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Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) May 2024: Mental capacity is a fundamental aspect that enables patients to fully participate in various healthcare procedures. To assist healthcare professionals (HCPs) in... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Meta-Analysis Review
: Mental capacity is a fundamental aspect that enables patients to fully participate in various healthcare procedures. To assist healthcare professionals (HCPs) in assessing patients' capacity, especially in the mental health field, several standardized tools have been developed. These tools include the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Treatment (MacCAT-T), the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Clinical Research (MacCAT-CR), and the Competence Assessment Tool for Psychiatric Advance Directives (CAT-PAD). The core dimensions explored by these tools include Understanding, Appreciation, Reasoning, and Expression of a choice. : This meta-analysis aimed to investigate potential differences in decision-making capacity within the healthcare context among groups of patients with bipolar disorders (BD) and schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD). : A systematic search was conducted on Medline/Pubmed, and Scopus. Additionally, Google Scholar was manually inspected, and a manual search of emerging reviews and reference lists of the retrieved papers was performed. Eligible studies were specifically cross-sectional, utilizing standardized assessment tools, and involving patients diagnosed with BD and SSD. Data from the studies were independently extracted and pooled using random-effect models. Hedges' was used as a measure for outcomes. : Six studies were identified, with three studies using the MacCAT-CR, two studies the MacCAT-T, and one the CAT-PAD. The participants included 189 individuals with BD and 324 individuals with SSD. The meta-analysis revealed that patients with BD performed slightly better compared to patients with SSD, with the difference being statistically significant in the domain of Appreciation (ES = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.04, = 0.037). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups for Understanding (ES = 0.09, 95% CI:-0.10 to 0.27, = 0.352), Reasoning (ES = 0.18, 95% CI: -0.12 to 0.47, = 0.074), and Expression of a choice (ES = 0.23, 95% CI: -0.01 to 0.48, = 0.60). In the sensitivity analysis, furthermore, when considering only studies involving patients in symptomatic remission, the difference for Appreciation also resulted in non-significant (ES = 0.21, 95% CI: -0.04 to 0.46, = 0.102). : These findings indicate that there are no significant differences between patients with BD and SSD during remission phases, while differences are minimal during acute phases. The usefulness of standardized assessment of capacity at any stage of the illness should be considered, both for diagnostic-therapeutic phases and for research and advance directives. Further studies are necessary to understand the reasons for the overlap in capacity between the two diagnostic categories compared in this study.
Topics: Humans; Bipolar Disorder; Decision Making; Informed Consent; Mental Competency; Schizophrenia
PubMed: 38792947
DOI: 10.3390/medicina60050764 -
BMC Health Services Research Apr 2024Providing individualised healthcare in line with patient wishes is a particular challenge for emergency healthcare professionals. Documentation of patient wishes (DPW),...
BACKGROUND
Providing individualised healthcare in line with patient wishes is a particular challenge for emergency healthcare professionals. Documentation of patient wishes (DPW), e.g. as advance directives, can guide clinicians in making end-of-life decisions that respect the patient's wishes and autonomy. However, patient centered decisions are hindered by limited availability of DPWs in emergency settings.
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review aims to congregate present data on recorded rates for DPW existence and availability in the emergency department (ED) as well as contributing factors for these rates.
METHODS
We searched MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Embase and Web of Science databases in September 2023. Publications providing primary quantitative data on DPW in the ED were assessed. Publications referring only to a subset of ED patients (other than geriatric) and investigating DPW issued after admission were excluded.
RESULTS
A total of 22 studies from 1996 to 2021 were included in the analysis. Most were from the US (n = 12), followed by Australia (n = 4), Canada (n = 2), South Korea, Germany, the United Kingdom and Switzerland (n = 1 each). In the general adult population presenting to the ED, 19.9-27.8% of patients reported having some form of DPW, but only in 6.8% or less it was available on presentation. In the geriatric population, DPW rates (2.6-79%) as well as their availability (1.1-48.8%) varied widely. The following variables were identified as positive predictors of having DPW, among others: higher age, poorer overall health, as well as sociodemographic factors, such as female gender, having children, being in a relationship, higher level of education or a recent previous presentation to hospital.
CONCLUSIONS
Existence and availability of a recorded DPW among ED patients was low in general and even in geriatric populations mostly well below 50%. While we were able to gather data on prevalence and predictors, this was limited by heterogeneous data. We believe further research is needed to explore the quality of DPW and measures to increase both rates of existence and availability of DPW in the ED.
Topics: Aged; Adult; Child; Humans; Female; Advance Directives; Emergency Service, Hospital; Hospitalization; Health Personnel; Decision Making
PubMed: 38570808
DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-10819-1 -
BMC Medical Research Methodology Feb 2024Successfully recruiting male participants to complete a healthcare related study is important for healthcare study completion and to advance our clinical knowledgebase....
