Effects of a primary palliative care intervention on quality of life and mental health in cystic fibrosis
quality of life; anxiety; depression; chronic symptom burden; cystic fibrosis; primary palliative care
BACKGROUND: Despite the significant impact of chronic symptoms on quality of life with cystic fibrosis (CF), the role of palliative care in management of this disease is not well defined. The coping, goal assessment, and relief from evolving CF symptoms (CF-CARES) model is a primary palliative care intervention designed to provide chronic symptom management at all stages of the disease. The goal of this pilot study was to estimate the effectiveness of the CF-CARES intervention on improving chronic symptoms and quality of life for people living with CF. METHODS: A structured assessment was used to guide referral to supportive services intended to address burdensome symptoms. Follow-up assessments were performed approximately 3 and 6 months later. Longitudinal regression analyses of changes in symptoms and quality of life were performed for all participants regardless of utilization of supportive services. Subgroup analyses were performed for subjects participating in mental health and alternative health services. RESULTS: Forty-one subjects completed assessment and referral processes. The mean number of CF-associated symptoms decreased over time, as did respiratory symptom-related distress and depressive symptoms. Subjects utilizing alternative health services reported less psychological distress at follow-up. Among subjects with severe disease, mental health, and quality of life improved, especially for those using mental health services. CONCLUSIONS: The CF-CARES model resulted in significant mental health and quality-of-life benefits, suggesting the value of integrating symptom management interventions into routine CF care. Moreover, mental health services can play a key role in CF-specific primary palliative care, especially for those with advanced disease.
Friedman D; Linnemann RW; Altstein L L; Georgiopoulos AM; Islam S; Bach KT; St John A; Fracchia MS; Neuringer I; Lapey A; Sicilian L; Moskowitz SM; Yonker LM
Pediatric Pulmonology
2019
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1002/ppul.24311" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10.1002/ppul.24311</a>
Chemotherapy-related fatigue in childhood cancer: correlates, consequences, and coping strategies
Child; Humans; Parents; Questionnaires; Adaptation; Psychological; Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects; Fatigue/chemically induced; Neoplasms/drug therapy/psychology
The aim of this research is to examine the experience and impact of chemotherapy-related fatigue in recently diagnosed pediatric oncology patients. A repeated-measures, within-subjects, mixed (quantitative plus qualitative) design was used to prospectively assess fatigue during early chemotherapy cycles and to compare fatigue to depressive symptoms. Parental interviews collected concurrently were analyzed for descriptions of the child's fatigue and mood states and for strategies to cope with fatigue. Results indicated a significant correlation between fatigue and depression, but qualitative analyses suggested that the 2 phenomena may be unique and distinguishable. Qualitative analyses of parent interviews also identified specific strategies that were frequently used in response to high levels of fatigue. The findings illustrate the significant impact of chemotherapy-related fatigue in children being treated for cancer. The study also provides guidance for the assessment of fatigue and related symptoms and identifies specific strategies for coping with fatigue.
