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Cardona M, Lewis ET, Bannach-Brown A, Ip G, Tan J, Koreshe E, Head J, Lee JJ, Rangel S, Bublitz L, Forbes C, Murray A, Marechal-Ross I, Bathla N, Kusnadi R, Brown PG, Alkhouri H, Ticehurst M, Lovell NH. Development and preliminary usability testing of an electronic conversation guide incorporating patient values and prognostic information in preparation for older people's decision-making near the end of life. Internet Interv 2023; 33:100643. [PMID: 37521519 PMCID: PMC10382674 DOI: 10.1016/j.invent.2023.100643] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Initiating end-of-life conversations can be daunting for clinicians and overwhelming for patients and families. This leads to delays in communicating prognosis and preparing for the inevitable in old age, often generating potentially harmful overtreatment and poor-quality deaths. We aimed to develop an electronic resource, called Communicating Health Alternatives Tool (CHAT) that was compatible with hospital medical records software to facilitate preparation for shared decision-making across health settings with older adults deemed to be in the last year of life. The project used mixed methods including: literature review, user-directed specifications, web-based interface development with authentication and authorization; clinician and consumer co-design, iterative consultation for user testing; and ongoing developer integration of user feedback. An internet-based conversation guide to facilitate clinician-led advance care planning was co-developed covering screening for short-term risk of death, patient values and preferences, and treatment choices for chronic kidney disease and dementia. Printed summary of such discussion could be used to begin the process in hospital or community health services. Clinicians, patients, and caregivers agreed with its ease of use and were generally accepting of its contents and format. CHAT is available to health services for implementation in effectiveness trials to determine whether the interaction and documentation leads to formal decision-making, goal-concordant care, and subsequent reduction of unwanted treatments at the end of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnolia Cardona
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Robina, Australia
- Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Professorial Unit, Southport, Australia
| | - Ebony T. Lewis
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Alex Bannach-Brown
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Robina, Australia
| | - Genevieve Ip
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Janice Tan
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Eyza Koreshe
- InsideOut Institute, Faculty of Medicine & Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Joshua Head
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jin Jie Lee
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Shirley Rangel
- Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Professorial Unit, Southport, Australia
| | - Lorraine Bublitz
- Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Professorial Unit, Southport, Australia
| | - Connor Forbes
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Robina, Australia
| | - Amanda Murray
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Robina, Australia
| | - Isabella Marechal-Ross
- Northern Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nikita Bathla
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ruth Kusnadi
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Peter G. Brown
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Hatem Alkhouri
- Agency for Clinical Innovation, Emergency Care Institute, Chatswood, Australia
| | - Maree Ticehurst
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Mark Moran Aged Care, Little Bay, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nigel H. Lovell
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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Lewis ET, Williamson M, Lewis LP, Ní Chróinín D, Dent E, Ticehurst M, Peters R, Macniven R, Cardona M. The Feasibility of Deriving the Electronic Frailty Index from Australian General Practice Records. Clin Interv Aging 2022; 17:1589-1598. [PMID: 36353269 PMCID: PMC9639370 DOI: 10.2147/cia.s384691] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Frailty is a prevalent condition in older adults. Identification of frailty using an electronic Frailty Index (eFI) has been successfully implemented across general practices in the United Kingdom. However, in Australia, the eFI remains understudied. Therefore, we aimed to (i) examine the feasibility of deriving an eFI from Australian general practice records and (ii) describe the prevalence of frailty as measured by the eFI and the prevalence with socioeconomic status and geographic remoteness. Participants and Methods This retrospective analysis included patients (≥70 years) attending any one of >700 general practices utilizing the Australian MedicineInsight data platform, 2017–2018. A 36-item eFI was derived using standard methodology, with frailty classified as mild (scores 0.13–0.24); moderate (0.25–0.36) or severe (≥0.37). Socioeconomic status (Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) index)) and geographic remoteness (Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGC) remoteness areas) were also examined. Results In total, 79,251 patients (56% female) were included, mean age 80.0 years (SD 6.5); 37.4% (95% CI 37.0–37.7) were mildly frail, 16.7% (95% CI 16.4–16.9) moderately frail, 4.8% (95% CI 4.7–5.0) severely frail. Median eFI score was 0.14 (IQR 0.08 to 0.22); maximum eFI score was 0.69. Across all age groups, moderate and severe frailty was significantly more prevalent in females (P < 0.001). Frailty severity increased with increasing age (P < 0.001) and was strongly associated with socioeconomic disadvantage (P < 0.001) but not with geographic remoteness. Conclusion Frailty was identifiable from routinely collected general practice data. Frailty was more prevalent in socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, women and older patients and existed in all levels of remoteness. Routine implementation of an eFI could inform interventions to prevent or reduce frailty in all older adults, regardless of location.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebony T Lewis
