Experience and Views of Oncology and Palliative Care Professionals on a Corounding Model of Care for Inpatients With Advanced Cancer

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (11) ◽  
pp. 1433-1438
Author(s):  
Grace Meijuan Yang ◽  
Sungwon Yoon ◽  
Yung Ying Tan ◽  
Karen Liaw

Background: Palliative care is associated with better outcomes in advanced cancer, but there is limited research comparing different models of palliative care delivery alongside oncology care. For inpatients with cancer, palliative care is mostly delivered through a consult service, primarily relying on oncologist-initiated referrals to a separate specialist palliative care team. In our hospital setting, we piloted a palliative care and oncology corounding model of care. Aim: To explore the views and experience of oncology and palliative care professionals on the corounding model compared to an inpatient consult service. Design: A qualitative study nested within a pre–post study of the corounding model of care, with semistructured interviews using thematic analysis. Setting/Participants: Eleven doctors and nurses involved in the pilot corounding model were interviewed. Results: Two main themes emerged: (1) the efficiency of care delivery and (2) quality of patient care. The theme on the efficiency of care delivery was related to access to palliative care input, team communications, and parallel workflow. The quality of patient care was described in terms of holistic approach to cancer care and rapport building with patients and their families. Most participants acknowledged positive aspects of the corounding model, yet some minor concerns were reported, such as disagreements between oncology and palliative care professionals. Conclusions: This study provides insights into the benefits and drawbacks of a corounding model of care for inpatients. The views of health-care professionals can be incorporated into the development of integrated oncology and palliative care models to improve care for patients with advanced cancer.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leslye Rojas-Concha ◽  
Maiken Bang Hansen ◽  
Morten Aagaard Petersen ◽  
Mogens Groenvold

Abstract Background: The assessment of patients’ quality of life (QOL) is essential when evaluating the outcome of palliative care; however, no instruments have been validated for measuring symptoms and QOL in patients receiving palliative care in Chile. We aimed to investigate the content validity of the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 15 Palliative Care (QLQ-C15-PAL), replicating the methods used previously to shorten the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (QLQ-C30) for use among patients in palliative care.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from October to November 2017 in four palliative care services. Patients with advanced cancer and health care professionals (HCPs) were invited to individual interviews to determine the relevance, appropriateness and relative importance of the 30 items of the QLQ-C30 for evaluating the outcome of palliative care, and whether relevant additional issues should be included. Results: A total of 48 patients and 35 HCPs participated. The most important dimensions selected were pain, physical functioning, sleeping difficulties, emotional functioning, nausea/vomiting, fatigue, and social functioning. Qualitative data identified important additional issues not covered by the questionnaire such as satisfaction with care, emotions and psychological support, as well as linguistic issues in the dyspnea and constipation items. Conclusions: The EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL showed good content validity in the assessment of symptoms and QOL of advanced cancer patients; therefore, we recommend the use of this questionnaire in palliative care in Chile. Dyspnea and constipation items were revised by the EORTC group. More research is needed to add a social dimension for a comprehensive assessment of patients’ QOL.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leslye Rojas-Concha ◽  
Maiken Bang Hansen ◽  
Morten Aagaard Petersen ◽  
Mogens Groenvold

Abstract Background The assessment of patients’ quality of life (QOL) is essential when evaluating the outcome of palliative care; however, no instruments have been validated for measuring symptoms and QOL in patients receiving palliative care in Chile. We aimed to investigate the content validity of the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 15 Palliative Care (QLQ-C15-PAL), replicating the methods used previously to shorten the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (QLQ-C30) for use among patients in palliative care. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted from October to November 2017 in four palliative care services. Patients with advanced cancer and health care professionals (HCPs) were invited to individual interviews to determine the relevance, appropriateness and relative importance of the 30 items of the QLQ-C30 for evaluating the outcome of palliative care, and whether relevant additional issues should be included. Results A total of 48 patients and 35 HCPs participated. The most important dimensions selected were pain, physical functioning, sleeping difficulties, emotional functioning, nausea/vomiting, fatigue, social functioning, lack of appetite, role functioning and constipation. Qualitative data identified important additional issues not covered by the questionnaire such as satisfaction with care, emotions and psychological support, as well as linguistic issues in the dyspnea and constipation items. Conclusions The EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL showed good content validity in the assessment of symptoms and QOL of advanced cancer patients; therefore, we recommend the use of this questionnaire in palliative care in Chile. Dyspnea and constipation items were revised by the EORTC group. More research is needed to add a social dimension for a comprehensive assessment of patients’ QOL.


2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lana Kim McGeary

Ritual can be described as an act which helps make sense of life, “there is what many people recognize as a spiritual quality to life, which in suffering, confronts people with questions and possibilities that reach beyond the immediate dilemmas of physical insult.” (Cobb and Robshaw, 1998); in this vein, ritual serves as a vehicle to navigate the inherent moments of sorrow and suffering in our lives. Fred Bird describes ritual as something which allows for communication, representation, meaning making, validation and relationing. (Bird, 1995)This presentation explores the ways in which creating accessible and significant contemporary rituals, within a hospital setting, may serve as a means to crystallize our deepest sensitivities for life, and living. It looks at some of the ways rituals can serve as a bridge to wholing and healing, within the patient, with family members and with health care professionals interacting with patient. Through examples from spiritual care counseling, within a multidisciplinary team setting, in neuro-palliative care, a path is set for some simple ways to ritually nurture quality of life issues, as part of a whole person care health protocol.


