The Quick FICS: 5 and 10 Item Versions of the Family Inpatient Communication Survey

CONTEXT

Communication quality in the hospital impacts outcomes like satisfaction, depression, and anxiety for families, and assessment tools must be efficient and reliable.

OBJECTIVES

We developed the Quick FICS-5 and -10, shorter versions of the 30-item Family Inpatient Communication Survey (FICS).

METHODS

The Quick FICS were developed from the original FICS study of hospitalized patients 65+ and their surrogates. The development sample came from the original FICS-30 scale. The validation sample came from a randomized controlled trial of surrogates for adult ICU patients. Participants were family members of patients on medical ICU or inpatient medicine services at three hospitals in a Midwest metropolitan area. We evaluated validity and reliability using factor analysis, internal consistency, and associations with surrogate psychological and decision-making outcomes.

RESULTS

In the development sample of 364 patient/surrogate dyads, most surrogates were adult children (66.8%), female (70.9%), and white (68.9%). We identified 5-item and 10-item surveys. Exploratory factor analysis supported an overall communication score for the FICS-5 and FICS-10, as well as information and emotional support subscales for the FICS-10. There was high internal reliability (Cronbach's alpha was 0.83 for the FICS-5 and 0.90 for the FICS-10; information and emotional support subscales were 0.89 and 0.75 respectively). There was good predictive validity when comparing FICS scores to outcomes six to eight weeks after discharge, including anxiety (P = -0.13; P = 0.0234), and satisfaction with the hospital stay (P = 0.48; P < 0.0001). Similarly, the validation sample (n = 188) revealed Cronbach's alpha ranging from 0.81 to 0.93 and significant correlations (P < 0.05) with concurrent distress, anxiety, depression, and decision regret.

CONCLUSIONS

The Quick FICS offers efficient, valid, and reliable evaluation of communication quality in the hospital that can be useful for research and quality improvement.

Experiences of caregiving with Alzheimer's disease in the LGBT community

BACKGROUND

The goal of this paper is to develop a more thorough understanding of the experiences of LGBT older adults living with dementia and their caregivers.

METHODS

A phenomenological approach using in-depth interviews with current or former caregivers of LGBT persons living with Alzheimer's disease (AD) was conducted.

RESULTS

Participants ranged in age from 44-77 years old; 74% were lesbian, 16% gay, 5% straight, and 5% unknown. Five themes were identified from the analysis: Caregiver tension and isolation; financial stress & security; lack of social support & connection; engineering grief support, and entrapment of past and present stigma and discrimination.

CONCLUSIONS

Discrimination related to LGBT status was an important theme over the participants' lives and occurred for several during dementia care. While other themes were similar to prior AD studies, LGBT status affected these other aspects of the caregiving experience. Findings can inform future programs that better meet needs of LGBT people and those who care for them.

Effects of Spiritual Care on Well-Being of Intensive Care Family Surrogates: A Clinical Trial

CONTEXT

Critical illness of a family member is associated with high emotional and spiritual distress and difficult medical decisions.

OBJECTIVES

To determine if a semistructured spiritual care intervention improves the well-being of family surrogate decision makers in intensive care (ICU) settings.

METHODS

This study is a randomized, allocation-concealed, parallel group, usual care-controlled, single-blind trial of patient/surrogate dyads in five ICUs in one Midwest, academic medical center. Patients were 18 and older admitted to the ICU and unable to make medical decisions. The intervention involved proactive contact from the chaplain, scheduled, semi-structured visits, weekly follow-up, and bereavement calls. The control group received usual care. The primary endpoint was the surrogate's anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorders-7 scale), six to eight weeks after discharge.

RESULTS

Of 192 patient/surrogate dyads enrolled, 128 completed outcome assessments. At follow-up, anxiety in the intervention group was lower than control (median score 1 (interquartile range 0,6) vs. 4 (1,9), P = 0.0057). The proportion of patients with a minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in anxiety of 2+ was 65.2% in the intervention group vs. 49.2% in control. The odds of an MCID remained higher in adjusted analysis (Odds Ratio 3.11, 95% confidence interval 1.18, 8.21; P = 0.0218) The adjusted odds of an MCID were higher for spiritual well-being (OR 3.79, CI 1.41,10.17; P = 0.0081). Satisfaction with spiritual care was also higher (adjusted mean 3.5 ± 0.4 vs. 2.9 ± 0.1); P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Proactive, semistructured spiritual care delivered by chaplains improves well-being for ICU surrogates. Results provide evidence for inclusion of chaplains in palliative and intensive care teams.