BACKGROUND
Successfully recruiting male participants to complete a healthcare related study is important for healthcare study completion and to advance our clinical knowledgebase. To date, most research studies have examined the barriers and facilitators of female participants in longitudinal healthcare-related studies with limited information available about the needs of males in longitudinal research. This systematic review examines the unique barriers and facilitators to male recruitment across longitudinal healthcare-related research studies.
METHODS
Following PRIMSA guidelines, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and Web of Science databases were systematically searched using the terms recruitment and/or retention, facilitators and/or barriers and longitudinal studies from 1900 to 2023 which contained separate data on males aged 17-59 years. Health studies or interventions were defined longitudinal if they were greater than or equal to 12 weeks in duration with 3 separate data collection visits.
RESULTS
Twenty-four articles published from 1976-2023 met the criteria. One-third of the studies had a predominantly male sample and four studies recruited only male participants. Males appear disinterested towards participation in health research, however this lack of enthusiasm can be overcome by clear, non-directive communication, and studies that support the participants interests. Facilitating factors are diverse and may require substantial time from research teams.
CONCLUSIONS
Future research should focus on the specific impact of these factors across the spectrum of longitudinal health-related studies. Based on the findings of this systematic review, researchers from longitudinal health-related clinical trials are encouraged to consider male-specific recruitment strategies to ensure successful recruitment and retention in their studies.
REGISTRATION
This systemic review is registered with the PROSPERO database (CRD42021254696).
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Health Services Research; Communication; Data Collection; Research Personnel
PubMed: 38389065
DOI: 10.1186/s12874-024-02163-z -
BMC Palliative Care Jan 2024Advance directives (ADs) has recently been considered as an important component of palliative care for patients with advanced cancer and is a legally binding directive...
INTRODUCTION
Advance directives (ADs) has recently been considered as an important component of palliative care for patients with advanced cancer and is a legally binding directive regarding a person's future medical care. It is used when a person is unable to participate in the decision-making process about their own care. Therefore, the present systematic review investigated the factors related to ADs from the perspective of cancer patients.
METHODS
A systematic review study was searched in four scientific databases: PubMed, Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and ProQuest using with related keywords and without date restrictions. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Hawker criterion. The research papers were analyzed as directed content analysis based on the theory of planned behavior.
RESULTS
Out of 5900 research papers found, 22 were included in the study. The perspectives of 9061 cancer patients were investigated, of whom 4347 were men and 4714 were women. The mean ± SD of the patients' age was 62.04 ± 6.44. According to TPB, factors affecting ADs were categorized into four categories, including attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and external factors affecting the model. The attitude category includes two subcategories: "Lack of knowledge of the ADs concept" and "Previous experience of the disease", the subjective norm category includes three subcategories: "Social support and interaction with family", "Respecting the patient's wishes" and "EOL care choices". Also, the category of perceived control behavior was categorized into two sub-categories: "Decision-making" and "Access to the healthcare system", as well as external factors affecting the model, including "socio-demographic characteristics".
CONCLUSION
The studies indicate that attention to EOL care and the wishes of patients regarding receiving medical care and preservation of human dignity, the importance of facilitating open communication between patients and their families, and different perspectives on providing information, communicating bad news and making decisions require culturally sensitive approaches. Finally, the training of cancer care professionals in the palliative care practice, promoting the participation of health care professionals in ADs activities and creating an AD-positive attitude should be strongly encouraged.
Topics: Male; Humans; Female; Advance Directives; Palliative Care; Health Personnel; Attitude; Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing; Neoplasms
PubMed: 38166983
DOI: 10.1186/s12904-023-01327-w -
BMC Palliative Care May 2023Life-limited patients may lose decision-making abilities during disease progression. Advance care planning can be used as a discussion method for healthcare...
Experiences and perspectives of healthcare professionals implementing advance care planning for people suffering from life-limiting illness: a systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative studies.
BACKGROUND
Life-limited patients may lose decision-making abilities during disease progression. Advance care planning can be used as a discussion method for healthcare professionals to understand patients' future care preferences. However, due to many difficulties, the participation rate of healthcare professionals in advance care planning is not high.
AIM
To explore the facilitators of and barriers to healthcare professionals' provision of advance care planning to life-limited patients to better implement it for this population.
METHODS
We followed ENTREQ and PRISMA to guide this study. We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, CNKI, and SinoMed to include qualitative data on the experiences and perspectives of healthcare professionals in different professional fields in providing advance care planning for life-limited patients. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research was used to assess the quality of the included studies.
RESULTS
A total of 11 studies were included. Two themes were identified: unsupported conditions and facilitative actions. Healthcare professionals regarded cultural concepts, limited time, and fragmented record services as obstacles to implementation. They had low confidence and were overly concerned about negative effects. They needed to possess multiple abilities, learn to flexibly initiate topics, and facilitate effective communication based on multidisciplinary collaboration.