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Correspondence: Ebony T Lewis, School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of New South Wales, Level 3, Samuels Building, Gate 11, Botany Street, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia, Tel +612 9065 2068, Email
| | - Margaret Williamson
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Lou P Lewis
- Matraville Medical Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Danielle Ní Chróinín
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Elsa Dent
- Torrens University Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Maree Ticehurst
- Matraville Medical Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ruth Peters
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rona Macniven
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Magnolia Cardona
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
- Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
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Lewis ET, Hammill KA, Ticehurst M, Turner RM, Greenaway S, Hillman K, Carlini J, Cardona M. How Do Patients with Life-Limiting Illness and Caregivers Want End-Of-Life Prognostic Information Delivered? A Pilot Study. Healthcare (Basel) 2021; 9:healthcare9070784. [PMID: 34206435 PMCID: PMC8303293 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9070784] [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] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We aimed to identify the level of prognostic disclosure, type of prognostic information and delivery format of prognostic communication that older adults diagnosed with a life-limiting illness or caregivers prefer to receive. We developed and pilot tested an open-ended survey to 15 older patients and caregivers who had experience in health services for life-limiting illness either for a relative, friend or themselves. Five hypothetical clinical scenarios of prognostic options were presented to ascertain preferences. The preferred format to receive prognostic information was verbal delivery by the clinician with a written summary. Photos and videos were less favoured, and a table with numbers/percentages was least preferred. Distress levels to the prognostic scenarios were low, with the exception of a photo. We conclude that older patients/caregivers want end-of-life prognostic information delivered the traditional way, verbally by clinicians. Options to deliver prognostic information may vary across patient groups but empower clinicians in introducing end-of-life discussions with patients/caregivers. Our study illustrates the feasibility of involving terminal patients and caregivers in research that contributes to eliciting prognostic preferences. Further research is needed to understand whether the prognostic preferences of hospitalized patients with life-limiting illness differ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebony T. Lewis
- School of Population Health, The University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia
- School of Psychology, The University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia
- Correspondence:
| | - Kathrine A. Hammill
- School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown 2560, Australia;
| | - Maree Ticehurst
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Liverpool 2170, Australia; (M.T.); (K.H.)
| | - Robin M. Turner
- Biostatistics Unit, Otago Medical School, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand;
| | - Sally Greenaway
- Supportive and Palliative Medicine, Westmead Hospital, Westmead 2145, Australia;
| | - Ken Hillman
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Liverpool 2170, Australia; (M.T.); (K.H.)
- Intensive Care Unit, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool 2170, Australia
| | - Joan Carlini
- Department of Marketing, Griffith University, Southport 4222, Australia;
| | - Magnolia Cardona
- Institute for Evidence Based Healthcare, Bond University, Robina 4226, Australia;
- EBP Professorial Unit, Gold Coast University Hospital, Southport 4215, Australia
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Lewis ET, Dent E, Alkhouri H, Kellett J, Williamson M, Asha S, Holdgate A, Mackenzie J, Winoto L, Fajardo-Pulido D, Ticehurst M, Hillman K, McCarthy S, Elcombe E, Rogers K, Cardona M. Which frailty scale for patients admitted via Emergency Department? A cohort study. Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2018; 80:104-114. [PMID: 30448693 DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2018.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [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: 07/20/2018] [Revised: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence of frailty in Emergency Departments (EDs); examine the ability of frailty to predict poor outcomes post-discharge; and identify the most appropriate instrument for routine ED use. METHODS In this prospective study we simultaneously assessed adults 65+yrs admitted and/or spent one night in the ED using Fried, the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), and SUHB (Stable, Unstable, Help to walk, Bedbound) scales in four Australian EDs for rapid recognition of frailty between June 2015 and March 2016. RESULTS 899 adults with complete follow-up data (mean (SD) age 80.0 (8.3) years; female 51.4%) were screened for frailty. Although different scales yielded vastly different frailty prevalence (SUHB 9.7%, Fried 30.4%, CFS 43.7%), predictive discrimination of poor discharge outcomes (death, poor self-reported health/quality of life, need for community services post-discharge, or reattendance to ED after the index hospitalization) for all identical final models was equivalent across all scales (AUROC 0.735 for Fried, 0.730 for CFS and 0.720 for SUHB). CONCLUSION This study confirms that screening for frailty in older ED patients can inform prognosis and target discharge planning including community services required. The CFS was as accurate as the Fried and SUHB in predicting poor outcomes, but more practical for use in busy clinical environments with lower level of disruption. Given the limitations of objectively measuring frailty parameters, self-report and clinical judgment can reliably substitute the assessment in EDs. We propose that in a busy ED environment, frailty scores could be used as a red flag for poor follow-up outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebony T Lewis
- The University of New South Wales, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Gate 11, Botany Street, Randwick, NSW, 2052, Australia.
