scholarly journals 307 - Exploratory Study on Healthcare Decision-Making Capacity Assessment

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (S1) ◽  
pp. 65-65
Author(s):  
Ana Saraiva Amaral ◽  
Rosa Marina Afonso ◽  
Mário R. Simões ◽  
Sandra Freitas

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) prevalence is expected to continue to increase, due to the population ageing. MCI and AD may impact patients’ decision-making capacities, which should be assessed through the disease course. These medical conditions can affect the various areas of decision-making capacity in different ways. Decision-making capacity in healthcare is particularly relevant among this population. Elders often suffer from multimorbidity and are frequently asked to make healthcare decisions, which can vary from consenting a routine diagnostic procedure to decide receiving highly risk treatments.To assess this capacity in elders with MCI or AD, we developed the Healthcare Decision-Making Capacity Assessment Instrument (IACTD-CS - Instrumento de Avaliação da Capacidade de Tomada de Decisão em Cuidados de Saúde). This project is funded by Portuguese national funding agency for science, research and technology, FCT (SFRH/BD/139344/2018). IACTD-CS was developed based on Appelbaum and Grisso four abilities model, literature review and review of international assessment instruments. After IACTD-CS first version development, an exploratory study with focus groups was conducted. This study included focus groups with healthcare professionals and nursing homes’ professionals.The focus groups main goals were: 1) understand the participants perception regarding healthcare decision-making capacity, 2) distinguish relevant aspects of decision-making, 3) discuss the abilities and items included in IACTD-CS and 4) identify new aspects or items to be added to IACTD-CS. A content analysis of the focus groups results, with resource to MAXQDA, was conducted afterwards. This exploratory study allowed to identify professionals’ perceptions on healthcare decision-making and its results were a significant contribute to IACTD-CS development. The proposed communication aims to describe the methodology used and present the results of content analysis.