2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (12) ◽  
pp. 1572-1583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felicity Moon ◽  
Fiona McDermott ◽  
David Kissane

Background: Patients with dementia may receive suboptimal end-of-life care in hospital settings reflecting broader debate around the palliative status of dementia syndromes. Objectives: To synthesize literature describing the quality of end-of-life care for patients with dementia dying in hospital. Methods: An integrative review assessed the quality of 26 articles concerning medical, nursing, and psychosocial care of patients with dementia dying in hospital settings. Results: Literature reflects a growing awareness of the need to consider a palliative approach to end-of-life care for patients with dementia in hospital. Patients with dementia are less likely to receive aggressive care at the end of life, but provision of palliative care interventions is inconsistent. Health-care professionals highlighted the need for greater education around identification and management of problematic symptoms at the end of life. Engagement of family caregivers is essential in optimizing end-of-life care, and further research is required to ascertain their experiences around decision-making. Conclusion: Although patients with dementia appear to receive less aggressive treatment at the end of life, the provision of palliative care and symptom management may be inadequate.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 11006-11006
Author(s):  
Jennifer King ◽  
Antoine Saliba ◽  
Reem Akel ◽  
Cynthia Wei ◽  
Naveen Manchanda ◽  
...  

11006 Background: Interest in pursuing a career in oncology has decreased among internal medicine residents completing an inpatient oncology rotation. Over several years, our institutional data at Indiana University School of Medicine reflected lower resident satisfaction with the oncology inpatient ward rotation compared to other rotations. Methods: A hybrid model of inpatient consultations and outpatient clinics replaced the traditional inpatient oncology rotation at our institution. Over a six-month period preceding and following the change in format, residents completed anonymous rotation assessments and rated their experiences on a 5-point Likert scale (low 1 to high 5). Areas assessed included: patient load, educational value of patient mix, quality of didactics and teaching, quality of patient care delivery, adequacy of time for reading, and overall educational quality of the rotation. Results: The hybrid oncology rotation (8 respondents out of 10 residents approached) was rated as significantly superior to the traditional ward format (15 respondents out of 16 residents approached) in six out of eight areas. Improvements in the perceived quality of patient care delivery (p=0.139) and quality of didactics (p=0.058) were also observed without reaching statistical significance. The balance of inpatient and outpatient experiences with the hybrid rotation was highly rated (4.5 ± 0.5). Conclusions: The implementation of a hybrid oncology rotation was associated with perceived improvement in educational value, patient mix, and time for reflection and study without apparent compromise in the quality of patient care delivery. [Table: see text]


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah F. D'Ambruoso ◽  
John A. Glaspy ◽  
Sara A. Hurvitz ◽  
Neil S. Wenger ◽  
Christopher Pietras ◽  
...  

PURPOSE: Guidelines support early integration of palliative care (PC) into standard oncology practice; however, little is known as to whether outcomes can be improved by modifying health care delivery in a real-world setting. METHODS: We report our 6-year experience of embedding a nurse practitioner in an oncology clinic (March 2014-March 2020) to integrate early, concurrent advance care planning and PC. RESULTS: Compared with patients with advanced cancer not enrolled in the palliative care nurse practitioner program, in March 2020, patients who are enrolled are more likely to have higher quality of PC (eg, goals of care note documentation [82% v 15%; P < .01], referral to the psychosocial oncology program [67% v 37%; P < .01], and referral to hospice [61% v 34%; P < .01]) and less inpatient utilization in the last 6 months of life (eg, hospital days [12 v 18; P < .01] and intensive care unit days [1.2 v 2.3; P < .01]). The program expanded over time with the support of faculty skills training for advance care planning and PC, supporting a shared mental model of PC delivery within the oncology clinic. CONCLUSION: Embedding a trained palliative care nurse practitioner in oncology clinics to deliver early integrated PC can lead to improved quality of care for patients with advanced cancer.


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
T Schrire ◽  
C Estela

Abstract Introduction Plastic Surgery Minor Operations is a fast paced, rapid turnover operative environment. It is reliant on effective communication, accurate surgery, and time efficiency. It was noticed in our department that there was confusion regarding booking and operative intentions leading to delays in surgery and over-running lists. This was worsening patient experience and leading to delays in patient care. Method In response to the delays and confusion in booking, a new booking form was created, so all patients have a standardised booking containing the necessary information. This form was disseminated across all the booking clinics and formed a vital part of the pre-operative check in process. Results The audit was carried out at the time of introduction, and then re-audited a year later to see if the form has improved care for patients. Results showed that with the new booking form, people were not having to cancel or rearrange patients. Patient booking forms were sufficient, and a copy of the clinic letter no longer required for the operation to proceed or for clarity. It was noted that more senior advice was sought. Conclusions The new form has improved patient flow and quality of patient care, whilst streamlining the booking process.


2020 ◽  
Vol 93 (6) ◽  
pp. 343-350
Author(s):  
Molly O. Regelmann ◽  
Rushika Conroy ◽  
Evgenia Gourgari ◽  
Anshu Gupta ◽  
Ines Guttmann-Bauman ◽  
...  

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Pediatric endocrine practices had to rapidly transition to telemedicine care at the onset of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. For many, it was an abrupt introduction to providing virtual healthcare, with concerns related to quality of patient care, patient privacy, productivity, and compensation, as workflows had to change. <b><i>Summary:</i></b> The review summarizes the common adaptations for telemedicine during the pandemic with respect to the practice of pediatric endocrinology and discusses the benefits and potential barriers to telemedicine. <b><i>Key Messages:</i></b> With adjustments to practice, telemedicine has allowed providers to deliver care to their patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. The broader implementation of telemedicine in pediatric endocrinology practice has the potential for expanding patient access. Research assessing the impact of telemedicine on patient care outcomes in those with pediatric endocrinology conditions will be necessary to justify its continued use beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.


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