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Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy Aug 2022The perinatal period in schizophrenia is associated with high risk of psychotic relapse and pregnancy/child outcomes. The extent to which antipsychotics may potentially...
INTRODUCTION
The perinatal period in schizophrenia is associated with high risk of psychotic relapse and pregnancy/child outcomes. The extent to which antipsychotics may potentially affect the fetus or the child development is unclear and debated. Even though guidelines have been developed, there is a lack of consensual recommendations regarding the optimal strategy to manage schizophrenia during the perinatal period.
AREAS COVERED
This systematic review describes the current state of evidence with respect to the impact of recommended interventions for schizophrenia during the perinatal period, including childbearing age, pregnancy, and post-partum. It compares recent international treatment guidelines for this specific group of women. Last, this review presents a set of major points to be discussed with patients and relatives for shared-decision making and a summary of key recommendations from the international guidelines.
EXPERT OPINION
Although treatment guidelines may be of significant help, discrepancies exist across them regarding the management of antipsychotics for schizophrenia women during the perinatal period. Shared decision-making and advance directives represent useful patient-centered approaches during this specific period. Further cohort-based evidence is needed to better identify maternal and fetal risks associated to antipsychotic treatment exposure.
Topics: Antipsychotic Agents; Child; Female; Humans; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Schizophrenia
PubMed: 35835161
DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2022.2102421 -
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 -
Oncology Nursing Forum Jan 2022In East Asian cultural contexts, advance directive (AD) and advance care planning (ACP) discussions are generally challenging given patients' unawareness of...
PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
In East Asian cultural contexts, advance directive (AD) and advance care planning (ACP) discussions are generally challenging given patients' unawareness of decision-making rights.
LITERATURE SEARCH
Selected databases were searched for articles published from January 2000 to December 2020.
DATA EVALUATION
21 studies were included and appraised with Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Systematic Review Checklist.
SYNTHESIS
Five themes emerged.
IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH
Future research should focus on developing a culturally appropriate AD and ACP communication framework.
Topics: Advance Care Planning; Advance Directives; Asian People; Communication; Humans
PubMed: 34914684
DOI: 10.1188/22.ONF.58-70 -
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 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Sep 2021Dementia is a chronic, progressive and ultimately fatal neurodegenerative disease. Advanced dementia is characterised by profound cognitive impairment, inability to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Dementia is a chronic, progressive and ultimately fatal neurodegenerative disease. Advanced dementia is characterised by profound cognitive impairment, inability to communicate verbally and complete functional dependence. Usual care of people with advanced dementia is not underpinned universally by a palliative approach. Palliative care has focused traditionally on care of people with cancer, but for more than a decade, there have been calls worldwide to extend palliative care services to include all people with life-limiting illnesses in need of specialist care, including people with dementia. This review is an updated version of a review first published in 2016.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effect of palliative care interventions in advanced dementia.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched ALOIS, the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group's Specialised Register on 7 October 2020. ALOIS contains records of clinical trials identified from monthly searches of several major healthcare databases, trial registries and grey literature sources. We ran additional searches across MEDLINE (OvidSP), Embase (OvidSP), four other databases and two trial registries on 7 October 2020 to ensure that the searches were as comprehensive and as up-to-date as possible.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We searched for randomised (RCTs) and non-randomised controlled trials (nRCTs), controlled before-and-after studies and interrupted time series studies evaluating the impact of palliative care interventions for adults with advanced dementia of any type. Participants could be people with advanced dementia, their family members, clinicians or paid care staff. We included clinical interventions and non-clinical interventions. Comparators were usual care or another palliative care intervention. We did not exclude studies based on outcomes measured.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
At least two review authors (SW, EM, PC) independently assessed all potential studies identified in the search against the review inclusion criteria. Two authors independently extracted data from eligible studies. Where appropriate, we estimated pooled treatment effects in a fixed-effect meta-analysis. We assessed the risk of bias of included studies using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and the overall certainty of the evidence for each outcome using GRADE.
