The stability of treatment preferences of advanced cancer patients over time.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e21501-e21501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lea Jasmina Jabbarian ◽  
Renee Maciejewski ◽  
Paul K Maciejewski ◽  
Holly Gwen Prigerson
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Physical Functioning ◽  
Treatment Preferences ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
Advance Care ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Over Time

e21501 Background: The stability of patient treatment preferences has important implications for the optimal timing of advance care planning. Nevertheless, longitudinal data on cancer patients in real-life settings have not examined stability of treatment preferences over time. This study examines the stability of treatment preferences of advanced cancer patients over time and the potential influence of changes in physical functioning. Methods: The patient sample (N = 104) was drawn from a multi-institutional, longitudinal cohort study of patients recruited between 2010 and 2015. Patients with metastatic solid tumor cancer that had progressed on prior chemotherapy regimens were interviewed after an initial clinic meeting in which their most recent scan results were discussed (baseline) and, subsequently, completed monthly follow-ups. Patients reported their treatment preferences (i.e., comfort versus life-extending care) and physical functioning at each assessment. Results: The treatment preferences of the majority of patients (80.8%) remained stable within the first month of follow-up. Patient characteristics, such as age or type of cancer, were not significantly associated with treatment preference stability. The proportion of patients whose preferences changed in favor of comfort care (10.6%) was only slightly higher than the proportion of patients whose preferences changed in favor of life-extending care (8.7%). The same pattern held for the two- and three-month follow-up assessments. Improvement in physical functioning was significantly associated with change in treatment preferences. However, the vast majority of patients (72.2%) had stable or declining physical functioning. Conclusions: Most advanced cancer patients have stable treatment preferences regarding comfort versus life-extending care in the months leading up to their death. Thus, advance care planning earlier in the course of illness may not be premature for the vast majority of patients. As physical functioning changes, treatment preferences should be re-evaluated.

scholarly journals Changes in fatigue, barriers, and predictors towards physical activity in advanced cancer patients over a period of 12 months—a comparative study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Frikkel ◽  
M. Beckmann ◽  
N. De Lazzari ◽  
M. Götte ◽  
S. Kasper ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Physical Functioning ◽  
Comprehensive Cancer Center ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
Psychological Conditions ◽  
Patient Reported

Abstract Purpose Physical activity (PA) is recommended to improve advanced cancer patients’ (ACP) physical functioning, fatigue, and quality of life. Yet, little is known about ACPs’ attitude towards PA and its influence on fatigue and depressiveness over a longer period. This prospective, non-interventional cohort study examined ACPs’ fatigue, depression, motivation, and barriers towards PA before and after 12 months of treatment among ACP Methods Outpatients with incurable cancer receiving treatment at a German Comprehensive Cancer Center reporting moderate/severe weakness/tiredness during self-assessment via MIDOS II were enrolled. Fatigue (FACT-F), depression (PHQ-8), cancer-related parameters, self-assessed PA behavior, motivation for and barriers against PA were evaluated (T0). Follow-up data was acquired after 12 months (T1) using the same questionnaire. Results At follow-up, fatigue (p=0.017) and depressiveness (p=0.015) had increased in clinical relevant extent. Physically active ACP did not show significant progress of FACT-F (p=0.836) or PHQ-8 (p=0.799). Patient-reported barriers towards PA remained stable. Logistic regression analyses identified motivation as a positive predictor for PA at both time points (T0, β=2.152, p=0.017; T1, β =2.264, p=0.009). Clinically relevant depression was a negative predictor for PA at T0 and T1 (T0, β=−3.187, p=0.044; T1, β=−3.521, p=0.041). Conclusion Our findings emphasize the importance of psychological conditions in physical activity behavior of ACP. Since psychological conditions seem to worsen over time, early integration of treatment is necessary. By combining therapy approaches of cognitive behavioral therapy and exercise in interdisciplinary care programs, the two treatment options might reinforce each other and sustainably improve ACPs’ fatigue, physical functioning, and QoL. Trial registration German Register of Clinical Trials, DRKS00012514, registration date: 30.05.2017

scholarly journals Religiousness and Spiritual Support Among Advanced Cancer Patients and Associations With End-of-Life Treatment Preferences and Quality of Life

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 555-560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracy A. Balboni ◽  
Lauren C. Vanderwerker ◽  
Susan D. Block ◽  
M. Elizabeth Paulk ◽  
Christopher S. Lathan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Medical System ◽  
Religious Communities ◽  
Treatment Preferences ◽  
Spiritual Needs ◽  
Spiritual Support ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
Advance Care

Purpose Religion and spirituality play a role in coping with illness for many cancer patients. This study examined religiousness and spiritual support in advanced cancer patients of diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds and associations with quality of life (QOL), treatment preferences, and advance care planning. Methods The Coping With Cancer study is a federally funded, multi-institutional investigation examining factors associated with advanced cancer patient and caregiver well-being. Patients with an advanced cancer diagnosis and failure of first-line chemotherapy were interviewed at baseline regarding religiousness, spiritual support, QOL, treatment preferences, and advance care planning. Results Most (88%) of the study population (N = 230) considered religion to be at least somewhat important. Nearly half (47%) reported that their spiritual needs were minimally or not at all supported by a religious community, and 72% reported that their spiritual needs were supported minimally or not at all by the medical system. Spiritual support by religious communities or the medical system was significantly associated with patient QOL (P = .0003). Religiousness was significantly associated with wanting all measures to extend life (odds ratio, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.08 to 3.57). Conclusion Many advanced cancer patients’ spiritual needs are not supported by religious communities or the medical system, and spiritual support is associated with better QOL. Religious individuals more frequently want aggressive measures to extend life.

