationwide quantitative study of professionals' awareness was conducted in the Swiss context. Data were collected from professionals working in education, healthcare and social services. The study examined professionals' familiarity with the terms used to describe young people with caring responsibilities; their ability to identify the population in their professional context; their perception of the relevance of the issue; their ability to support them; and their own training needs. Potential study participants were contacted via email. Data were collected using an online survey, which was open for 14 weeks during the period of September to December 2016. Survey data from 2,311 professionals, who reported being regularly in contact with young people with caring responsibilities in their occupational context, were included for analysis. Of all terms presented in the survey, young carer (YC) was the term most familiar to all professionals. Among healthcare and education sector, the percentage of professionals familiar with this term was higher than that among professionals from social services. Professionals from social services were the most likely to consider the issue relevant to their work, those from education were the least likely. Professionals who were familiar with the terms describing YC were more likely to consider the issue relevant to their work. Study results showed that more than half of the respondents had not identified young people with caring responsibilities, and that the ability of participants to identify YC was related to their occupational sector. The perceived ability to support YC was related to their reported ability to recognise them. In order to enable professionals to support YC, raising awareness, providing training for professionals and a national network of existing organisations should be well considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnes Leu
- Careum School of Health, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Hannah Wepf
- Careum School of Health, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Joe Sempik
- School of Social Policy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Martin Nagl-Cupal
- Department of Nursing Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Saul Becker
- School of Education and Social Work, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Corinna Jung
- Careum School of Health, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marianne Frech
- Careum School of Health, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Nursing Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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15
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Santini S, Socci M, D’Amen B, Di Rosa M, Casu G, Hlebec V, Lewis F, Leu A, Hoefman R, Brolin R, Magnusson L, Hanson E. Positive and Negative Impacts of Caring among Adolescents Caring for Grandparents. Results from an Online Survey in Six European Countries and Implications for Future Research, Policy and Practice. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17:E6593. [PMID: 32927827 PMCID: PMC7559354 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17186593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Although up to 8% of European youngsters carry out high-intensity care for a family member, adolescent young carers (AYCs), especially those caring for their grandparents (GrPs), remain an under-researched group. This study aimed at addressing the current knowledge gap by carrying out an online survey in Italy, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The analysis included a final sample of 817 AYCs aged 15-17 years old. AYCs of grandparents (GrPs) were compared to AYCs of other care recipients (OCRs), in order to identify any difference in positive and negative caregiving outcomes and exposure factors between the two groups. Linear or logistic regression models were built, and multivariate analyses were repeated, including a fixed effect on the country variable. AYCs of GrPs experienced more positive caregiving outcomes than AYCs of OCRs across all six countries. Being female or non-binary, and having a migration background, were associated with more negative outcomes, regardless of the relationship with the care recipient. Further research on intergenerational caregiving outcomes is recommended for shaping measures and policies, which preserve the intergenerational emotional bonds, whilst protecting AYCs from inappropriate responsibilities, undermining their mental health and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Santini
- Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Aging, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, Via Santa Margherita 5, 60124 Ancona, Italy; (S.S.); (B.D.)
| | - Marco Socci
- Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Aging, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, Via Santa Margherita 5, 60124 Ancona, Italy; (S.S.); (B.D.)
| | - Barbara D’Amen
- Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Aging, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, Via Santa Margherita 5, 60124 Ancona, Italy; (S.S.); (B.D.)
| | - Mirko Di Rosa
- Unit of Geriatric Pharmacoepidemiology and Biostatistics, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, Via Santa Margherita 5, 60124 Ancona, Italy;
| | - Giulia Casu
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, viale Berti Pichat 5, 40127 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Valentina Hlebec
- Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Kardeljeva pl. 5, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Zdravstvena pot. 5, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Feylyn Lewis
- School of Education and Social Work, University of Sussex, Essex House 121, Brighton BN1 9QQ, UK;
| | - Agnes Leu
- Careum School of Health, University of Applied Sciences, Pestalozzistrasse 3, 8032 Zürich, Switzerland;
- Medical Faculty, Institute of Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 61, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Renske Hoefman
- The Netherlands Institute for Social Research (SCP), Postbus 16164, 2500 BD De Hague, The Netherlands;
| | - Rosita Brolin
- Department Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, SE-39182 Kalmar, Sweden; (R.B.); (L.M.); (E.H.)