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 1260-1260
Author(s):  
A Mejia ◽  
G D Smith ◽  
R E Curiel ◽  
W Barker ◽  
R Behar ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective Little is known regarding the values that patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) incorporate into healthcare decision-making or how culture may affect such values. Even if values overlap across cultures, cultural groups may emphasize the importance of specific values differently since values emanate, at least in part, from cultural and life-long learning. The aim of this study was to explore and compare values that older adults of different ethnicities and cognitive statuses incorporate in their medical decisions. Participants and Method Four focus groups were established by identifying older adults as, a) Hispanic or non-Hispanic, and with b) normal cognition or MCI. Participants were recruited from the 1Florida Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed using a professional transcription service. Results There were a total of 23 participants (Age: M = 70.9, SD = 6.4). MCI groups had briefer discussions (Time M = 44 minutes) than the normal cognition groups (Time M = 62 minutes). Qualitative analysis of discussions was used to explore the values identified across the focus groups. The MCI groups valued spirituality, doctor recommendations, and family involvement when facing medical decisions. Normal cognition groups valued the necessity of proactive involvement as healthcare consumers and the relationship between the quality of patient-clinician interaction and their health care related decisions. Cultural themes involving perceptions of gender and generational differences emerged from the Hispanic normal cognition group. Conclusions This study identified many determinants influencing the medical decision-making process of diverse older adults: including past experiences, family involvement, healthcare barriers, and cultural background. These results have the potential to impact patient-clinician discussions, decisions made by surrogates, and the development of decision aids with a broader range of relevant patient values.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul-Aziz Seidu ◽  
Joseph Kojo Oduro ◽  
Bright Opoku Ahinkorah ◽  
Eugene Budu ◽  
Francis Appiah ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Global commitment to stop Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and ensure access to HIV treatment calls for women empowerment, as these efforts play major roles in mother-to-child transmission. We examined the association between women’s healthcare decision-making capacity and uptake of HIV testing in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods We used data from the current Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) of 28 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, conducted between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2018. At the descriptive level, we calculated the prevalence of HIV testing in each of the countries. This was followed by the distribution of HIV testing across the socio-demographic characteristics of women. Finally, we used binary logistic regression assess the likelihood of HIV testing uptake by women’s health care decision-making capacity and socio-demographic characteristics. The results were presented as Crude Odds Ratios (COR) and Adjusted Odds Ratios (AOR) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals signifying precision. Statistical significance was set at p-value < 0.05. Results We found that prevalence of HIV testing uptake in the 28 sub-Saharan African countries was 64.4%, with Congo DR having the least (20.2%) and the highest occurred in Rwanda (97.4%). Women who took healthcare decisions alone [COR = 3.183, CI = 2.880–3.519] or with their partners [COR = 2.577, CI = 2.335–2.844] were more likely to test for HIV, compared to those whose healthcare decisions were taken by others, and this persisted after controlling for significant covariates: [AOR = 1.507, CI = 1.321–1.720] and [AOR = 1.518, CI = 1.334–1.728] respectively. Conclusion Sub-Saharan African countries intending to improve HIV testing need to incorporate women’s healthcare decision-making capacity strategies. These strategies can include education and counselling. This is essential because our study indicates that the capacity of women to make healthcare decisions has an association with decision to test for their HIV status.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul-Aziz Seidu ◽  
Joseph Kojo Oduro ◽  
Bright Opoku Ahinkorah ◽  
Eugene Budu ◽  
Francis Appiah ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Global commitment to stop Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and ensure access to HIV treatment calls for women empowerment, as these efforts play major roles in mother-to-child transmission. We explored the association between women’s healthcare decision-making capacity and HIV testing in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Methods We used data from the current Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2018 in 28 countries in SSA. At the descriptive level, we calculated the prevalence of HIV testing in each of the countries. This was followed by the distribution of HIV testing across the socio-demographic characteristics of women. Finally, we used binary logistic regression to explore the likelihood of HIV testing by women’s health care decision-making capacity and socio-demographic characteristics. The results were presented as Crude Odds Ratios (COR) and Adjusted Odds Ratios (AOR) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals signifying precision. Statistical significance was set at p-value <0.05. Results We found that prevalence of HIV testing in the 28 SSA countries was 64.4%, with Congo DR having the least (20.2%) and the highest occurred in Rwanda (97.4%). Women who took healthcare decisions alone [COR=3.183, CI=2.880-3.519] or with their partners [COR=2.577, CI=2.335-2.844] were more likely to test for HIV, compared to those whose healthcare decisions were taken by others, and this persisted after controlling for significant covariates: [AOR=1.507, CI=1.321-1.720] and [AOR=1.518, CI=1.334-1.728] respectively. Conclusion SSA countries intending to improve HIV testing need to incorporate women’s healthcare decision-making capacity strategies. These strategies can include education and counselling. This is essential because our study indicates that the capacity of women to make healthcare decisions has an association with their decision to test for their HIV status.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul-Aziz Seidu ◽  
Joseph Kojo Oduro ◽  
Bright Opoku Ahinkorah ◽  
Eugene Budu ◽  
Francis Appiah ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Global commitment to stop Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and ensure access to HIV treatment calls for women empowerment as these efforts play major roles in mother-to-child transmission. We explored the association between women’s healthcare decision-making capacity and HIV testing in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Methods We used data from the current Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2018 in 28 countries in SSA. At the descriptive level, we calculated the prevalence of HIV testing in each of the countries. This was followed by the distribution of HIV testing across the socio-demographic characteristics of women. Finally, we used binary logistic regression to explore the likelihood of HIV testing by women’s health care decision-making capacity and socio-demographic characteristics. The results were presented as Crude Odds Ratios (COR) and Adjusted Odds Ratios(AOR) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals signifying precision. Statistical significance was set at p-value <0.05. Results We found that prevalence of HIV testing in the 28 SSA countries was 64.4%, with Congo DR having the least (20.2%) and the highest occurred in Rwanda (97.4%). Women who took healthcare-decisions alone [COR=3.183, CI=2.880-3.519] or with their partners [COR=2.577, CI=2.335-2.844] were more likely to test for HIV compared to those whose healthcare-decisions were taken by others and this persisted after controlling for significant covariates [AOR=1.507, CI=1.321-1.720] and [AOR=1.518, CI=1.334-1.728], respectively. Conclusion SSA countries intending to improve HIV testing need to incorporate women’s healthcare decision-making capacity strategies. These strategies can include education and counselling. This is essential because our study indicates that the capacity of women to make healthcare decisions has an association with their decision to test for their HIV status.