2008
Whitsett SF; Gudmundsdottir M; Davies B; McCarthy P; Friedman D
Journal Of Pediatric Oncology Nursing
2008
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
Journal Article
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1177/1043454208315546" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">10.1177/1043454208315546</a>
Advanced care planning in cystic fibrosis
cystic fibrosis; 7782-44-7 (oxygen); chest tube; Child; Clinical Article; comfort; durable power of attorney; Female; Forced Expiratory Volume; hemoptysis; Hospitalization; Human; lifespan; living will; Male; outpatient; oxygen; Palliative therapy; Pilot study; pneumothorax; practice guideline; school child; thinking
Background: Advanced care planning (ACP) is recommended for people with cystic fibrosis (CF). To date, a CF-specific consensus statement that would help CF care teams incorporate ACP into clinical practice has not been developed. Additional research on ACP topics and preferences for optimal implementation is needed to support evidence-based incorporation into routine CF care. Objective: To assess ACP experiences and preferences among individuals with CF in order to inform future interventions aimed at improving ACP in CF. Methods: We surveyed 41 patients with CF aged >=12 years participating in a pilot study of a primary palliative care intervention (Coping, goal Assessment, and Relief from Evolving CF Symptoms [CF-CARES]). We assessed 4 domains of ACP: prior thoughts about ACP, comfort with ACP, preferences for ACP, and prior completion of ACP. We also evaluated the impact of disease severity on certain measures. Severe disease was defined as: Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV<inf>1</inf>) <30%, >=4 CF hospitalizations in past year, ever had pneumothorax requiring chest tube placement, ever had massive hemoptysis/hemoptysis requiring hospitalization, or current home oxygen use. Results: We found that most participants worry about ACP topics: 92% worry about the impact of CF on their lifespan and 84% worry about what living with CF would be like if they were to get sicker. The majority (52%) had thought at least "somewhat" about what their important goals and wishes would be if their health situation were to worsen. Only 37% had specific wishes about the types of medical treatment they would or wouldn't want at end of life. The vast majority of participants reported feeling very comfortable talking with CF providers about ACP topics. However, only 5% reported previously talking to a CF team member about the care they would want if they became too ill to make decisions on their own. Few participants (11%) had completed a durable power of attorney for health care or living will. Participants overall preferred to have ACP discussions initiated by any member of the CF team who knows them well, during a period of stability when generally healthy but meeting a certain threshold (e.g. >=4 hospitalizations per year or FEV<inf>1</inf> <40%), and in the outpatient setting. Severe disease was not statistically associated with subjects' worry about getting sicker, comfort talking to CF providers about ACP, or setting preferences for ACP. Conclusions: Our results support the need for a consistent approach to ACP for CF patients earlier in the illness course when patients are still generally healthy. People with CF appear to worry about ACP topics, but need more support from the CF team to understand and document their ACP choices. Future guidelines on ACP in CF, as well as CF-specific ACP materials for patients, may help ensure that all individuals with CF benefit from ACP..
Linnemann RW; Friedman D; Altstein L; Georgiopoulos A; Islam S; Bach K; St John A; Moskowitz SM; Yonker LM
Pediatric Pulmonology
2017
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1002/ppul.23840" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">10.1002/ppul.23840</a>
Development And Evaluation Of A Palliative Care Curriculum For Cystic Fibrosis Healthcare Providers.
Attitude Of Health Personnel; Curriculum; Cystic Fibrosis/psychology; Cystic Fibrosis/therapy; Disease Management; Female; Health Personnel/education; Health Personnel/psychology; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Needs Assessment; Palliative Care/methods; Palliative Care/psychology; Quality Of Life; Surveys And Questionnaires; Terminal Care/methods; Terminal Care/psychology; United States
Cystic Fibrosis; Education; End-of-life Care; Palliative Care
BACKGROUND:
Primary palliative care refers to basic skills that all healthcare providers can employ to improve quality of life for patients at any stage of disease. Training in these core skills is not commonly provided to clinicians caring for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. The objective of this study was to assess change in comfort with core skills among care team members after participation in CF-specific palliative care training focused on management of burdensome symptoms and difficult conversations.
METHODS:
A qualitative needs assessment was performed to inform the development of an 18-hour curriculum tailored to the chronicity and complexity of CF care. A 32-question pre- and post-course survey assessed CF provider comfort with the targeted palliative care skills in 5 domains using a 5-point Likert scale (1=very uncomfortable, 3=neutral, 5=very comfortable).
RESULTS:
Among course participants (n=16), mean overall comfort score increased by 0.9, from 3 (neutral) to 3.9 (comfortable) (p<0.001). Mean comfort level increased significantly (range 0.8 to 1.4) in each skill domain: use of supportive care resources, pain management, non-pain symptom management, communication, and psychosocial skills.
CONCLUSIONS:
CF-specific palliative care training was well received by participants and significantly improved self-assessed comfort with core skills.
Linnemann RW; O’Malley PJ; Friedman D; Georgiopoulos AM; Buxton D; Altstein
LL
Journal Of Cystic Fibrosis
2016
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcf.2015.03.005