- The Swedish Family Care Competence Centre, Strömgatan 13, SE-39232 Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Lennart Magnusson
- Department Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, SE-39182 Kalmar, Sweden; (R.B.); (L.M.); (E.H.)
- The Swedish Family Care Competence Centre, Strömgatan 13, SE-39232 Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Elizabeth Hanson
- Department Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, SE-39182 Kalmar, Sweden; (R.B.); (L.M.); (E.H.)
- The Swedish Family Care Competence Centre, Strömgatan 13, SE-39232 Kalmar, Sweden
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16
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Wangmo T, Padrutt Y, Koné I, Gächter T, Elger BS, Leu A. Practicality of Acute and Transitional Care and its consequences in the era of SwissDRG: a focus group study. BMC Health Serv Res 2019; 19:374. [PMID: 31196075 PMCID: PMC6567569 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-019-4220-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Switzerland recently introduced Acute and Transitional Care (ATC) as a new financing option and a preventive measure to mitigate potential side effects of Swiss Diagnosis Related Group (SwissDRG). The goal of ATC was to support patients who after acute treatment at a hospital require temporary increased professional care. However, evidence is lacking as to the practicality of ATC. METHODS Using qualitative focus group methodology, we sought to understand the implementation and use of ATC. A purposive sample of forty-two professionals from five Swiss cantons participated in this study. We used a descriptive thematic approach to analyse the data. RESULTS Our findings first reveal that ATC's implementation differs in the five cantons (i.e. federal states). In two cantons, only ambulatory variant of ATC is used; in one canton only stationary ATC has been created, and two cantons had both ambulatory and stationary ATC but preferred the latter. Second, there are intrinsic practical challenges associated with ATC, which include physicians' lack of familiarity with ATC and its regulatory limitations. Finally, participants felt that due to shorter hospital stays because of SwissDRG, premature discharge of patients with complex care needs to stationary ATC takes place. This development does not fit the nursing home concept of care tailored to long-term patients. CONCLUSION This empirical study underscores that there is a strong need to improve ATC so that it is uniformly implemented throughout the country and its application is streamlined. In light of the newness of ATC as well as SwissDRG, their impact on the quality of care received by patients is yet to be fully understood. Empirical evidence is necessary to improve these two measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tenzin Wangmo
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Bernoullistrasse 28, 4056, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Yvonne Padrutt
- Faculty of Law, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Insa Koné
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Bernoullistrasse 28, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Gächter
- Faculty of Law, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Bernice S Elger
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Bernoullistrasse 28, 4056, Basel, Switzerland.,Center for Legal Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Agnes Leu
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Bernoullistrasse 28, 4056, Basel, Switzerland.,Department Health Sciences, Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland
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17
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Zimmermann BM, Koné I, Rost M, Leu A, Wangmo T, Elger BS. Factors associated with post-acute discharge location after hospital stay: a cross-sectional study from a Swiss hospital. BMC Health Serv Res 2019; 19:289. [PMID: 31068169 PMCID: PMC6505070 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-019-4101-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2012, Switzerland introduced the diagnosis-related group hospital payment system. Fearing that vulnerable patients may be discharged early, Acute and Transitional Care (ATC) was introduced to address the nursing care of patients who no longer needed an acute hospital stay. ATC is more costly for patients when compared to other discharge options like rehabilitation while providing less rehabilitative services. This study investigates factors associated with the place of discharge for patients in need of care. METHODS Data was collected from 660 medical records of inpatients 50 years and older of the municipal hospital Triemli in Zurich, Switzerland. We used stepwise logistic regression to identify factors associated with their discharge into ATC or rehabilitation. RESULTS Older patients with higher Delirium Observation Scale (DOS), lack of supplementary health insurance, resuscitation order and a lower social network were more likely to be discharged into ATC than rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS The association of supplementary health insurance and social network with discharge into ATC or rehabilitation is problematic because patients that are already vulnerable from a financial and social perspective are potentially discharged into a more costly and less rehabilitative post-acute care facility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bettina M Zimmermann
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Bernoullistrasse 28, 4056, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Insa Koné
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Bernoullistrasse 28, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Rost
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Bernoullistrasse 28, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Agnes Leu
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Bernoullistrasse 28, 4056, Basel, Switzerland.,Careum Research, Department Health Sciences, Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, Pestalozzistrasse 3, 8032, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Tenzin Wangmo
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Bernoullistrasse 28, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Bernice S Elger