Outcomes Associated with End-of-Life Discussions (DRAFT)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masanori Mori
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Advance Care Planning ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
Advance Care ◽  
Aggressive Care

Physicians and advanced cancer patients are often reluctant to talk about death. They frequently avoid end-of-life discussions (EOLds), although such conversations are essential to initiate advance care planning. In this prospective, a longitudinal multisite cohort study of advanced cancer patients and their informal caregivers, the authors suggested cascading benefits of EOLds between patients and their physicians. In total, 123 of 332 (37.0%) patients reported having EOLds with their physicians at baseline. EOLds were not associated with higher rates of emotional distress or psychiatric disorders. Instead, after propensity-score weighted adjustment, EOLds were associated with less aggressive medical care near death and earlier hospice referrals. Aggressive care was associated with worse patient quality of life and worse bereavement adjustment. These findings may help destigmatize EOLds and assist physicians and patients in initiating such conversations and engaging in advance care planning.

scholarly journals Views of advanced cancer patients, families, and oncologists on initiating and engaging in advance care planning: a qualitative study

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. T. Toguri ◽  
L. Grant-Nunn ◽  
R. Urquhart
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Advance Care Planning ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Formal Training ◽  
Team Approach ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
Advance Care ◽  
Services And Supports

Abstract Background Advance care planning (ACP) is a process by which patients reflect upon their goals, values and beliefs to allow them to make decisions about their future medical treatment that align with their goals and values, improving patient-centered care. Despite this, ACP is underutilized and is reported as one of the most difficult processes of oncology. We sought to: 1) explore patients’ and families’ understanding, experience and reflections on ACP, as well as what they need from their physicians during the process; 2) explore physicians’ views of ACP, including their experiences with initiating ACP and views on ACP training. Methods This was a qualitative descriptive study in Nova Scotia, Canada with oncologists, advanced cancer out-patients and their family members. Semi-structured interviews with advanced cancer out-patients and their family members (n = 4 patients, 4 family members) and oncologists (n = 10) were conducted; each participant was recruited separately. Data were analyzed using constant comparative analysis, which entailed coding, categorizing, and identifying themes recurrent across the datasets. Results Themes were identified from the patient / family and oncologist groups, four and five respectively. Themes from patients / families included: 1) positive attitudes towards ACP; 2) healthcare professionals (HCPs) lack an understanding of patients’ and families’ informational needs during the ACP process; 3) limited access to services and supports; and 4) poor communication between HCPs. Themes from oncologists included: 1) initiation of ACP discussions; 2) navigating patient-family dynamics; 3) limited formal training in ACP; 4) ACP requires a team approach; and 5) lack of coordinated systems hinders ACP. Conclusions Stakeholders believe ACP for advanced cancer patients is important. Patients and families desire earlier and more in-depth discussion of ACP, additional services and supports, and improved communication between their HCPs. In the absence of formal training or guidance, oncologists have used clinical acumen to initiate ACP and a collaborative healthcare team approach.

scholarly journals An examination of Latino-advanced cancer patients' and their informal caregivers' preferences for communication about advance care planning: A qualitative study

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-284
Author(s):  
Megan Johnson Shen ◽  
Cyndi Gonzalez ◽  
Benjamin Leach ◽  
Paul K. Maciejewski ◽  
Elissa Kozlov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Advance Care Planning ◽  
Religious Beliefs ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
Advance Care ◽  
Eol Care ◽  
Language For Learning

AbstractObjectivesLatino-advanced cancer patients engage in advance care planning (ACP) at lower rates than non-Latino patients. The goal of the present study was to understand patients' and caregivers' preferred methods of communicating about ACP.MethodsPatients and caregivers were interviewed about cultural, religious, and familial beliefs that influence engagement in ACP and preferences for ACP communication.ResultsFindings highlighted that Latino patients respect doctors' medical advice, prefer the involvement of family members in ACP discussions with doctors, hold optimistic religious beliefs (e.g., belief in miracles) that hinder ACP discussions, and prefer culturally competent approaches, such as using their native language, for learning how to discuss end-of-life (EoL) care preferences.Significance of resultsKey cultural, religious, and familial beliefs and dynamics influence Latino engagement in ACP. Patients prefer a family-centered, physician informed approach to discussing ACP with consideration and incorporation of their religious medical beliefs about EoL care. Promising targets for improving the communication of and engagement in ACP include integrating cultural and religious beliefs in ACP discussions, providing information about ACP from the physician, involving family members in ACP discussions and decision-making, and giving instructions on how to engage in ACP discussions.

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