scholarly journals Caregivers of Patients with Hematological Malignancies within Home Care: A Phenomenological Study

Author(s):  
Isabella Capodanno ◽  
Mirta Rocchi ◽  
Rossella Prandi ◽  
Cristina Pedroni ◽  
Enrica Tamagnini ◽  
...  

The role of caregivers in homecare settings is relevant to the patient’s wellbeing and quality of life. This phenomenon is well described in the literature for the oncological setting but not specifically for that of hematological malignancies. The aim of this study was to explore the experience of primary caregivers of patients with hematological malignancies within home care. We conducted a phenomenological study based on interviews with 17 primary caregivers of hematological patients. Analysis of the contents led to the identification of five main themes. Perhaps, the innovative aspects of this study can be summarized in three points: This service was demonstrated to fulfil the ethical aspects of providing the patient with a dignified accompaniment to the end of life. Secondly, the efficiency of the service and the benefit are directly dependent on the caregivers’ wellbeing, so knowledge of the dynamics and emotions involved can lead to the development and implementation of programs for hematological malignancies. Lastly, a collaborative caregivers–professionals relationship can improve a sense of accomplishment for all parties involved, lessening the family’s frustration related to not having done their best. Home care brings significant benefits for both the patient and the caregivers and fulfils the ethical obligation of providing the patient dignified end-of-life care.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (9) ◽  
pp. 692-700
Author(s):  
Mary-Joanne Verhoef ◽  
Ellen J. M. de Nijs ◽  
Claudia S. Ootjers ◽  
Marta Fiocco ◽  
Anne J. Fogteloo ◽  
...  

Purpose: Patients with hematological malignancies (HM) have more unpredictable disease trajectories compared to patients with advanced solid tumors (STs) and miss opportunities for a palliative care approach. They often undergo intensive disease-directed treatments until the end of life with frequent emergency department (ED) visits and in-hospital deaths. Insight into end-of-life trajectories and quality of end-of-life care can support arranging appropriate care according to patients’ wishes. Method: Mortality follow-back study to compare of end-of-life trajectories of HM and ST patients who died <3 months after their ED visit. Five indicators based on Earle et al. for quality of end-of-life care were assessed: intensive anticancer treatment <3 months, ED visits <6 months, in-hospital death, death in the intensive care unit (ICU), and in-hospice death. Results: We included 78 HM patients and 420 ST patients, with a median age of 63 years; 35% had Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 3-4. At the ED, common symptoms were dyspnea (22%), pain (18%), and fever (11%). After ED visit, 91% of HM patients versus 76% of ST patients were hospitalized ( P = .001). Median survival was 17 days (95% confidence interval [CI]: 15-19): 15 days in HM patients (95% CI: 10-20) versus 18 days in ST patients (95% CI: 15-21), P = .028. Compared to ST patients, HM patients more often died in hospital (68% vs 30%, P < .0001) and in the ICU or ED (30% vs 3%, P < .0001). Conclusion: Because end-of-life care is more aggressive in HM patients compared to ST patients, a proactive integrated care approach with early start of palliative care alongside curative care is warranted. Timely discussions with patients and family about advance care planning and end-of-life choices can avoid inappropriate care at the end of life.


2021 ◽  
pp. 219-224
Author(s):  
Samantha Cushen ◽  
Aoife Ryan

In palliative care, the aims of nutritional support change with an emphasis on quality of life and symptom relief as opposed to active nutritional therapy. The concept of palliative nutrition has evolved to include all aspects of the palliative trajectory, not just end of life care, with each stage of the trajectory having different nutritional goals. The role of the dietitian in palliative care is a topic that until recently remained relatively unexplored. This chapter introduces the concept of diet as a potential survivorship intervention as opposed to nourishment only and contextualizes the dietitian’s role in palliative care.


