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Journal of the American Medical... Jun 2024To describe the rate, timing, and pattern of changes in advance directives (ADs) of do not resuscitate (DNR) and do not hospitalize (DNH) orders among new admissions to...
OBJECTIVES
To describe the rate, timing, and pattern of changes in advance directives (ADs) of do not resuscitate (DNR) and do not hospitalize (DNH) orders among new admissions to nursing homes (NHs).
DESIGN
A retrospective cohort study.
SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS
Admissions to all publicly funded NHs in Ontario, Canada, between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2017.
METHODS
Residents were followed until discharged from incident NH stay, death, or were still present at the end of study (December 31, 2019). They were categorized into 3 mutually exclusive baseline composite AD groups: Full Code, DNR Only, and DNR+DNH. We used Poisson regression models to estimate the incidence rate ratios of AD change between different AD groups and different decision makers for personal care, adjusted for baseline clinical and sociodemographic variables.
RESULTS
A total of 102,541 NH residents were eligible for inclusion. Residents with at least 1 AD change accounted for 46% of Full Code, 30% of DNR Only, and 25% of DNR+DNH group. Median time to first AD change ranged between 26 and 55 weeks. For Full Code and DNR Only residents, the most frequent change was to an AD 1 level lower in aggressiveness or intervention, whereas for DNR+DNH residents the most frequent change was to DNR Only. About 16% of residents had 2 or more AD changes during their stay. After controlling for covariates, residents with a DNR-only order or DNR+DNH orders at admission and those with a surrogate decision maker were associated with lower AD change rates.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS
Measuring AD adherence rates that are documented only at a particular time often underestimates the dynamics of AD changes during a resident's stay and results in an inaccurate measure of the effectiveness of AD on resident care. There should be more frequent reviews of ADs as they are quite dynamic. Mandatory review after an acute change in a resident's health would ensure that ADs are current.
PubMed: 38885932
DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2024.105090 -
JMIR Aging May 2024Advance care planning (ACP) is a process that involves patients expressing their personal goals, values, and future medical care preferences. Digital applications may...
BACKGROUND
Advance care planning (ACP) is a process that involves patients expressing their personal goals, values, and future medical care preferences. Digital applications may help facilitate this process, though their use in older adults has not been adequately studied.
OBJECTIVE
This pilot study aimed to evaluate the reach, adoption, and usability of Koda Health, a web-based patient-facing ACP platform, among older adults.
METHODS
Older adults (aged 50 years and older) who had an active Epic MyChart account at an academic health care system in North Carolina were recruited to participate. A total of 2850 electronic invitations were sent through MyChart accounts with an embedded hyperlink to the Koda platform. Participants who agreed to participate were asked to complete pre- and posttest surveys before and after navigating through the Koda Health platform. Primary outcomes were reach, adoption, and System Usability Scale (SUS) scores. Exploratory outcomes included ACP knowledge and readiness.
RESULTS
A total of 161 participants enrolled in the study and created an account on the platform (age: mean 63, SD 9.3 years), with 80% (129/161) of these participants going on to complete all steps of the intervention, thereby generating an advance directive. Participants reported minimal difficulty in using the Koda platform, with an overall SUS score of 76.2. Additionally, knowledge of ACP (eg, mean increase from 3.2 to 4.2 on 5-point scale; P<.001) and readiness (eg, mean increase from 2.6 to 3.2 on readiness to discuss ACP with health care provider; P<.001) significantly increased from before to after the intervention.
CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated that the Koda Health platform is feasible, had above-average usability, and improved ACP documentation of preferences in older adults. Our findings indicate that web-based health tools like Koda may help older individuals learn about and feel more comfortable with ACP while potentially facilitating greater engagement in care planning.
Topics: Humans; Advance Care Planning; Pilot Projects; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Feasibility Studies; Aged; North Carolina; Internet-Based Intervention; Internet; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 38845403
DOI: 10.2196/54128 -
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 -
PloS One 2024The All4Children project addresses the urgent need to transition from institutionalization to family-based care for out-of-home children in Portugal. Despite evidence...