A descriptive study of the multidisciplinary healthcare experiences of inpatient resuscitation events

Background

In-hospital resuscitation events have complex and enduring effects on clinicians, with implications for job satisfaction, performance, and burnout. Ethically ambiguous cases are associated with increased moral distress. We aim to quantitatively describe the multidisciplinary resuscitation experience.

Methods

Multidisciplinary in-hospital healthcare professionals at an adult academic health center in the Midwestern United States completed surveys one and six weeks after a resuscitation event. Surveys included demographic data, task load (NASA-TLX), overall and moral distress, anxiety, depression, and spiritual peace. Spearman's rank correlation was computed to assess task load and distress.

Results

During the 5-month study period, the study included 12 resuscitation events across six inpatient units. Of 82 in-hospital healthcare professionals eligible for recruitment, 44 (53.7%) completed the one-week post-resuscitation event survey. Of those, 37 (84.1%) completed the six-week survey. Highest median task load burden at one week was seen for temporal demand, effort, and mental demand. Median moral distress scores were low, while "at peace" median scores tended to be high. There were no significant non-zero changes in task load or distress scores from weeks 1-6. Mental demand (r = 0.545, p < 0.001), physical demand (r = 0.464, p = 0.005), performance (r = -0.539, p < 0.001), and frustration (r = 0.545, p < 0.001) significantly correlated with overall distress. Performance (r = -0.371, p = 0.028) and frustration (r = 0.480, p = 0.004) also significantly correlated with moral distress.

Conclusions

In-hospital healthcare professionals' experiences of resuscitation events are varied and complex. Aspects of task load burden including mental and physical demand, performance, and frustration contribute to overall and moral distress, deserving greater attention in clinical contexts.

Health Care System Distrust, Race, and Surrogate Decision-Making Regarding Code Status

Purpose

Previous studies have shown that black patients are more likely to prefer life-sustaining treatments such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation at end-of-life (EOL) compared to non-Hispanic white patients. Given prior racial disparities in health care, distrust has been proposed to explain these preferences. As many hospitalized older adults require surrogates to make medical decisions, we explored surrogates' code status preferences and the role of trust in these decisions.

Methods

We conducted secondary analyses of an observational study of patient/surrogate dyads admitted to three hospitals in a Midwest metropolitan area. Distrust was assessed using the Revised Health Care System Distrust Scale. A single item asked the surrogate which code status they thought was best for the patient, full code or do not resuscitate.

Results

We enrolled 350 patient/surrogate dyads (101 black; 249 white). In bivariate analysis, higher proportion of black surrogates preferred full code (62.4% vs. 38.3%, p=0.0001). After adjusting for trust and sociodemographic and psychological covariates, race was still significantly associated with preference for full code (adjusted odds ratio=2.13; 95% confidence interval: 1.16-3.92; p=0.0153). Surrogate race was not associated with distrust in bivariate or multivariable analysis, adjusting for sociodemographic and psychological covariates (p=0.3049).

Conclusion

Although black race was associated with preferences for full code status, we observed no association between race and distrust. Differences in code status preference may be due to other factors related to race and culture. To ensure that patients are receiving EOL care that is consistent with their values, more work is needed to understand the cultural complexities behind EOL care preferences.

Spiritual Care Assessment and Intervention (SCAI) for Adult Outpatients With Advanced Cancer and Caregivers: A Pilot Trial to Assess Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Effects

BACKGROUND

Although religion and spirituality are important to adults with cancer and their family caregivers, few studies have tested spiritual care interventions in the outpatient setting.

AIM

To determine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of chaplain-delivered, semi-structured spiritual care to adult outpatients with advanced cancer and their caregivers.