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Bernoullistrasse 28, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
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18
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Leu A, Frech M, Jung C. Young carers and young adult carers in Switzerland: Caring roles, ways into care and the meaning of communication. Health Soc Care Community 2018; 26:925-934. [PMID: 30074654 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.12622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Revised: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Although there is already general recognition of the fact that many relatives provide unpaid care for family members, there is still little awareness that children, adolescents and young adults under 25 also provide such care. Until recently, the situation of young carers and young adult carers, as those young persons are referred to in international research, has not been in the focus of professionals, research and the public in Switzerland. Between September 2015 and October 2016, 30 interviews in seven cantons were conducted with 16 young carers aged 10-17 and 14 young adult carers aged 18-25. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed following a grounded theory approach. This paper now presents the first qualitative data on Swiss young carers and young adult carers. It explores their sociodemographic backgrounds, the nature and intensity of caring tasks they carry out, their pathways into caring as well as the role of communication with family members, extended family, professionals and peers. Our findings provide a first insight in the lives of young carers and young adult carers in Switzerland and illustrate, as well, the challenges they face.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnes Leu
- Careum Research, Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, Department of Health Science, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, Science and Medical Faculties, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marianne Frech
- Careum Research, Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, Department of Health Science, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Vienna
| | - Corinna Jung
- Careum Research, Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, Department of Health Science, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Leu A, Frech M, Jung C. "You don't look for it"-A study of Swiss professionals' awareness of young carers and their support needs. Health Soc Care Community 2018; 26:e560-e570. [PMID: 29642272 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.12574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/04/2018] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
While political and public interest in providing support for family carers is growing, so called young carers and young adult carers-young persons under the ages of 18 and 25 respectively-mostly remain unrecognised. Yet, this vulnerable group is in need of special attention and support from professionals in order to get along with the situation of an ill family member and the caring duties they perform. This paper presents the results from a focus group study on the level of awareness among professionals from healthcare, education and social services concerning the topic of caring children, adolescents and young adults; and on the practice tools they consider necessary and helpful in order to support young carers and young adult carers. Twenty-seven professionals from the German- and French-speaking parts of Switzerland participated in five focus groups. The focus groups were recorded and transcribed verbatim, and the transcripts were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Our findings show that the professionals have a low level of awareness of the issue of young carers and young adult carers and also highlight the professionals' willingness to engage with the subject. The results also show that professionals consider that practice tools (such as standardised questionnaires and check lists) could be important devices in providing support for young carers and young adult carers. These tools could be helpful in identifying this group, enabling them to identify themselves as such, and would ensure that they received appropriate support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnes Leu
- Department of Health Science, Careum Research, Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marianne Frech
- Department of Health Science, Careum Research, Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Corinna Jung
- Department of Health Science, Careum Research, Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Leu A, Jung C, Frech M, Sempik J, Moser U, Verner M, Becker S. Study protocol: young carers and young adult carers in Switzerland. BMC Health Serv Res 2018; 18:183. [PMID: 29544484 PMCID: PMC5856275 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-018-2981-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2016] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In Switzerland, the issue of young carers and young adult carers - young people under the age of 18 and 24 respectively, who take on significant or substantial caring tasks and levels of responsibility that would usually be associated with an adult - has not been researched before. The number of these younger carers is unknown, as is the extent and kind of their caring activities and the outcomes for their health, well-being, psycho-social development, education, transitions to adulthood, future employability and economic participation. Methods The project is comprised of three stages:A national Swiss-wide online survey to examine awareness of the issue of younger carers amongst professional populations in the education, health and social services sectors; An online survey of 4800 Swiss pupils in schools using standardised instruments to identify the proportion and characteristics of pupils who are carers; and Semi-structured interviews with 20 families comprising family members with care needs and younger carers, to consolidate and validate the other stages of the study; and to hear directly from care-dependent family members and younger carers about their experiences of the issues identified in the surveys and in previous published research.
