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Alminoja A, Piili RP, Hinkka H, Metsänoja R, Hirvonen O, Tyynelä-Korhonen K, Kaleva-Kerola J, Saarto T, Kellokumpu-Lehtinen PLI, Lehto JT. Does Decision-making in End-of-life Care Differ Between Graduating Medical Students and Experienced Physicians? In Vivo 2019; 33:903-909. [PMID: 31028215 PMCID: PMC6559926 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.11557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Appropriate decision-making in end-of-life (EOL) care is essential for both junior and senior physicians. The aim of this study was to compare the decision-making and attitudes of medical students with those of experienced general practitioners (GP) regarding EOL-care. MATERIALS AND METHODS A questionnaire presenting three cancer patient scenarios concerning decisions and ethical aspects of EOL-care was offered to 500 Finnish GPs and 639 graduating medical students in 2015-2016. RESULTS Responses were received from 222 (47%) GPs and 402 (63%) students. The GPs withdrew antibiotics (p<0.001) and nasogastric tubes (p=0.007) and withheld resuscitation (p<0.001), blood transfusions (p=0.002) and pleural drainage (p<0.001) more often than did the students. The students considered euthanasia and assisted suicide less reprehensible (p<0.001 in both) than did the GPs. CONCLUSION Medical students were more unwilling to withhold and withdraw therapies in EOL-care than were the GPs, but the students considered euthanasia less reprehensible. Medical education should include aspects of decision-making in EOL-care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksi Alminoja
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Reetta P Piili
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- Department of Oncology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Heikki Hinkka
- Rehabilitation Center Apila (ret.), Kangasala, Finland
| | - Riina Metsänoja
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Outi Hirvonen
- Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Turku University Hospital, and Department of Clinical Oncology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | | | | | - Tiina Saarto
- Helsinki University Hospital, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Palliative Care and Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pirkko-Liisa I Kellokumpu-Lehtinen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- Department of Oncology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Juho T Lehto
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- Department of Oncology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
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Gyllström Krekula L, Forinder U, Tibell A. What do people agree to when stating willingness to donate? On the medical interventions enabling organ donation after death. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0202544. [PMID: 30142168 PMCID: PMC6108459 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose of the study The purpose of this study is to explore donor relatives’ experiences of the medical interventions enabling organ donation, as well as to examine the donor relatives’ attitudes towards donating their own organs, and whether or not their experiences have influenced their own inclination to donate. Methods The experiences of donor relatives were explored via in-depth interviews. The interviews covered every step from the deceased family member being struck by a severe bleeding in the brain till after the organ recovery, including the medical interventions enabling organ donation. The interviews were analysed through qualitative and quantitative content analysis. Results Brain death and organ donation proved to be hard to understand for many donor relatives. The prolonged interventions provided after death in order to enable organ donation misled some relatives to believe that their family member still was alive. In general, the understanding for what treatment aimed at saving the family member and what interventions aimed at maintaining organ viability was low. However, most donor relatives were either inspired to, or reinforced in their willingness to, donate their own organs after having experienced the loss of a family member who donated organs. Conclusions There is a need for greater transparency regarding the whole chain of events during the donation process. Yet, having experienced the donation process closely did not discourage the donor relatives from donating their own organs–but rather inspired a willingness to donate. This indicates an acceptance of the medical procedures necessary in order to enable organ donation after death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Gyllström Krekula
- Function area—Social Work in Health Care, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden, Department of Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics (LIME), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- * E-mail:
| | - Ulla Forinder
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; University of Gävle, Department of Social Work and Psychology, Gävle, Sweden
| | - Annika Tibell