DESIGN

In this pre/post pilot intervention study, board-certified chaplains utilized the Spiritual Care Assessment and Intervention (SCAI) framework during 4 individual sessions. Surveys at baseline and at 1, 6, and 12 weeks post-intervention assessed spiritual well-being, quality of life, depression, anxiety, and religious coping.

SETTING/PARTICIPANTS

We enrolled U.S. adult outpatients with or without an eligible family caregiver. Eligible patients were at least 18 years old and at least 2 weeks post-diagnosis of incurable and advanced-stage lung or gastrointestinal (GI) cancer.

RESULTS

Of 82 eligible patients, 24 enrolled (29.3%); of 22 eligible caregivers, 18 enrolled (81.8%). Four planned chaplain visits were completed by 87.5% of patients and 77.8% of caregivers. All enrolled participants completed baseline surveys, and more than 75% completed follow-up surveys at 2 of 3 time points. More than 80% of patients and caregivers reported they would recommend the sessions to a friend or family member. Patients' spiritual well-being improved significantly at all timepoints compared to baseline: 1-week post (p < .006), 6-weeks post (p < .001), and 12-weeks post (p < .004).

CONCLUSIONS

Spiritual care through SCAI is feasible, acceptable, and shows promise in improving spiritual well-being and other important outcomes in advanced-stage cancer patients and family caregivers. Further investigation is warranted.

Assessment of Discordance Between Surrogate Care Goals and Medical Treatment Provided to Older Adults With Serious Illness

IMPORTANCE

An important aspect of high-quality care is ensuring that treatments are in alignment with patient or surrogate decision-maker goals. Treatment discordant with patient goals has been shown to increase medical costs and prolong end-of-life difficulties.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate discordance between surrogate decision-maker goals of care and medical orders and treatments provided to hospitalized, incapacitated older patients.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This prospective cohort study included 363 patient-surrogate dyads. Patients were 65 years or older and faced at least 1 major medical decision in the medical and medical intensive care unit services in 3 tertiary care hospitals in an urban Midwestern area. Data were collected from April 27, 2012, through July 10, 2015, and analyzed from October 5, 2018, to December 5, 2019.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Each surrogate's preferred goal of care was determined via interview during initial hospitalization and 6 to 8 weeks after discharge. Surrogates were asked to select the goal of care for the patient from 3 options: comfort-focused care, life-sustaining treatment, or an intermediate option. To assess discordance, the preferred goal of care as determined by the surrogate was compared with data from medical record review outlining the medical treatment received during the target hospitalization.

RESULTS

A total of 363 dyads consisting of patients (223 women [61.4%]; mean [SD] age, 81.8 [8.3] years) and their surrogates (257 women [70.8%]; mean [SD] age, 58.3 [11.2] years) were included in the analysis. One hundred sixty-nine patients (46.6%) received at least 1 medical treatment discordant from their surrogate's identified goals of care. The most common type of discordance involved full-code orders for patients with a goal of comfort (n = 41) or an intermediate option (n = 93). More frequent in-person contact between surrogate and patient (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.43; 95% CI, 0.23-0.82), patient residence in an institution (AOR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.23-0.82), and surrogate-rated quality of communication (AOR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.96-0.99) were associated with lower discordance. Surrogate marital status (AOR for single vs married, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.01-3.66), number of family members involved in decisions (AOR for ≥2 vs 0-1, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.05-3.21), and religious affiliation (AOR for none vs any, 4.87; 95% CI, 1.12-21.09) were associated with higher discordance.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

This study found that discordance between surrogate goals of care and medical treatments for hospitalized, incapacitated patients was common. Communication quality is a modifiable factor associated with discordance that may be an avenue for future interventions.

Factors Associated with Physician Moral Distress Caring for Hospitalized Elderly Patients Needing a Surrogate Decision-maker: a Prospective Study

BACKGROUND

When working with surrogate decision-makers, physicians often encounter ethical challenges that may cause moral distress which can have negative consequences for physicians.

OBJECTIVE

To determine frequency of and factors associated with physicians' moral distress caring for patients requiring a surrogate.