2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-35
Author(s):  
Lesley Charles ◽  
Jacqueline MI Torti ◽  
Suzette Brémault-Phillips ◽  
Bonnie Dobbs ◽  
Peter GJ Tian ◽  
...  

Background With an ageing population, the incidence of dementia will in­crease, as will the number of persons requiring decision-making capacity assessments. For over 10 years, we have trained family physicians in conducting decision-making capacity assessments. Physician feedback post-training, however, has highlighted the need to integrate the decision-making capacity assessment process into the primary care context. The purpose of this study was to develop a decision-making capacity as­sessment clinical pathway for implementation in primary care. Methods A qualitative exploratory case-study design was used to ob­tain participants’ perspectives regarding the utility of a visual algorithm detailing a decision-making capacity assessment clinical pathway for use in primary care. Three focus groups were conducted with family physicians (n=4) and allied health professionals (n=6) in two primary care clinics in Alberta. A revised algorithm was developed based on their feedback. Results In the focus groups, participants identified inconsistencies and a lack of standardization regarding decision-making capacity assessments within primary care, and provided feedback regarding a decision-making capacity assessment clinical pathway to make it more applicable to primary care. Participants described this pathway as appealing and straight­forward; they also made suggestions to make it more primary care-centric. Participants indicated that the presented pathway would improve teamwork and standardization of decision-making capacity assessments within primary care. Conclusions Use of a decision-making capacity assessment clinical path­way has the potential to standardize decision-making capacity assessment processes in primary care, and support least in­trusive and least restrictive patient outcomes for community-dwelling older adults.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 384-384
Author(s):  
Hyejin Kim ◽  
Molly Perkins ◽  
Thaddeus Pope ◽  
Patricia Comer ◽  
Mi-Kyung Song

Abstract ‘Unbefriended’ adults are those who lack decision-making capacity and have no surrogates or advance care plans. Little data exist on nursing homes (NHs)’ healthcare decision-making practices for unbefriended residents. This study aimed to describe NH staff’s perceptions of healthcare decision making on behalf of unbefriended residents. Sixty-six staff including administrators, physicians, nurses, and social workers from three NHs in one geographic area of Georgia, USA participated in a 31-item survey. Their responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and conventional content analysis. Of 66 participants, eleven had been involved in healthcare decision-making for unbefriended residents. The most common decision was do-not-resuscitate orders. Decisions primarily were made by relying on the resident’s primary care physician and/or discussing within a facility interdisciplinary team. Key considerations in the decision-making process included “evidence that the resident would not have wanted further treatment” and the perception that “further treatment would not be in the resident’s best interest”. Compared with decision making for residents with surrogates, participants perceived decision making for unbefriended residents to be equally-more difficult. Key barriers to making decisions included uncertainty regarding what the resident would have wanted in the given situation and concerns regarding the ethically and legally right course of action. Facilitators (reported by 52 participants) included some information/knowledge about the resident, an understanding regarding decision-making-related law/policy, and facility-level support. The findings highlight the complexity and difficulty of healthcare decision making for unbefriended residents and suggest more discussions among all key stakeholders to develop practical strategies to support decision-making practices in NHs.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivek C. Pandrangi ◽  
Nyssa Fox Farrell ◽  
Jess C. Mace ◽  
Kara Y. Detwiller ◽  
Timothy L. Smith ◽  
...  

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document