Management of end-of-life care and of difficult behaviors associated with borderline personality disorder

End-of-life care for people with severe mental illness: mixed methods systematic review and thematic synthesis of published case studies (the MENLOC study)

OBJECTIVES

People with severe mental illness (SMI) have significant comorbidities and reduced life expectancy. The objective of the review reported in this paper was to synthesise material from case studies relating to the organisation, provision and receipt of care for people with SMI who have an end-of-life (EoL) diagnosis.

DESIGN

Systematic review and thematic synthesis.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, HMIC, AMED, CINAHL, CENTRAL, ASSIA, DARE and Web of Science from inception to December 2019. Supplementary searching for additional material including grey literature along with 62 organisational websites.

RESULTS

Of the 11 904 citations retrieved, 42 papers reporting 51 case studies were identified and are reported here. Twenty-five of the forty-two case study papers met seven, or more quality criteria, with eight meeting half or less. Attributes of case study subjects included that just over half were men, had a mean age of 55 years, psychotic illnesses dominated and the EoL condition was in most cases a cancer. Analysis generated themes as follows diagnostic delay and overshadowing, decision capacity and dilemmas, medical futility, individuals and their networks, care provision.

CONCLUSIONS

In the absence of high-quality intervention studies, this evidence synthesis indicates that cross disciplinary care is supported within the context of established therapeutic relationships. Attention to potential delay and diagnostic overshadowing is required in care provision. The values and preferences of individuals with severe mental illness experiencing an end-of-life condition should be recognised.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42018108988.

Palliative Care for Terminally Ill Individuals With Borderline Personality Disorder

Individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) exhibit persistent patterns of instability in mood, impulse control, self-image, and interpersonal relationships. These issues complicate quality end-of-life care for this population and are of particular concern for hospice and palliative care nurses and health care providers. This article presents case studies of terminally ill individuals with BPD as a series of vignettes that present common clinical issues encountered by the palliative care team. Interventions suggested in the literature as well as approaches used by team members when working with terminally ill individuals with BPD are discussed. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 57(9), 24-31.].