MAIN RESULTS
Nine studies (2122 participants) met the review inclusion criteria. Two studies were individually-randomised RCTs, six were cluster-randomised RCTs and one was a controlled before-and-after study. We conducted two separate comparisons: organisation and delivery of care interventions versus usual care (six studies, 1162 participants) and advance care planning interventions versus usual care (three studies, 960 participants). Two studies were carried out in acute hospitals and seven in nursing homes or long-term care facilities. For both comparisons, we found the included studies to be sufficiently similar to conduct meta-analyses. Changes to the organisation and delivery of care for people with advanced dementia may increase comfort in dying (MD 1.49, 95% CI 0.34 to 2.64; 5 studies, 335 participants; very low certainty evidence). However, the evidence is very uncertain and unlikely to be clinically significant. These changes may also increase the likelihood of having a palliative care plan in place (RR 5.84, 95% CI 1.37 to 25.02; 1 study, 99 participants; I = 0%; very low certainty evidence), but again the evidence is very uncertain. Such interventions probably have little effect on the use of non-palliative interventions (RR 1.11, 95% CI 0.71 to 1.72; 2 studies, 292 participants; I = 0%; moderate certainty evidence). They may also have little or no effect on documentation of advance directives (RR 1.46, 95% CI 0.50 to 4.25; 2 studies, 112 participants; I = 52%; very low certainty evidence), or whether discussions take place about advance care planning (RR 1.08, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.18; 1 study, 193 participants; I = 0%; very low certainty evidence) and goals of care (RR 2.36, 95% CI 1.00 to 5.54; 1 study, 13 participants; I = 0%; low certainty evidence). No included studies assessed adverse effects. Advance care planning interventions for people with advanced dementia probably increase the documentation of advance directives (RR 1.23, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.41; 2 studies, 384; moderate certainty evidence) and the number of discussions about goals of care (RR 1.33, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.59; 2 studies, 384 participants; moderate certainty evidence). They may also slightly increase concordance with goals of care (RR 1.39, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.79; 1 study, 63 participants; low certainty evidence). On the other hand, they may have little or no effect on perceived symptom management (MD -1.80, 95% CI -6.49 to 2.89; 1 study, 67 participants; very low certainty evidence) or whether advance care planning discussions occur (RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.24; 1 study, 67 participants; low certainty evidence).
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
The evidence on palliative care interventions in advanced dementia is limited in quantity and certainty. When compared to usual care, changes to the organisation and delivery of care for people with advanced dementia may lead to improvements in comfort in dying, but the evidence for this was of very low certainty. Advance care planning interventions, compared to usual care, probably increase the documentation of advance directives and the occurrence of discussions about goals of care, and may also increase concordance with goals of care. We did not detect other effects. The uncertainty in the evidence across all outcomes in both comparisons is mainly driven by imprecision of effect estimates and risk of bias in the included studies.
Topics: Adult; Bias; Dementia; Family; Humans; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Palliative Care; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 34582034
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011513.pub3 -
Journal of the American Geriatrics... Dec 2021Despite its widespread implementation, it is unclear whether Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) are safe and improve the delivery of care that...
BACKGROUND
Despite its widespread implementation, it is unclear whether Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) are safe and improve the delivery of care that patients desire. We sought to systematically review the influence of POLST on treatment intensity among patients with serious illness and/or frailty.
METHODS
We performed a systematic review of POLST and similar programs using MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database for Systematic Reviews, and PsycINFO, from inception through February 28, 2020. We included adults with serious illness and/or frailty with life expectancy <1 year. Primary outcomes included place of death and receipt of high-intensity treatment (i.e., hospitalization in the last 30- and 90-days of life, ICU admission in the last 30-days of life, and number of care setting transitions in last week of life).