CONCLUSION
Healthcare professionals need an accepting cultural environment to implement advance care planning, a sound legal system, financial support, and a coordinated and shared system to support them. Healthcare systems need to develop educational training programs to increase the knowledge and skills of healthcare professionals and to promote multidisciplinary collaboration to facilitate effective communication. Future research should compare the differences in the needs of healthcare professionals in different cultures when implementing advance care planning to develop systematic implementation guidelines in different cultures.
Topics: Humans; Advance Care Planning; Health Personnel; Delivery of Health Care; Qualitative Research; Learning
PubMed: 37149560
DOI: 10.1186/s12904-023-01176-7 -
The American Journal of Emergency... Jun 2023Advance care planning can help provide optimal medical care according to a patient's wishes as a part of patient-centered discussions on end-of-life care. This can... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Advance care planning can help provide optimal medical care according to a patient's wishes as a part of patient-centered discussions on end-of-life care. This can prevent undesired transfers to emergency departments. However, the effects of advance care planning on emergency department visits and ambulance calls in various settings or specific conditions remain unclear.
AIM
To evaluate whether advanced care planning affected the frequency of emergency department visits and ambulance calls.
DESIGN
Systematic review. This study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022340109). We assessed risk of bias using RoB 2.0, ROBINS-I, and ROBINS-E.
DATA SOURCES
We searched the PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, and EMBASE databases from their inception until September 22, 2022 for studies comparing patients with and without advanced care planning and reported the frequency of emergency department visits and ambulance calls as outcomes.
RESULTS
Eight studies were included. Regarding settings, two studies on patients in nursing homes showed that advanced care planning significantly reduced the frequency of emergency department visits and ambulance calls. However, two studies involving several medical care facilities reported inconclusive results. Regarding patient disease, a study on patients with depression or dementia showed that advanced care planning significantly reduced emergency department visits; in contrast, two studies on patients with severe respiratory diseases and serious illnesses showed no significant reduction. Seven studies showed a high risk of bias.
CONCLUSIONS
Advanced care planning may lead to reduced emergency department visits and ambulance calls among nursing home residents and patients with depression or dementia. Further research is warranted to identify the effectiveness of advanced care planning in specific settings and diseases.
Topics: Humans; Emergency Service, Hospital; Nursing Homes; Ambulances; Dementia
PubMed: 36958094
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2023.03.004 -
International Journal of Environmental... Dec 2022Neighborhoods are critical to understanding how environments influence health outcomes. Prolonged environmental stressors, such as a lack of green spaces and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Neighborhoods are critical to understanding how environments influence health outcomes. Prolonged environmental stressors, such as a lack of green spaces and neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage, have been associated with higher allostatic load levels. Since allostatic load levels experienced earlier in life have stronger associations with mortality risk, neighborhoods may be uniquely suited to monitor and mitigate the impacts of environmental stressors. Researchers often study allostatic load in neighborhoods by utilizing administrative boundaries within publicly accessible databases as proxies for neighborhoods.
METHODS
This systematic review of reviews aims to identify commonly used biomarkers in the measurement of allostatic load, compare measurement approaches, inventory databases to study allostatic load, and spotlight considerations referenced in the literature where allostatic load is studied in neighborhoods. The review was conducted using the search term "allostatic load" in the MEDLINE, CINAHL, and PsychINFO databases. The search results were filtered to include reviews.
RESULTS
The search returned 499 articles after deduplication. Overall, 18 synthesis reviews met the inclusion criteria and were retained for extraction. The synthesis reviews analyzed represented 238 studies published from 1995 to 2020. The original ten biomarkers were most often used to measure allostatic load. More recently, body mass index and C-reactive protein have additionally been frequently used to measure allostatic load burden.
CONCLUSIONS
The scientific contributions of this study are that we have identified a clear gap in geographic considerations when studying allostatic load. The implication of this study is that we have highlighted geographic concepts when conducting neighborhood-level research using administrative databases as a neighborhood proxy and outlined emerging future trends that can enable future study of allostatic load in the neighborhood context.