- Program Management Office (PMO), New Karolinska, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden, Department of Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics (LIME), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Piili RP, Lehto JT, Luukkaala T, Hinkka H, Kellokumpu-Lehtinen PLI. Does special education in palliative medicine make a difference in end-of-life decision-making? BMC Palliat Care 2018; 17:94. [PMID: 30021586 PMCID: PMC6052558 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-018-0349-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2017] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Characteristics of the physician influence the essential decision-making in end-of-life care. However, the effect of special education in palliative medicine on different aspects of decision-making in end-of-life care remains unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the decision-making in end-of-life care among physicians with or without special competency in palliative medicine (cPM). Methods A questionnaire including an advanced lung cancer patient-scenario with multiple decision options in end-of-life care situation was sent to 1327 Finnish physicians. Decisions to withdraw or withhold ten life-prolonging interventions were asked on a scale from 1 (definitely would not) to 5 (definitely would) – first, without additional information and then after the family’s request for aggressive treatment and the availability of an advance directive. Values from chronological original scenario, family’s appeal and advance directive were clustered by trajectory analysis. Results We received 699 (53%) responses. The mean values of the ten answers in the original scenario were 4.1 in physicians with cPM, 3.4 in general practitioners, 3.4 in surgeons, 3.5 in internists and 3.8 in oncologists (p < 0.05 for physicians with cPM vs. oncologists and p < 0.001 for physicians with cPM vs. others). Younger age and not being an oncologist or not having cPM increased aggressive treatment decisions in multivariable logistic regression analysis. The less aggressive approach of physicians with cPM differed between therapies, being most striking concerning intravenous hydration, nasogastric tube and blood transfusions. The aggressive approach increased by the family’s request (p < 0.001) and decreased by an advance directive (p < 0.001) in all physicians, regardless of special education in palliative medicine. Conclusion Physicians with special education in palliative medicine make less aggressive decisions in end-of-life care. The impact of specialty on decision-making varies among treatment options. Education in end-of-life care decision-making should be mandatory for young physicians and those in specialty training. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12904-018-0349-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reetta P Piili
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland. .,Department of Oncology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland. .,Department of Oncology, Tampere University Hospital, Palliative Care Unit, Teiskontie 35, R-building, 33520, Tampere, Finland.
| | - Juho T Lehto
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.,Department of Oncology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Tiina Luukkaala
- Research and Innovation Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.,Health Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | | | - Pirkko-Liisa I Kellokumpu-Lehtinen
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.,Department of Oncology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Relatives of intensive care unit patients who lack or have reduced capacity to consent are entitled to information and participation in decision-making together with the patient. Practice varies with legislation in different countries. In Norway, crucial decisions such as withdrawing treatment are made by clinicians, usually morally justified to relatives with reference to the principle of non-maleficence. The relatives should, however, be consulted about whether they know what the patient would have wished in the situation. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES: To examine and describe relatives' experiences of responsibility in the intensive care unit decision-making process. RESEARCH DESIGN: A secondary analysis of interviews with bereaved relatives of intensive care unit patients was performed, using a narrative analytical approach. PARTICIPANTS AND RESEARCH CONTEXT: In all, 27 relatives of 21 deceased intensive care unit patients were interviewed about their experiences from the end-of-life decision-making process. Most interviews took place in the participants' homes, 3-12 months after the patient's death. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS: Based on informed consent, the study was approved by the Data Protection Official of the Norwegian Social Science Data Services and by the Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics. FINDINGS: The results show that intensive care unit relatives experienced a sense of responsibility in the decision-making process, independently of clinicians' intention of sparing them. Some found this troublesome. Three different variants of participation were revealed, ranging from paternalism to a more active role for relatives. DISCUSSION: For the study participants, the sense of responsibility reflects the fact that ethics and responsibility are grounded in the individual's relationship to other people. Relatives need to be included in a continuous dialogue over time to understand decisions and responsibility. CONCLUSION: Nurses and physicians should acknowledge and address relatives' sense of responsibility, include them in regular dialogue and help them separate their responsibility from that of the clinicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranveig Lind
- UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Norway; University Hospital of North Norway, Norway
