scholarly journals Multilevel model of stigma and barriers to cancer palliative care in India: a qualitative study

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. e024248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Harding ◽  
Shoba Nair ◽  
Maria Ekstrand
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Theoretical Model ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Complex Interventions ◽  
Management Service ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Tertiary Teaching

IntroductionPalliative care coverage and opioid consumption in India are relatively low compared with global data. The literature suggests commonplace concealment and collusion in withholding information, but these hypotheses lack evidence.ObjectivesThis study aimed to develop an explanatory evidence-based model of stigma, communication and access to cancer palliative care in India that can be used to develop, test and implement future interventions.DesignThis cross-sectional qualitative study sampled advanced cancer patients (n=10), their family caregivers (n=10) and oncologists (n=10). Grounded theory procedures were utilised to analyse transcripts, and a theoretical model generated.SettingA tertiary teaching hospital in South India.ResultsThe model explains how stigma associated with communicating a diagnosis of advanced cancer is enacted by treating oncologists, family members and community. This leads to patient expectations of cure and futile treatment uptake. Patients commonly only present needs with respect to pain, not within psychological, social or spiritual domains, likely due to the lack of patients’ insight into their diagnosis and prognosis. As a result of oncologists’ and families’ unwillingness to disclose the prognosis, and patient focus on pain due to their lack of insight, palliative care clinicians view their services as under-utilised, and patients perceive palliative care as a pain management service that is not ‘different’ from other clinical services. Advanced care needs and purchase of futile treatments lead to lost employment among families, increased family debt and high care costs, which are rarely disclosed due to their unwillingness to discuss their needs.ConclusionOur novel theoretical model is an essential first step to ensure that complex interventions are plausible, with mechanisms of action that address the needs of relevant stakeholders. A family-centred approach with an oncology workforce skilled in communication and an enabled patient population could increase access to palliative care, and improved outcomes may be attainable.

Palliative Referrals in Advanced Cancer Patients: Utilizing the Supportive and Palliative Care Indicators Tool and Rothman Index

2021 ◽  
pp. 104990912110178
Author(s):  
Abigail Sy Chan ◽  
Amit Rout ◽  
Christopher R. D.’Adamo ◽  
Irina Lev ◽  
Amy Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Length Of Hospital Stay ◽  
Inpatient Setting ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Early Palliative Care ◽  
Code Status ◽  
Palliative Care Needs

Background: Timely identification of palliative care needs can reduce hospitalizations and improve quality of life. The Supportive & Palliative Care Indicators Tool (SPICT) identifies patients with advanced medical conditions who may need special care planning. The Rothman Index (RI) detects patients at high risk of acutely decompensating in the inpatient setting. SPICT and RI among cancer patients were utilized in this study to evaluate their potential roles in palliative care referrals. Methods: Advanced cancer patients admitted to an institution in Baltimore, Maryland in 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographics, length of hospital stay (LOS), palliative care referrals, RI scores, and SPICT scores were obtained. Patients were divided into SPICT positive or negative and RI > 60 or RI < 60.Unpaired t-tests and chi-square tests were utilized to determine the associations between SPICT and RI and early palliative care needs and mortality. Results: 227 patients were included, with a mean age of 68 years, 63% Black, 59% female, with the majority having lung and GI malignancies. Sixty percent were SPICT +, 21% had RI < 60. SPICT + patients were more likely to have RI < 60 (p = 0.001). SPICT + and RI < 60 patients were more likely to have longer LOS, change in code status, more palliative/hospice referrals, and increased mortality (p <0.05). Conclusions: SPICT and RI are valuable tools in predicting mortality and palliative/hospice care referrals. These can also be utilized to initiate early palliative and goals of care discussions in patients with advanced cancer.

scholarly journals Palliative Care Needs of Advanced Cancer Patients in the Emergency Department (S767)

2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 693
Author(s):  
Isabelle Marcelin ◽  
Caroline McNaughton ◽  
Nicole Tang ◽  
Jeffrey Caterino ◽  
Corita Grudzen
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Palliative Care Needs

Changes in medication use in a cohort of patients with advanced cancer: The international multicentre prospective European Palliative Care Cancer Symptom study

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 775-785 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristel Paque ◽  
Monique Elseviers ◽  
Robert Vander Stichele ◽  
Koen Pardon ◽  
Marianne J Hjermstad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Cancer Therapy ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Symptom Relief ◽  
Medication Use ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Almost All