Discussion The needs of younger carers and their ill and disabled family members in Switzerland have not been systematically investigated. This will be the first study in the country to investigate these issues and to develop evidence-based recommendations for policy and practice, drawing also on international research. The present study therefore fills an important national and international research gap. It will collect important data on the awareness, extent, kind and impact of caring amongst children and young people in Switzerland, and cross-link these findings with robust evidence from other countries. The study will reveal (a) the extent of awareness of the issue of young carers amongst medical, social, health, educational, and other groups in Switzerland; (b) the proportion and number of young carers amongst a normative child population, and what these young carers ‘do’ in terms of their caring roles; and (c) direct accounts by families of their care-giving and receiving experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnes Leu
- Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, Careum Research, Pestalozzistrasse 7, CH-8032, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Corinna Jung
- Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, Careum Research, Pestalozzistrasse 7, CH-8032, Zurich, Switzerland. .,Institut für Hausarztmedizin der Universität Zürich, UniversitätsSpital Zurich, Pestalozzistrasse 24, CH-8091, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Marianne Frech
- Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, Careum Research, Pestalozzistrasse 7, CH-8032, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Joe Sempik
- Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, Careum Research, Pestalozzistrasse 7, CH-8032, Zurich, Switzerland.,School of Social Policy, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
| | - Urs Moser
- Institut für Bildungsevaluation, Assoziiertes Institut der Universität Zürich, Wilfriedstrasse 15, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Verner
- Institut für Bildungsevaluation, Assoziiertes Institut der Universität Zürich, Wilfriedstrasse 15, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Saul Becker
- University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT, Birmingham, UK
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Leu A, Wepf H, Elger B, Wangmo T. Experts' perspectives on SwissDRG: Second class care for vulnerable patient groups? Health Policy 2018; 122:577-582. [PMID: 29567204 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2018.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2016] [Revised: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
On the 1st of January 2012, Switzerland introduced the diagnosis-related group hospital tariff structure (SwissDRG). It was recognised that healthcare provided to the most vulnerable patient groups would be a challenge for the new SwissDRG. Coincident with the implementation of SwissDRG, we explored hospital experts' perceptions of which patient groups are vulnerable under the SwissDRG system, what has changed for this group, as well as solutions to ensure adequate access to health care for them. We interviewed 43 experts from 40 Swiss hospitals. Participating experts named several vulnerable patient groups who share some common characteristics. These hospital experts were concerned about the patient groups that are not financially profitable and questioned the practicability of the current regulation. At the same time, they highlighted the complexity associated with caring for this group under the new SwissDRG and reported measures at the macro, meso, and micro levels to protect vulnerable patient groups from negative effects. To curb negative outcomes for vulnerable patient groups after the introduction of the SwissDRG, the Swiss legislation has introduced various instruments including the acute and transitional care (ATC) measures. We conclude that ATC measures do not produce the expected effect the legislators had hoped for. More health data is needed to identify situations where vulnerable patient groups are more susceptible to inadequate health care access in Switzerland.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Leu
- Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, Department Health Sciences, Careum Research, Zürich, Switzerland; Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - H Wepf
- Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, Department Health Sciences, Careum Research, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - B Elger
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - T Wangmo
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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McLennan S, Shaw D, Leu A, Elger B. Professional liability insurance and medical error disclosure. Swiss Med Wkly 2015; 145:w14164. [PMID: 26151131 DOI: 10.4414/smw.2015.14164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
QUESTION UNDER STUDY To examine medicolegal stakeholders' views about the impact of professional liability insurance in Switzerland on medical error disclosure. METHODS Purposive sample of 23 key medicolegal stakeholders in Switzerland from a range of fields between October 2012 and February 2013. Data were collected via individual, face-to-face interviews using a researcher-developed semi-structured interview guide. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using conventional content analysis. RESULTS Participants, particularly those with a legal or quality background, reported that concerns relating to professional liability insurance often inhibited communication with patients after a medical error. Healthcare providers were reported to be particularly concerned about losing their liability insurance cover for apologising to harmed patients. It was reported that the attempt to limit the exchange of information and communication could lead to a conflict with patient rights law. Participants reported that hospitals could, and in some case are, moving towards self-insurance approaches, which could increase flexibility regarding error communication CONCLUSION The reported current practice of at least some liability insurance companies in Switzerland of inhibiting communication with harmed patients after an error is concerning and requires further investigation. With a new ethic of transparency regarding medical errors now prevailing internationally, this approach is increasingly being perceived to be misguided. A move away from hospitals relying solely on liability insurance may allow greater transparency after errors. Legalisation preventing the loss of liability insurance coverage for apologising to harmed patients should also be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart McLennan