BACKGROUND
The All4Children project addresses the urgent need to transition from institutionalization to family-based care for out-of-home children in Portugal. Despite evidence highlighting the detrimental effects of institutionalization, only a small percentage of children (less than 4%) are currently placed in family foster care in the country. In response to European directives for deinstitutionalization, Portuguese legislation now prioritizes non-kinship family foster care as the preferred alternative for young children in need of care. To facilitate this transition, the Integrated Model of Family Foster Care (MIAF) was developed, offering a comprehensive framework covering the entire spectrum of family foster care.
OBJECTIVE
This research aims to investigate the initial implementation stage of the MIAF to promote high-quality family foster care in Portugal.
METHOD
The study will conduct a mixed-method and longitudinal research project in family foster care agencies across different regions of Portugal, focusing on evaluating the implementation and outcomes of the MIAF model using a multi-informant and multi-method approach. The participants will include caseworkers, children aged 0-9 years entering foster care, and their respective foster families enrolled in the MIAF program. Process evaluation will assess fidelity, feasibility, appropriateness, and acceptability of MIAF modules, while outcome evaluation will examine child safety, stability, well-being, as well as foster family well-being and quality of relational care.
OUTCOMES
The insights gained from this research initiative will serve as a foundation for the ongoing enhancement of MIAF. Consequently, this project has the capacity to advance evidence-based child welfare practices by refining processes and strategies to better serve vulnerable children and youth.
CONCLUSION
Facilitated by a multidisciplinary team, this project will contribute to advancing research in the field, enhancing practice, and informing policy during a pivotal stage of deinstitutionalization in Portugal.
Topics: Humans; Portugal; Foster Home Care; Child; Child, Preschool; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Female; Longitudinal Studies
PubMed: 38787886
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304244 -
International Journal of Law and... 2024In 2019, the Council of Europe agreed to urge member states to take steps toward total abolition of psychiatric coercive measures.
BACKGROUND
In 2019, the Council of Europe agreed to urge member states to take steps toward total abolition of psychiatric coercive measures.
AIMS
To test if this aspiration is perceived as realistic and what the alternative would be in the event of a total abolition, we surveyed members of the European FOSTREN network of mental health practitioners and researchers, which is specifically dedicated to exchanging knowledge on reducing psychiatric coercion to its minimum.
METHODS
Web-based survey. Categorical responses were analyzed using frequencies, and free text responses were analyzed through thematic analysis.
RESULTS
In total, out of 167 invitations to FOSTREN network members, 76 responded to the survey (Response Rate 45.5%). A minority (31%) of participating experts dedicated to the reduction of psychiatric coercive measures believed a total abolition to be an achievable goal. A commonly held belief was that total abolition is not achievable because mental health disorders are difficult to treat and may cause violence, necessitating coercion, and there is a need to protect the involved persons from harm. Those responding that complete abolition is achievable argued that the consequences of coercion outweigh any gains and indicated that use of advance directives are sufficient as alternatives to coercion.
CONCLUSION
Of a European group of experts specifically dedicated to the reduction of psychiatric coercion who participated in this questionnaire study, a minority believed a total abolition be an achievable goal. The study adds to the empirical evidence of the feasibility of the aspiration to totally abolish involuntary measures in the mental health services from the perspective of experts.
Topics: Humans; Coercion; Mental Health Services; Europe; Mental Disorders; Surveys and Questionnaires; Feasibility Studies; Male; Female; Adult; Middle Aged; Commitment of Mentally Ill
PubMed: 38763063
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijlp.2024.101992 -
BMC Palliative Care May 2024In order to mitigate the distress associated with life limiting conditions it is essential for all health professionals not just palliative care specialists to identify... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
In order to mitigate the distress associated with life limiting conditions it is essential for all health professionals not just palliative care specialists to identify people with deteriorating health and unmet palliative care needs and to plan care. The SPICT™ tool was designed to assist with this.
AIM
The aim was to examine the impact of the SPICT™ on advance care planning conversations and the extent of its use in advance care planning for adults with chronic life-limiting illness.