RESULTS
Among 104,554 patients across 20 observational studies, 27,090 had POLST. No randomized controlled trials were identified. The mean age of POLST users was 78.7 years, 55.3% were female, and 93.0% were white. The majority of POLST users (55.3%) had orders for comfort measures only. Most studies showed that, compared to full treatment orders on POLST, treatment limitations were associated with decreased in-hospital death and receipt of high-intensity treatment, particularly in pre-hospital settings. However, in the acute care setting, a sizable number of patients likely received POLST-discordant care. The overall strength of evidence was moderate based on eight retrospective cohort studies of good quality that showed a consistent, similar direction of outcomes with moderate-to-large effect sizes.
CONCLUSION
We found moderate strength of evidence that treatment limitations on POLST may reduce treatment intensity among patients with serious illness. However, the evidence base is limited and demonstrates potential unintended consequences of POLST. We identify several important knowledge gaps that should be addressed to help maximize benefits and minimize risks of POLST.
Topics: Advance Directives; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Critical Care; Critical Illness; Female; Frailty; Humans; Life Support Care; Male; Observational Studies as Topic; Terminal Care
PubMed: 34549418
DOI: 10.1111/jgs.17447 -
Worldviews on Evidence-based Nursing Oct 2021Advance care planning (ACP) refers to a process of discussions between professionals, patients, and their families, which allows the patient to define and communicate... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Advance care planning (ACP) refers to a process of discussions between professionals, patients, and their families, which allows the patient to define and communicate their care and treatment preferences. Understanding the barriers to advance care planning is the first step on the way to overcoming them and to improving person-centred care and attention.
AIMS
To identify the barriers perceived by professionals, patients, and family members when implementing ACP in a clinical context and to analyse the methodological quality of the evidence.
METHODS
An umbrella review guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute and a systematic review in accordance with PRISMA 2015 were utilized. Data were obtained from MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, The Joanna Briggs Institute, CINAHL, Scopus, and EMBASE in November 2018.
RESULTS
Fourteen systematic reviews were included. The main barriers reported by professionals were lack of knowledge and skills to carry out ACP, a certain fear of starting conversations about ACP, and a lack of time for discussions. Patients and family members considered that the main barriers were fear of discussing their relative's end of life, lack of ability to carry out ACP, and not knowing who was responsible for initiating conversations about ACP.
LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION
This review has examined the barriers presented by health professionals, patients, and family members, so that future lines of research can develop preventive or decisive measures that encourage the implementation of ACP in health care.
Topics: Advance Care Planning; Delivery of Health Care; Evidence-Based Practice; Family; Health Personnel; Humans
PubMed: 34506051
DOI: 10.1111/wvn.12530 -
Worldviews on Evidence-based Nursing Dec 2021Adolescents have autonomous views and participatory rights. There is increasing support for involving adolescents with cancer in the healthcare decision-making process. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Adolescents have autonomous views and participatory rights. There is increasing support for involving adolescents with cancer in the healthcare decision-making process.
AIMS
The purpose of this study was to synthesize current knowledge to identify major components and outcomes of interventions to enhance shared decision-making (SDM) by adolescents with cancer during and after treatment.
METHODS
Six electronic databases (PubMed, CINHAL, MEDLINE, Cochrane, EBSCO, and Web of Science) were searched from their inceptions to February 2020. Eligibility criteria were intervention studies, studies of interventions to support adolescents with cancer involved in SDM, and studies of patients diagnosed with cancer between 10 and 18 years of age. Data extraction and quality appraisal were conducted by using a standardized data extraction form. Quality appraisal was based on the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool.
RESULTS
Of 331 citations, five studies with a total of 648 participants aged between 13 and 21 years met inclusion criteria. Interventions included structured sessions held one to three times per week. SDM engagement strategies incorporated weekly assignments, live action videos, brochures, Five Wishes advance directives, and follow-up counseling. Treatment preference congruence in adolescent and parent dyads was higher in intervention groups. Meta-analysis was performed on two studies and demonstrated statistically significant improvements in decision quality at 6 months (z = 3.37, p = .001; 95% CI = .174-.657) and 12 months (z = 3.17, p = .002; 95% CI = .150-.633) after SDM interventions in adolescent cancer survivors. No adverse events among patients were found, although anxiety scores increased in families in an intervention group.
LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION
This review identified essential components of SDM interventions. Our findings may guide the future design of interventions to support high-quality decision-making by adolescents with cancer. Coaching can educate adolescent cancer survivors on quality decision-making methods and can improve the quality of consequent decisions. More research is needed to determine outcomes of SDM interventions.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Decision Making; Humans; Neoplasms; Parents; Patient Participation; Young Adult
PubMed: 34291849
DOI: 10.1111/wvn.12522 -
Resuscitation Oct 2021To synthesize the current evidence examining the association between frailty and a series of post-arrest outcomes following the provision of cardiopulmonary... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
To synthesize the current evidence examining the association between frailty and a series of post-arrest outcomes following the provision of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
DATA SOURCES
We searched MEDLINE, PubMed (exclusive of MEDLINE), EMBASE, CINAHL, and Web of Science from inception to August 2020 for observational studies that examined an association between frailty and post-arrest health outcomes, including in-hospital and post-discharge mortality. We conducted citation tracking for all eligible studies.
STUDY SELECTION
Our search yielded 20,480 citations after removing duplicate records. We screened titles, abstracts and full-texts independently and in duplicate.
DATA EXTRACTION
The prognosis research strategy group (PROGRESS) and the critical appraisal and data extraction for systematic review of prediction modelling studies (CHARMS) guidelines were followed. Study and outcome-specific risk of bias were assessed using the Quality in Prognosis Studies (QUIPS) instrument. We rated the certainty of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) recommendations for prognostic factor research.
DATA SYNTHESIS
Four studies were included in this review and three were eligible for statistical pooling. Our sample comprised 1,134 persons who experienced in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA). The mean age of the sample was 71 years. The study results were pooled according to the specific frailty instrument. Three studies used the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) and adjusted age (our minimum confounder); the presence of frailty was associated with an approximate three-fold increase in the odds of dying in-hospital after IHCA (aOR = 2.93; 95% CI = 2.43-3.53, high certainty). Frailty was also associated with decreased incidence of ROSC (return of spontaneous circulation) and discharge home following IHCA. One study with high risk of bias used the Hospital Frailty Risk Score and reported a 43% decrease in the odds of discharge home for patients with frailty following IHCA.
CONCLUSION
High certainty evidence was found for an association between frailty and in-hospital mortality following IHCA. Frailty is a robust prognostic factor that contributes valuable information and can inform shared-decision making and policies surrounding advance care directives. Registration: PROSPERO Registration # CRD42020212922.
Topics: Aftercare; Aged; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; Frailty; Heart Arrest; Humans; Patient Discharge; Prognosis
PubMed: 34166743
DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2021.06.009 -
Journal of Gerontological Nursing May 2021Racial/ethnic minority older adults in the United States often experience access, language, and cultural barriers to advance care planning. For the current study, a...
Racial/ethnic minority older adults in the United States often experience access, language, and cultural barriers to advance care planning. For the current study, a systematic review was conducted to summarize and appraise the current science on community-based interventions aimed at increasing advance care planning in racial/ethnic minority older adults. Five articles met the inclusion criteria, which represented four unique interventions in Asian American ( = 2) and Hispanic ( = 2) communities. Two interventions were nurse-led workshops and two were one-onone social worker-led sessions. Outcomes measured were intention to or completion of advance directive or advance care planning discussion; and improvement in advance directive knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and comfort related to advance care planning. Interventions increased intention to or completion of advance directives and improved advance care planning knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes. Results were inconclusive regarding promoting advance care planning discussions. Further research is needed to address the diverse needs of racial/ethnic minority older adults and barriers to advance care planning. [(5), 26-36.].
Topics: Advance Care Planning; Advance Directives; Aged; Asian; Hispanic or Latino; Humans; Minority Groups; United States
PubMed: 34039091
DOI: 10.3928/00989134-20210407-05