2016 ◽  
Vol 176 (8) ◽  
pp. 1095 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa W. Wachterman ◽  
Corey Pilver ◽  
Dawn Smith ◽  
Mary Ersek ◽  
Stuart R. Lipsitz ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juanjuan Zhao ◽  
Liming You ◽  
Hongmei Tao ◽  
Frances Kam Yuet Wong

Abstract Background Assessing the quality of structure and process of end-of-life care can help improve outcomes. There was currently no valid tool for this purpose in Mainland China. The aim of this study is to validate the Chinese version of the Care Evaluation Scale (CES). Methods From January to December 2017, a cross-sectional online survey was conducted among bereaved family members of cancer patients from 10 medical institutes. The reliability of the CES was assessed with Cronbach’s α, and structural validity was evaluated by confirmatory factor analysis. Concurrent validity was tested by examining the correlation between the CES total score and overall satisfaction with end-of-life care, quality of dying and death, and quality of life. Results A total of 305 valid responses were analyzed. The average CES score was 70.7 ± 16.4, and the Cronbach’s α of the CES was 0.967 (range: 0.802–0.927 for the 10 domains). The fit indices for the 10-factor model of CES were good(root-mean-square error of approximation, 0.047; comparative fit index, 0.952; Tucker–Lewis index, 0.946; standardized root mean square residual, 0.053). The CES total score was highly correlated with overall satisfaction with medical care (r = 0.775, P < 0.01), and moderately correlated with patients’ quality of life (r = 0.579, P < 0.01) and quality of dying and death (r = 0.570, P < 0.01). In addition, few associations between CES total score and demographic characteristics, except for the family members’ age. Conclusions The Chinese version of the CES is a reliable and valid tool to evaluate the quality of structure and process of end-of-life care for patients with cancer from the perspective of bereaved family in Mainland China.


Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 100494
Author(s):  
Ann Kutney-Lee ◽  
Dawn Smith ◽  
Hilary Griffin ◽  
Daniel Kinder ◽  
Joan Carpenter ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 17-17
Author(s):  
Yifan Lou ◽  
Nan Jiang ◽  
Katherine Ornstein

Abstract Background: Quality of life (QoL) during last stage of life has raised expanded interests as an important aspect of person-centered care. Last place of care (LPC), refer to the last place decedents received their formal end-of-life care (EOLC), has been identified as a key indicator of older adults’ end-of-life QoL, but the relationship was understudied. This study explores the association between LPC and end-of-life QoL among American older adults. Methods: Data used seven waves of Last Month of Life data with a total sample of 3068 Medicare decedents in NHATS. Outcome is end-of-life QoL assessed by eleven measures on four domains: pain and symptoms management (SP), quality of healthcare encounter (HE), person-centered care (PC), and overall quality of care (QC). LPC was categorized into home, hospital, nursing home, and residential hospice. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to examine the relationship with covariates. Results: LPC varied by most demographic characteristics, except immigration status and education. Older adults whose LPC is hospital, compared to those who had home-care, were less likely to have great experiences on HE, PC, and QC. People dying at nursing homes are more likely to receive care meeting their dyspnea and spiritual needs. Residential hospice is negatively related to respected care, clear coordination, and keeping family informed, but are more likely to provide PS and spiritual care. Discussion: Home-based end-of-life care has certain advantages but still has room to improve on SP and religious concerns. Hospitals should keep reforming their service delivery structure to improve patients’ QoL.


2021 ◽  
pp. 019394592110165
Author(s):  
Shahad A. Hafez ◽  
Julia A. Snethen ◽  
Emmanuel Ngui ◽  
Julie Ellis ◽  
Murad Taani

Studies investigating children and families’ experiences at end of life in Saudi Arabia are limited. However, one factor found to have an impact on patient and primary caregiver end of life care is Islam. Since women are the primary caregivers for children in Saudi Arabia, the purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of Muslim women caring for a child at end of life. Using a qualitative approach, interviews were conducted with 24 female primary caregivers caring for a child at end of life. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. The researchers found that Islamic beliefs and practices had a positive influence on primary caregivers’ experiences. Islamic beliefs and practices helped support participants through their child’s end of life experience. Results have implications for health care education, practice, policy, and future research on end of life in Saudi Arabia other Muslim countries.


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