METHODS
In this scoping review records published between 2010 and 2024 reporting the use of the SPICT™, were included unless the study aim was to evaluate the tool for prognostication purposes. Databases searched were EBSCO Medline, PubMed, EBSCO CINAHL, APA Psych Info, ProQuest One Theses and Dissertations Global.
RESULTS
From the search results 26 records were reviewed, including two systematic review, two theses and 22 primary research studies. Much of the research was derived from primary care settings. There was evidence that the SPICT™ assists conversations about advance care planning specifically discussion and documentation of advance care directives, resuscitation plans and preferred place of death. The SPICT™ is available in at least eight languages (many versions have been validated) and used in many countries.
CONCLUSIONS
Use of the SPICT™ appears to assist advance care planning. It has yet to be widely used in acute care settings and has had limited use in countries beyond Europe. There is a need for further research to validate the tool in different languages.
Topics: Humans; Palliative Care; Advance Care Planning; Terminal Care
PubMed: 38750464
DOI: 10.1186/s12904-024-01445-z -
Journal of the American Board of Family... 2024Although interventions can increase advance care planning (ACP) engagement, it remains unclear which interventions to choose in primary care settings. This study... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
PURPOSE
Although interventions can increase advance care planning (ACP) engagement, it remains unclear which interventions to choose in primary care settings. This study compares a passive intervention (mailed materials) to an interactive intervention (group visits) on participant ACP engagement and experiences.
METHODS
We used mixed methods to examine ACP engagement at baseline and six months following two ACP interventions. Eligible patients were randomized to receive mailed materials or participate in two ACP group visits. We administered the 4-item ACP Engagement survey (n = 110) and conducted interviews (n = 23). We compared mean scores and percent change in ACP engagement, analyzed interviews with directed content analysis to understand participants' ACP experiences, and integrated the findings based on mailed materials or group visits intervention.
RESULTS
All participants demonstrated increased ACP engagement scores. At six months, group visit participants reported higher percent change in mean overall score compared with mailed materials participants (+8% vs +3%, ). Group visits participants reported that being prompted to think about end-of-life preferences, gaining knowledge about ACP, and understanding the value of completing ACP documentation influenced their ACP readiness. While both interventions encouraged patients to start considering and refining their end-of-life preferences, group visits made patients feel more knowledgeable about ACP, highlighted the importance of completing ACP documentation early, and sparked further ACP discussions with others.
CONCLUSIONS
While primary care patients may benefit from mailed ACP materials, patients reported increased readiness after ACP group visits. Group visits emphasized the value of upstream preparation, ongoing conversations, and increased knowledge about ACP.
Topics: Humans; Advance Care Planning; Male; Female; Aged; Middle Aged; Primary Health Care; Patient Participation; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 38740474
DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2023.230187R2 -
BMC Geriatrics May 2024Advanced age is associated with life-threatening conditions at the end of life. Many of these persons at the end of their lives cannot make decisions because of the...
INTRODUCTION
Advanced age is associated with life-threatening conditions at the end of life. Many of these persons at the end of their lives cannot make decisions because of the variable consciousness. They are able to make decisions and identify their care priorities, in a process called advanced care planning. So, an instrument is required for investigating ACP of the elderly population. This study was performed to determine the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the advanced care planning questionnaire(ACPQ) in elderly population referring to Tehran.
METHOD
This methodological study was performed in five hospitals in 2021-2022. A total of 390 eligible elderlies were included. The psychometric assessment including translation, face validity, content validity were performed Alsothe exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were assessed. Reliability were done by internal consistency by assessing Cronbach alpha and stability was performed using test-retest.
RESULTS
The face validity of the instrument was performed with minor changes. The content validity index for all of the items was above 0.79. In EFA four factors was extracted also CFA showed that the four-factor model has a good fit of the data (RMSEA: 0.04; NFI: 0.97 CFI: 0.99; IFI: 0.99; RFI: 0.96; AGFI: 0.87; GFI 0/90; standardized RMR: 0.02). Cronbach alpha and ICC were 0.72-0.94 and 0.85-0.96, respectively.