Topics: Biomarkers; C-Reactive Protein; Residence Characteristics; Allostasis; Advance Directives
PubMed: 36554888
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192417006 -
International Journal of Environmental... Nov 2022Dengue fever is an acute mosquito-borne disease that mostly spreads within urban or semi-urban areas in warm climate zones. The dengue-related risk map is one of the... (Review)
Review
Dengue fever is an acute mosquito-borne disease that mostly spreads within urban or semi-urban areas in warm climate zones. The dengue-related risk map is one of the most practical tools for executing effective control policies, breaking the transmission chain, and preventing disease outbreaks. Mapping risk at a small scale, such as at an urban level, can demonstrate the spatial heterogeneities in complicated built environments. This review aims to summarize state-of-the-art modeling methods and influential factors in mapping dengue fever risk in urban settings. Data were manually extracted from five major academic search databases following a set of querying and selection criteria, and a total of 28 studies were analyzed. Twenty of the selected papers investigated the spatial pattern of dengue risk by epidemic data, whereas the remaining eight papers developed an entomological risk map as a proxy for potential dengue burden in cities or agglomerated urban regions. The key findings included: (1) Big data sources and emerging data-mining techniques are innovatively employed for detecting hot spots of dengue-related burden in the urban context; (2) Bayesian approaches and machine learning algorithms have become more popular as spatial modeling tools for predicting the distribution of dengue incidence and mosquito presence; (3) Climatic and built environmental variables are the most common factors in making predictions, though the effects of these factors vary with the mosquito species; (4) Socio-economic data may be a better representation of the huge heterogeneity of risk or vulnerability spatial distribution on an urban scale. In conclusion, for spatially assessing dengue-related risk in an urban context, data availability and the purpose for mapping determine the analytical approaches and modeling methods used. To enhance the reliabilities of predictive models, sufficient data about dengue serotyping, socio-economic status, and spatial connectivity may be more important for mapping dengue-related risk in urban settings for future studies.
Topics: Animals; Bayes Theorem; Advance Directives; Algorithms; Big Data; Dengue
PubMed: 36429980
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192215265 -
International Journal of Mental Health... Oct 2022Embedded into Victoria's mental health legislation as part of the 2014 Mental Health Act suite of reforms, advance statements are designed to convey an individuals'... (Review)
Review
Embedded into Victoria's mental health legislation as part of the 2014 Mental Health Act suite of reforms, advance statements are designed to convey an individuals' preferences for treatment during times when the ability to communicate or make decisions may be impaired. This study investigated Victorian mental health clinicians' knowledge and attitudes of advance statements as well as their experience with training and implementation. We used an online Qualtrics survey of Victorian mental health clinicians (n = 190) to achieve this aim. Instrument validity was determined using the Content Validity Index (CVI) with field experts rating each item for relevance. A value of 80% or higher was sought and computed for each individual item on the scale, as well as for the overall scale. The Cronbach's Alpha coefficient was conducted to determine internal consistency reliability with a value of α = 0.721 for the survey, suggesting that the scale had acceptable internal consistency and reliability. Despite widespread support and positive attitudes towards advance statements existing among mental health clinician participants, the level of knowledge and perception of barriers continues to significantly affect the wide-spread uptake of advance statements. The quality and extent of training in legal and clinical aspects of advance statement varied widely among the study participants, with the quality and benefits of the training affecting participant reported confidence level as well as their practical experience with advance statements. Three recommendations can be made: that advance statements are embed into routine mental health practice to identify individuals who have existing advance statements and support those who do not to prepare one; that regular co-produced and facilitated training be provided to increase understanding, promotion, and overall use and uptake of advance statements; and finally, for local mental health service to develop a culture for positive engagement and promotion of autonomy through inclusive practices around decision-making.
Topics: Adult; Behavior Control; Female; Humans; Male; Mental Disorders; Mental Health; Patient Isolation
PubMed: 35592928
DOI: 10.1111/inm.13022 -
Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing 2021Although Delphi studies in Western countries have provided a consensus for practices pertaining to advance care planning (ACP), their findings may not be applicable to... (Review)
Review
Although Delphi studies in Western countries have provided a consensus for practices pertaining to advance care planning (ACP), their findings may not be applicable to Asian countries with distinct, family-oriented cultures. This systematic review aimed to synthesize the definitions of and evidence for ACP and analyze recommended practices in Japan. We conducted a systematic review using narrative synthesis in December 2018. Key words were searched from Ichushi-Web by NPO Japan Medical Abstracts Society, Citation Information by the National Institute of Informatics, and Japanese Institutional Repositories Online databases. In addition, in August 2019, we conducted hand searching using Google Scholar and Google. We included original Japanese articles that addressed factors regarding ACP (e.g. definitions, elements, roles and tasks, and timing of ACP). Data were synthesized using thematic analysis. The study protocol was registered prospectively (PROSPERO: CRD42020152391). Of the 3,512 studies screened, 27 were included: 22 quantitative and 5 qualitative. Five-position statements/guidelines were added by hand searching. Definitions and several distinct practice patterns of ACP and the importance of families' roles were identified. Unique recommendations addressed the importance of properly eliciting patients' preferences that are the best for both patients and families, engaging the public to raise awareness of ACP, and developing policies and guidelines for ACP. We identified the definition of and unique recommendations for ACP based on Japanese cultural values and norms. Further research is needed to evaluate the recommendations provided in this systematic review.
PubMed: 34790847
DOI: 10.4103/apjon.apjon-2137