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Bjørshol CA, Sollid S, Flaatten H, Hetland I, Mathiesen WT, Søreide E. Great variation between ICU physicians in the approach to making end-of-life decisions. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 2016; 60:476-84. [PMID: 26941116 DOI: 10.1111/aas.12640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2015] [Revised: 09/07/2015] [Accepted: 09/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION End-of-life (EOL) decision-making in the intensive care unit (ICU) is difficult, but is rarely practiced in simulated settings. We wanted to explore different strategies ICU physicians use when making EOL decisions, and whether attitudes towards EOL decisions differ between a small-group simulation setting and a large-group plenary setting. METHODS The study took place during a Scandinavian anaesthesiology and intensive care conference. The simulated ICU patient had a cancer disease with a grave prognosis, had undergone surgery, suffered from severe co-morbidities and had a son present demanding all possible treatment. The participants were asked to make a decision regarding further ICU care. We presented the same case scenario in a plenary session with voting opportunities. RESULTS In the simulation group (n = 48), ICU physicians used various strategies to come to an EOL decision: patient-oriented, family-oriented, staff-oriented and regulatory-oriented. The simulation group was more willing than the plenary group (n = 47) to readmit the patient to the ICU if the patient again would need respiratory support (32% vs. 8%, P < 0.001). Still, fewer participants in the simulation group than in the plenary group (21% vs. 38%, P = 0.019) considered the patient's life expectancy of living an independent life to be over 10%. CONCLUSION There was great variation between ICU physicians in the approach to making EOL decisions, and large variations in their life expectancy estimates. Participants in the simulation group were more willing to admit and readmit the patient to the ICU, despite being more pessimistic towards life expectancies. We believe simulation can be used more extensively in EOL decision-making training.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. A. Bjørshol
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care; Stavanger University Hospital; Stavanger Norway
- Stavanger Acute Medicine Foundation for Education and Research; Stavanger University Hospital; Stavanger Norway
- Department of Clinical Medicine; University of Bergen; Bergen Norway
| | - S. Sollid
- Department of Research and Development; Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation; Drøbak Norway
- Department of Health Care Sciences; University of Stavanger; Stavanger Norway
| | - H. Flaatten
- Department of Clinical Medicine; University of Bergen; Bergen Norway
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care; Haukeland University Hospital; Bergen Norway
| | - I. Hetland
- Stavanger Acute Medicine Foundation for Education and Research; Stavanger University Hospital; Stavanger Norway
| | - W. T. Mathiesen
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care; Stavanger University Hospital; Stavanger Norway
| | - E. Søreide
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care; Stavanger University Hospital; Stavanger Norway
- Stavanger Acute Medicine Foundation for Education and Research; Stavanger University Hospital; Stavanger Norway
- Department of Clinical Medicine; University of Bergen; Bergen Norway
- Department of Health Care Sciences; University of Stavanger; Stavanger Norway
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Druml C, Ballmer PE, Druml W, Oehmichen F, Shenkin A, Singer P, Soeters P, Weimann A, Bischoff SC. ESPEN guideline on ethical aspects of artificial nutrition and hydration. Clin Nutr 2016; 35:545-56. [PMID: 26923519 DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2016.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Revised: 01/28/2016] [Accepted: 02/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The worldwide debate over the use of artificial nutrition and hydration remains controversial although the scientific and medical facts are unequivocal. Artificial nutrition and hydration are a medical intervention, requiring an indication, a therapeutic goal and the will (consent) of the competent patient. METHODS The guideline was developed by an international multidisciplinary working group based on the main aspects of the Guideline on "Ethical and Legal Aspects of Artificial Nutrition" published 2013 by the German Society for Nutritional Medicine (DGEM) after conducting a review of specific current literature. The text was extended and introduced a broader view in particular on the impact of culture and religion. The results were discussed at the ESPEN Congress in Lisbon 2015 and accepted in an online survey among ESPEN members. RESULTS The ESPEN Guideline on Ethical Aspects of Artificial Nutrition and Hydration is focused on the adult patient and provides a critical summary for physicians and caregivers. Special consideration is given to end of life issues and palliative medicine; to dementia and to specific situations like nursing care or the intensive care unit. The respect for autonomy is an important focus of the guideline as well as the careful wording to be used in the communication with patients and families. The other principles of Bioethics like beneficence, non-maleficence and justice are presented in the context of artificial nutrition and hydration. In this respect the withholding and withdrawing of artificial nutrition and/or hydration is discussed. Due to increasingly multicultural societies and the need for awareness of different values and beliefs an elaborated chapter is dedicated to cultural and religious issues and nutrition. Last but not least topics like voluntary refusal of nutrition and fluids, and forced feeding of competent persons (persons on hunger strike) is included in the guideline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Druml
- UNESCO Chair on Bioethics at the Medical University of Vienna, Collections and History of Medicine - Josephinum, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringerstrasse 25, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Peter E Ballmer
- Department of Medicine, Kantonsspital Winterthur, Brauerstrasse 15, Postfach 834, 8401 Winterthur, Switzerland.