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - David Shaw
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Agnes Leu
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Switzerland / Careum Research, Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, Department Health, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Bernice Elger
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Switzerland
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Wild V, Carina F, Frouzakis R, Clarinval C, Fässler M, Elger B, Gächter T, Leu A, Spirig R, Kleinknecht M, Radovanovic D, Mouton Dorey C, Burnand B, Vader JP, Januel JM, Biller-Andorno N, The IDoC Group. Assessing the impact of DRGs on patient care and professional practice in Switzerland (IDoC) - a potential model for monitoring and evaluating healthcare reform. Swiss Med Wkly 2015; 145:w14034. [PMID: 25668028 DOI: 10.4414/smw.2015.14034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
QUESTIONS UNDER STUDY The starting point of the interdisciplinary project "Assessing the impact of diagnosis related groups (DRGs) on patient care and professional practice" (IDoC) was the lack of a systematic ethical assessment for the introduction of cost containment measures in healthcare. Our aim was to contribute to the methodological and empirical basis of such an assessment. METHODS Five sub-groups conducted separate but related research within the fields of biomedical ethics, law, nursing sciences and health services, applying a number of complementary methodological approaches. The individual research projects were framed within an overall ethical matrix. Workshops and bilateral meetings were held to identify and elaborate joint research themes. RESULTS Four common, ethically relevant themes emerged in the results of the studies across sub-groups: (1.) the quality and safety of patient care, (2.) the state of professional practice of physicians and nurses, (3.) changes in incentives structure, (4.) vulnerable groups and access to healthcare services. Furthermore, much-needed data for future comparative research has been collected and some early insights into the potential impact of DRGs are outlined. CONCLUSIONS Based on the joint results we developed preliminary recommendations related to conceptual analysis, methodological refinement, monitoring and implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Verina Wild
- Institute of Biomedical Ethics and History of Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Fourie Carina
- Institute of Biomedical Ethics and History of Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Regula Frouzakis
- Institute of Biomedical Ethics and History of Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Caroline Clarinval
- Institute of Biomedical Ethics and History of Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Bernice Elger
- Institute of Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Gächter
- Institute of Legal Sciences, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Agnes Leu
- Institute of Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Rebecca Spirig
- Institute of Nursing Science, University of Basel, Switzerland; Department of Nursing and Allied Health Care Professions, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Kleinknecht
- Centre for Clinical Nursing Sciences, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dragana Radovanovic
- Institute of Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Prevention, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Corine Mouton Dorey
- Institute of Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Prevention, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Bernard Burnand
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland
| | - John-Paul Vader
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Marie Januel
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland
| | - Nikola Biller-Andorno
- Institute of Biomedical Ethics and History of Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland
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Leu A, Frech M. [Still invisible, but not forgotten]. Krankenpfl Soins Infirm 2015; 108:8-80. [PMID: 26411071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
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McLennan S, Engel S, Ruhe K, Leu A, Schwappach D, Elger B. Implementation status of error disclosure standards reported by Swiss hospitals. Swiss Med Wkly 2013; 143:w13820. [PMID: 23832277 DOI: 10.4414/smw.2013.13820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
QUESTION UNDER STUDY To establish at what stage Swiss hospitals are in implementing an internal standard concerning communication with patients and families after an error that resulted in harm. METHODS Hospitals were identified via the Swiss Hospital Association's website. An anonymous questionnaire was sent during September and October 2011 to 379 hospitals in German, French or Italian. Hospitals were asked to specify their hospital type and the implementation status of an internal hospital standard that decrees that patients or their relatives are to be promptly informed about medical errors that result in harm. RESULTS Responses from a total of 205 hospitals were received, a response rate of 54%. Most responding hospitals (62%) had an error disclosure standard or planned to implement one within 12 months. The majority of responding university and acute care (75%) hospitals had introduced a disclosure standard or were planning to do so. In contrast, the majority of responding psychiatric, rehabilitation and specialty (53%) clinics had not introduced a standard. CONCLUSION It appears that Swiss hospitals are in a promising state in providing institutional support for practitioners disclosing medical errors to patients. This has been shown internationally to be one important factor in encouraging the disclosure of medical errors. However, many hospitals, in particular psychiatric, rehabilitation and specialty clinics, have not implemented an error disclosure policy. Further research is needed to explore the underlying reasons.
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Affiliation(s)
- S McLennan
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University Basel, Switzerland.