Background: Information on medication use in the last months of life is limited. Aim: To describe which medications are prescribed and deprescribed in advanced cancer patients receiving palliative care in relation to time before death and to explore associations with demographic variables. Design: Prospective study, using case report forms for monthly data collection. Medication included cancer treatment and 19 therapeutic groups, grouped into four categories for: (1) cancer therapy, (2) specific cancer-related symptom relief, (3) other symptom relief and (4) long-term prevention. Data were analysed retrospectively using death as the index date. We compared medication use at 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 month(s) before death by constructing five cross-sectional subsamples with medication use during that month. Paired analyses were done on a subsample of patients with at least two assessments before death. Setting/participants: We studied the medication use of 720 patients (mean age 67, 56% male) in 30 cancer centres representing 12 countries. Results: From 5 to 1 month(s) before death, cancer therapy decreased (55%–24%), most medications for symptom relief increased, for example, opioids (62%–81%) and sedatives (35%–46%), but medication for long-term prevention decreased (38%–27%). The prevalence of chemotherapy was 15.5% in the last month of life, with 9% of new courses started in the last 2 months. With higher age, chemotherapy and opioid use decreased. Conclusion: Medications for symptom relief increased in almost all medication groups. Deprescribing was found in heart medication/anti-hypertensives and cancer therapy, although use of the latter remained relatively high.

scholarly journals Stakeholder perspectives and requirements to guide the development of digital technology for palliative cancer services: a multi-country, cross-sectional, qualitative study in Nigeria, Uganda and Zimbabwe

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kennedy Bashan Nkhoma ◽  
Bassey Ebenso ◽  
David Akeju ◽  
Samuel Adejoh ◽  
Michael Bennett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Digital Technology ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Improve Access

Abstract Introduction Coverage of palliative care in low and middle-income countries is very limited, and global projections suggest large increases in need. Novel approaches are needed to achieve the palliative care goals of Universal Health Coverage. This study aimed to identify stakeholders’ data and information needs and the role of digital technologies to improve access to and delivery of palliative care for people with advanced cancer in Nigeria, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Methods We conducted a multi-country cross-sectional qualitative study in sub-Saharan Africa. In-depth qualitative stakeholder interviews were conducted with N = 195 participants across Nigeria, Uganda and Zimbabwe (advanced cancer patients n = 62, informal caregivers n = 48, health care professionals n = 59, policymakers n = 26). Verbatim transcripts were subjected to deductive and inductive framework analysis to identify stakeholders needs and their preferences for digital technology in supporting the capture, transfer and use of patient-level data to improve delivery of palliative care. Results Our coding framework identified four main themes: i) acceptability of digital technology; ii) current context of technology use; iii) current vision for digital technology to support health and palliative care, and; iv) digital technologies for the generation, reporting and receipt of data. Digital heath is an acceptable approach, stakeholders support the use of secure data systems, and patients welcome improved communication with providers. There are varying preferences for how and when digital technologies should be utilised as part of palliative cancer care provision, including for increasing timely patient access to trained palliative care providers and the triaging of contact from patients. Conclusion We identified design and practical challenges to optimise potential for success in developing digital health approaches to improve access to and enhance the delivery of palliative cancer care in Nigeria, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Synthesis of findings identified 15 requirements to guide the development of digital health approaches that can support the attainment of global health palliative care policy goals.

scholarly journals Quality of life among advanced cancer patients in Vietnam: a multicenter cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bui Thanh Huyen ◽  
Pham Thi Van Anh ◽  
Le Dai Duong ◽  
Than Ha Ngoc The ◽  
Ping Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Discriminant Validity ◽  
Correct Prediction ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Chi Square

Abstract Purpose Cancer is a leading cause of death in Vietnam. To maximize quality of life (QOL) at the end of life, valid and clinically useful instruments are needed to assess palliative care needs and the effectiveness of palliative care interventions. Methods We aimed to (i) determine psychometric properties of the Vietnamese version of the WHO abbreviated quality of life scale (WHOQOL-BREFVN) among advanced cancer patients, (ii) measure HR-QOL, and (iii) identify predictors of HR-QOL. We collected demographic, clinical, and HR-QOL data from stage III/IV adult cancer patients at two major Vietnamese cancer centers. We determined the internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha), construct validity (confirmatory factor analysis (CFA)), and discriminant validity (known-groups comparison) of the Vietnamese instrument. HR-QOL was analyzed descriptively. Multinomial logistic regressions identified predictors of HR-QOL. Results A total of 825 patients participated. Missing data were completely at random (MCAR) (chi-square = 14.270, df = 14, p = 0.430). Cronbach’s alpha for all items was 0.904. CFA loadings of physical, psychological, social relationship, and environment domains onto HR-QOL were 0.81, 0.82, 0.34, and 0.75, respectively. Prediction of scores differed significantly by functional status (Wilks’ lambda = 0.784, chi-square = 197.546, df = 4, p < 0.01, correct prediction = 74.6%). HR-QOL was reported as very bad/bad by n = 188 patients (22.8%) and general health as very bad/bad by n = 430 (52.1%). Multinomial logistic regression (likelihood ratio test: chi-square = 35.494, df = 24, p = 0.061, correct prediction = 62.2%) and the Pearson correlations revealed worse HR-QOL was associated with inpatient status, high ECOG score, and having dependent children. Conclusion The Vietnamese version of the WHOQOL-BREF has excellent internal consistency reliability and sound construct and discriminant validity in advanced cancer patients. Advanced cancer inpatients, those with dependent children, and those with poorer physical function appear to have the greatest palliative care needs.

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