| | - Elsa Dent
- Torrens University Australia, 220 Victoria Square, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia; Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, 75 Commercial Rd, Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia.
| | - Hatem Alkhouri
- Agency for Clinical Innovation, Emergency Care Institute, PO Box 699, Chatswood, NSW, 2057, Australia; The University of New South Wales, Faculty of Medicine, High St, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - John Kellett
- Hospital of South West Jutland, Department of Emergency Medicine, Esbjerg, Denmark.
| | - Margaret Williamson
- The University of New South Wales, The Simpson Centre for Health Services Research, South Western Sydney Clinical School, 1 Campbell Street, Liverpool, NSW, 2170, Australia.
| | - Stephen Asha
- St George Hospital Emergency Department, Gray St, Kogarah, Sydney, NSW, 2217, Australia.
| | - Anna Holdgate
- Liverpool Hospital Emergency Department, Corner of Elizabeth and Goulburn Streets, Liverpool, Sydney, NSW, 2170, Australia.
| | - John Mackenzie
- Prince of Wales Hospital Emergency Department, Barker St, Randwick, Sydney, NSW, 2031, Australia.
| | - Luis Winoto
- Sutherland Hospital Emergency Department, The Kingsway, Caringbah, Sydney, NSW, 2229, Australia.
| | - Diana Fajardo-Pulido
- The University of New South Wales, The Simpson Centre for Health Services Research, South Western Sydney Clinical School, 1 Campbell Street, Liverpool, NSW, 2170, Australia.
| | - Maree Ticehurst
- The University of New South Wales, The Simpson Centre for Health Services Research, South Western Sydney Clinical School, 1 Campbell Street, Liverpool, NSW, 2170, Australia.
| | - Ken Hillman
- The University of New South Wales, The Simpson Centre for Health Services Research, South Western Sydney Clinical School, 1 Campbell Street, Liverpool, NSW, 2170, Australia; Liverpool Hospital Intensive Care Unit, Corner of Elizabeth and Goulburn Streets, Liverpool, NSW, 2170, Australia.
| | - Sally McCarthy
- Prince of Wales Hospital Emergency Department, Barker St, Randwick, Sydney, NSW, 2031, Australia.
| | - Emma Elcombe
- The Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Western Sydney University, 1 Campbell St, Liverpool, NSW, 2170, Australia.
| | - Kris Rogers
- The George Institute for Global Health, Level 5, 1 King Street, Newtown, NSW, 2042, Australia.
| | - Magnolia Cardona
- Centre for Research in Evidence-Based Practice, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, 14 University Drive, Robina, QLD, 4226, Australia; Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, 1 Hospital Blvd, Southport, QLD, 4215, Australia.
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Chikhalia V, Forbes RT, Storey RA, Ticehurst M. The effect of crystal morphology and mill type on milling induced crystal disorder. Eur J Pharm Sci 2006; 27:19-26. [PMID: 16246535 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2005.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2004] [Revised: 07/27/2005] [Accepted: 08/04/2005] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Milling is a key process in the preparation of many solid dosage forms. One possible milling induced change is the production of small levels of disorder or amorphous material found predominantly at the surface of a powder, which could lead to significant chemical and physical instability. The influence of crystal habit on this change was investigated using beta-succinic acid, in plate like and needle like morphologies. beta-Succinic acid crystals with these habits were processed in a ball mill and a jet mill. SEM images indicated jet milled material was finer than the ball milled product. Powder X-ray diffraction of the milled powders revealed an amorphous halo at lower angles and peak broadening suggesting disorder though this could not be quantified accurately. In addition, a partial conversion during milling to the alpha form was noted. Quantitation of the alpha form in the milled powders indicated it was present at <2% (w/w). Plate and needle shaped particles had similar heats of solution pre-milling, however, all milled powders had lower heats of solution compared to the unmilled powers. The contribution of the alpha polymorph to the lower heats of solution was calculated to be insignificant. Therefore, the reduced heat of solution is attributed to a loss in crystallinity. The largest decreases were seen in the plate like morphology. These findings suggest that beta-succinic acid crystals with plate like morphology are more prone to crystallinity loss on milling compared to the needle like morphology. The mill type has also been shown to influence the final crystallinity.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Chikhalia
- Drug Delivery Group, School of Pharmacy, University of Bradford, Bradford BD7 1DP, UK
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