DESIGN

Prospective survey.

PARTICIPANTS

Physicians (n = 154) caring for patients aged 65 years and older and their surrogate decision-makers (n = 362 patient/surrogate dyads). Patients were admitted to medicine or medical intensive care services, lacked decisional capacity and had an identified surrogate.

MAIN MEASURES

Moral distress thermometer.

KEY RESULTS

Physicians experienced moral distress in the care of 152 of 362 patients (42.0%). In analyses adjusted for physician, patient, and surrogate characteristics, physician/surrogate discordance in preferences for the plan of care was not significantly associated with moral distress. Physicians were more likely to experience moral distress when caring for older patients (1.06, 1.02-1.10), and facing a decision about life-sustaining treatment (3.58, 1.54-8.32). Physicians were less likely to experience moral distress when caring for patients residing in a nursing home (0.40, 0.23-0.69), patients who previously discussed care preferences (0.56, 0.35-0.90), and higher surrogate ratings of emotional support from clinicians (0.94, 0.89-0.99). Physicians' internal discordance when they prefer a more comfort-focused plan than the patient is receiving was associated with significantly higher moral distress (2.22, 1.33-3.70) after adjusting for patient, surrogate, and physician characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

Physician moral distress occurs more frequently when the physician is male, the patient is older or requires decisions about life-sustaining treatments. These findings may help target interventions to support physicians. Prior discussions about patient wishes is associated with lower distress and may be a target for patient-centered interventions.

The Association of Surrogate Decision Makers' Religious and Spiritual Beliefs With End-of-Life Decisions

CONTEXT

Although religion and spirituality are important to surrogate decision makers, little is known about the role of religion in decision making regarding life-sustaining treatments.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the relationships between dimensions of religion and spirituality and medical treatment decisions made by surrogates.

METHODS

This prospective observational study enrolled patient/surrogate dyads from three hospitals in one metropolitan area. Eligible patients were 65 years or older and admitted to the medicine or medical intensive care services. Baseline surveys between hospital days 2 and 10 assessed seven dimensions of religion and spirituality. Chart reviews of the electronic medical record and regional health information exchange six months after enrollment identified the use of life-sustaining treatments and hospice for patients who died.

RESULTS

There were 291 patient/surrogate dyads. When adjusting for other religious dimensions, demographic, and illness factors, only surrogates' belief in miracles was significantly associated with a lower surrogate preference for do-not-resuscitate status (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.39; 95% CI 0.19, 0.78). Among patients who died, higher surrogate intrinsic religiosity was associated with lower patient receipt of life-sustaining treatments within the last 30 days (aOR 0.66; 95% CI 0.45, 0.97). Belief in miracles (aOR 0.30; 95% CI 0.10, 0.96) and higher intrinsic religiosity (aOR 0.70; 95% CI 0.53, 0.93) were associated with lower hospice utilization.

CONCLUSION

Few religious variables are associated with end-of-life preferences or treatment. Belief in miracles and intrinsic religiosity may affect treatment and should be identified and explored with surrogates by trained chaplains or other clinicians with appropriate training.

Communication Quality Predicts Psychological Well-Being and Satisfaction in Family Surrogates of Hospitalized Older Adults: An Observational Study

BACKGROUND

Many hospitalized older adults require family surrogates to make decisions, but surrogates may perceive that the quality of medical decisions is low and may have poor psychological outcomes after the patient's hospitalization.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the relationship between communication quality and high-quality medical decisions, psychological well-being, and satisfaction for surrogates of hospitalized older adults.

DESIGN

Observational study at three hospitals in a Midwest metropolitan area.

PARTICIPANTS

Hospitalized older adults (65+ years) admitted to medicine and medical intensive care units who were unable to make medical decisions, and their family surrogates. Among 799 eligible dyads, 364 (45.6%) completed the study.

MAIN MEASURES

Communication was assessed during hospitalization using the information and emotional support subscales of the Family Inpatient Communication Survey. Decision quality was assessed with the Decisional Conflict Scale. Outcomes assessed at baseline and 4-6 weeks post-discharge included anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), post-traumatic stress (Impact of Event Scale-Revised), and satisfaction (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems).