CONCLUSION
The Persian version of the advance care planning questionnaire has desirable psychometric properties for measuring the advanced care planning of the elderly population. In addition, healthcare providers in Iran can employ this questionnaire in their practice and research.
Topics: Humans; Psychometrics; Iran; Aged; Male; Female; Surveys and Questionnaires; Aged, 80 and over; Advance Care Planning; Reproducibility of Results; Middle Aged
PubMed: 38711019
DOI: 10.1186/s12877-024-04976-5 -
Resuscitation Jun 2024To assess whether bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) differed by patient sex among bystander-witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA).
PURPOSE
To assess whether bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) differed by patient sex among bystander-witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA).
METHODS
This study is a retrospective analysis of paramedic-attended OHCA in New South Wales (NSW) between January 2017 to December 2019 (restricted to bystander-witnessed cases). Exclusions included OHCA in aged care, medical facilities, with advance care directives, from non-medical causes. Multivariate logistic regression examined the association of patient sex with bystander CPR. Secondary outcomes were OHCA recognition, bystander AED application, initial shockable rhythm, and survival outcomes.
RESULTS
Of 4,491cases, females were less likely to receive bystander CPR in private residential (Adjusted Odds ratio [AOR]: 0.82, 95%CI: 0.70-0.95) and public locations (AOR: 0.58, 95%CI:0.39-0.88). OHCA recognition during the emergency call was lower for females arresting in public locations (84.6% vs 91.6%, p = 0.002) and this partially explained the association of sex with bystander CPR (∼44%). This difference in recognition was not observed in private residential locations (p = 0.2). Bystander AED use was lower for females (4.8% vs 9.6%, p < 0.001); however, after adjustment for location and other covariates, this relationship was no longer significant (AOR: 0.83, 95%CI: 0.60-1.12). Females were less likely to be in an initial shockable rhythm (AOR: 0.52, 95%CI: 0.44-0.61), but more likely to survive the event (AOR: 1.34, 95%CI: 1.15-1.56). There was no sex difference in survival to hospital discharge (AOR: 0.96, 95%CI: 0.77-1.19).
CONCLUSION
OHCA recognition and bystander CPR differ by patient sex in NSW. Research is needed to understand why this difference occurs and to raise public awareness of this issue.
Topics: Humans; Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest; Female; Male; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; Retrospective Studies; New South Wales; Middle Aged; Aged; Sex Factors; Emergency Medical Services; Adult; Defibrillators
PubMed: 38685374
DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2024.110224 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Mar 2024Despite recent advances in resuscitation science, outcomes in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) with initial non-shockable rhythm remains poor. Those... (Review)
Review
Despite recent advances in resuscitation science, outcomes in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) with initial non-shockable rhythm remains poor. Those with initial non-shockable rhythm have some epidemiological features, including the proportion of patients with a witnessed arrest, bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), age, and presumed etiology of cardiac arrest have been reported, which differ from those with initial shockable rhythm. The discussion regarding better end-of-life care for patients with OHCA is a major concern among citizens. As one of the efforts to avoid unwanted resuscitation, advance directive is recognized as a key intervention, safeguarding patient autonomy. However, several difficulties remain in enhancing the effective use of advance directives for patients with OHCA, including local regulation of their use, insufficient utilization of advance directives by emergency medical services at the scene, and a lack of established tools for discussing futility of resuscitation in advance care planning. In addition, prehospital termination of resuscitation is a common practice in many emergency medical service systems to assist clinicians in deciding whether to discontinue resuscitation. However, there are also several unresolved problems, including the feasibility of implementing the rules for several regions and potential missed survivors among candidates for prehospital termination of resuscitation. Further investigation to address these difficulties is warranted for better end-of-life care of patients with OHCA.
Topics: Humans; Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest; Terminal Care; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; Advance Directives; Emergency Medical Services
PubMed: 38674179
DOI: 10.3390/medicina60040533