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Ristić-Durrant D, Leu A, Slavnić S, Gräser A. 241 MARKERLESS VISION-BASED HUMAN GAIT ANALYSIS SYSTEM FOR GAIT REHABILITATION. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/s1353-8020(10)70242-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Enzler M, Drobny T, Franzeck U, Inderbitzi R, Leu A. Inguinal mass as a late complication of hip arthroplasty. Differential diagnosis and treatment from a vascular surgical perspective. VASA 2000; 29:288-91. [PMID: 11141655 DOI: 10.1024/0301-1526.29.4.288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
We report on three patients with a symptomatic inguinal mass as a late complication of repetitive arthroplastic hip surgery. In one case, there was a false aneurysm and in two cases a so-called "synovial cyst". A synovial cyst is usually an enlarged iliopsoas bursa in communication with the capsule of the hip joint. Hypersecretion in arthritic joints may cause expansion of this bursa. Compression of the common femoral and external iliac veins may lead to outflow obstruction and leg swelling. The most important diagnostic tools are plain films of the hip joint and ultrasound of the groin including colour-coded assessment of the femoral vessels. Symptomatic cysts usually need removing by an anterior approach. Loose arthroplastic components can be causative and should be replaced.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Enzler
- Klinik Hirslanden and Klinik Wilhelm Schulthess, Switzerland
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Enzler M, Jaeck W, Berger M, Leu A. [Bypass to the anterior interosseous artery of the arm: follow-up of 3 years]. VASA 1998; 27:250-2. [PMID: 9859749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Bypass to the anterior interosseous artery in the forearm: Follow-up at 3 years A 56 year-old, otherwise healthy woman suffered from acute ischaemia of her left arm one year after a fracture of the radius which had been treated with plaster fixation. Angiography demonstrated occlusions of the brachial, radial and ulnar arteries. Three surgical thrombectomies, local fibrinolysis and throacoscopic sympathectomy all failed to restore adequate blood supply to the forearm and hand. The patient continued to have pain on exercise and even at rest. After three months, an autologous vein bypass graft was implanted from the proximal brachial artery to the anterior interosseous artery. Thereafter, the patient became free of symptoms. At over three years, angiography was repeated and demonstrated a patent bypass. Furthermore, the lumen of the previously heavily diseased brachial artery had considerably improved in terms of diameter and regularity. These changes and possible mechanisms are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Enzler
- Universitätsspital Zürich and Gefässzentrum Hirslanden, Schweiz
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Abstract
Differences in the natural-abundance carbon stable isotopic compositions between products from aerobic cultures of Escherichia coli K-12 were measured. Respired CO2 was 3.4% depleted in 13C relative to the glucose used as the carbon source, whereas the acetate was 12.3% enriched in 13C. The acetate 13C enrichment was solely in the carboxyl group. Even though the total cellular carbon was only 0.6% depleted in 13C, intracellular components exhibited a significant isotopic heterogeneity. The protein and lipid fractions were -1.1 and -2.7%, respectively. Aspartic and glutamic acids were -1.6 and +2.7%, respectively, yet citrate was isotopically identical to the glucose. Probable sites of carbon isotopic fractionation include the enzyme, phosphotransacetylase, and the Krebs cycle.
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Săvulescu V, Leu A, Darutzi A. [Duodenal obstruction due to gallbladder lithiasis]. Rev Chir Oncol Radiol O R L Oftalmol Stomatol Chir 1981; 30:313-5. [PMID: 6460281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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Săvulescu V, Leu A, Moianu R. [Eosinophilic granuloma of the stomach]. Rev Med Interna Neurol Psihiatr Neurochir Dermatovenerol Med Interna 1976; 28:159-60. [PMID: 4875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Săvulescu V, Leu A, Cristea H, Dinescu G, Meleaşă M. [Segmental benign stenosis of the hepatic duct]. Rev Chir Oncol Radiol O R L Oftalmol Stomatol Chir 1975; 24:207-8. [PMID: 127224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Litarczek G, Cristea I, Panaitescu E, Cârstea M, Leu A, Darutzi A, Cristea H, Benţia L. [Current aspects of theapy of postoperative paralysis of the digestive tract (problem of stress disease in the digestive area)]. Chirurgia (Bucur) 1973; 22:837-48. [PMID: 4147597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Fagarasanu I, Chitlaru L, Leu A, Dinescu G, Bonachi A. [Intragastric invagination of the efferent loop, a late complication of gastrectomy]. Presse Med (1893) 1966; 74:63-5. [PMID: 5901884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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