KEY RESULTS

The mean patient age was 81.9 years (SD 8.32); 62% were women, and 28% African American. Among surrogates, 67% were adult children. Six to eight weeks post-discharge, 22.6% of surrogates reported anxiety (11.3% moderate-severe anxiety); 29% reported depression, (14.0% moderate-severe), and 14.6% had high levels of post-traumatic stress. Emotional support was associated with lower odds of anxiety (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.65, 95% CI 0.50, 0.85) and depression (AOR = 0.80, 95% CI 0.65, 0.99) at follow-up. In multivariable linear regression, emotional support was associated with lower post-traumatic stress (β = -0.30, p = 0.003) and higher decision quality (β = -0.44, p < 0.0001). Information was associated with higher post-traumatic stress (β = 0.23, p = 0.022) but also higher satisfaction (β = 0.61, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Emotional support of hospital surrogates is consistently associated with better psychological outcomes and decision quality, suggesting an opportunity to improve decision making and well-being.

Validation of the Family Inpatient Communication Survey

CONTEXT

Although many family members who make surrogate decisions report problems with communication, there is no validated instrument to accurately measure surrogate/clinician communication for older adults in the acute hospital setting.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to validate a survey of surrogate-rated communication quality in the hospital that would be useful to clinicians, researchers, and health systems.

METHODS

After expert review and cognitive interviewing (n = 10 surrogates), we enrolled 350 surrogates (250 development sample and 100 validation sample) of hospitalized adults aged 65 years and older from three hospitals in one metropolitan area. The communication survey and a measure of decision quality were administered within hospital days 3 and 10. Mental health and satisfaction measures were administered six to eight weeks later.

RESULTS

Factor analysis showed support for both one-factor (Total Communication) and two-factor models (Information and Emotional Support). Item reduction led to a final 30-item scale. For the validation sample, internal reliability (Cronbach's alpha) was 0.96 (total), 0.94 (Information), and 0.90 (Emotional Support). Confirmatory factor analysis fit statistics were adequate (one-factor model, comparative fit index = 0.981, root mean square error of approximation = 0.62, weighted root mean square residual = 1.011; two-factor model comparative fit index = 0.984, root mean square error of approximation = 0.055, weighted root mean square residual = 0.930). Total score and subscales showed significant associations with the Decision Conflict Scale (Pearson correlation -0.43, P < 0.001 for total score). Emotional Support was associated with improved mental health outcomes at six to eight weeks, such as anxiety (-0.19 P < 0.001), and Information was associated with satisfaction with the hospital stay (0.49, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The survey shows high reliability and validity in measuring communication experiences for hospital surrogates. The scale has promise for measurement of communication quality and is predictive of important outcomes, such as surrogate satisfaction and well-being.

The Family Navigator: A Pilot Intervention to Support Intensive Care Unit Family Surrogates

BACKGROUND

Communication problems between family surrogates and intensive care unit (ICU) clinicians have been documented, but few interventions are effective. Nurses have the potential to play an expanded role in ICU communication and decision making.

OBJECTIVES

To conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial of the family navigator (FN), a distinct nursing role to address family members' unmet communication needs early in an ICU stay.

METHODS

An interprofessional team developed the FN protocol. A randomized controlled pilot intervention trial of the FN was performed in a tertiary referral hospital's ICU to test the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention. The intervention addressed informational and emotional communication needs through daily contact by using structured clinical updates, emotional and informational support modules, family meeting support, and follow-up phone calls.

RESULTS

Twenty-six surrogate/patient pairs (13 per study arm) were enrolled. Surrogates randomized to the intervention had contact with the FN on 90% or more of eligible patient days. All surrogates agreed that they would recom mend the FN to other families. Open-ended comments from both surrogates and clinicians were uniformly positive.

CONCLUSIONS

Having a fully integrated nurse empowered to facilitate decision making is a feasible intervention in an ICU and is well-received by ICU families and staff. A larger randomized controlled trial is needed to demonstrate impact on important outcomes, such as surrogates' well-being and decision quality.