| | - Wilfred Druml
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Frank Oehmichen
- Department of Early Rehabilitation, Klinik Bavaria Kreischa, An der Wolfsschlucht 1-2, 01731 Kreischa, Germany.
| | - Alan Shenkin
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Duncan Building, Daulby Street, Liverpool L69 3GA, UK.
| | - Pierre Singer
- Department of General Intensive Care and Institute for Nutrition Research, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Hospital, Petah Tikva, Jean Leven Building, 6th Floor, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | - Peter Soeters
- Department of Surgery, Academic Hospital Maastricht, Peter Debeyelaan 25, P.O. Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Arved Weimann
- Department of General Surgery and Surgical Intensive Care, St Georg Hospital, Delitzscher Straße 141, 04129 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Stephan C Bischoff
- Department of Nutritional Medicine, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstr. 12, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany.
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Joynt GM, Lipman J, Hartog C, Guidet B, Paruk F, Feldman C, Kissoon N, Sprung CL. The Durban World Congress Ethics Round Table IV: health care professional end-of-life decision making. J Crit Care 2014; 30:224-30. [PMID: 25454075 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrc.2014.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2014] [Revised: 10/11/2014] [Accepted: 10/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION When terminal illness exists, it is common clinical practice worldwide to withhold (WH) or withdraw (WD) life-sustaining treatments. Systematic documentation of professional opinion and perceived practice similarities and differences may allow recommendations to be developed. MATERIALS AND METHODS Speakers from invited faculty of the World Federation of Societies of Intensive and Critical Care Medicine Congress that took place in Durban (2013), with an interest in ethics, were approached to participate in an ethics round table. Key domains of health care professional end-of-life decision making were defined, explored by discussion, and then questions related to current practice and opinion developed and subsequently answered by round-table participants to establish the presence or absence of agreement. RESULTS Agreement was established for the desirability for early goal-of-care discussions and discussions between health care professionals to establish health care provider consensus and confirmation of the grounds for WH/WD, before holding formal WH/WD discussions with patients/surrogates. Nurse and other health care professional involvement were common in most but not all countries/regions. Principles and practical triggers for initiating discussions on WH/WD, such as multiorgan failure, predicted short-term survival, and predicted poor neurologic outcome, were identified. CONCLUSIONS There was majority agreement for many but not all statements describing health care professional end-of-life decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin M Joynt
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong.
| | | | - Christiane Hartog
- Center for Sepsis Control and Care, University of Jena, Jena, Germany
| | | | - Fathima Paruk
- University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Charles Feldman
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Niranjan Kissoon
- BC Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Groselj U, Orazem M, Kanic M, Vidmar G, Grosek S. Experiences of Slovene ICU physicians with end-of-life decision making: a nation-wide survey. Med Sci Monit 2014; 20:2007-12. [PMID: 25335864 PMCID: PMC4214698 DOI: 10.12659/msm.891029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Advances in intensive care medicine have enormously improved ability to successfully treat seriously ill patients. However, intensive treatment and prolongation of life is not always in the patient’s best interest, and many ethical dilemmas arise in end-of-life (EOL) situations. We aimed to assess intensive care unit (ICU) physicians’ experiences with EOL decision making and to compare the responses according to ICU type. Material/Methods A cross-sectional survey was performed in all 35 Slovene ICUs, using a questionnaire designed to assess ICU physician experiences with EOL decision making, focusing on limitations of life-sustaining treatments (LST). Results We distributed 370 questionnaires (approximating the number of Slovene ICU physicians) and 267 were returned (72% response rate). The great majority of ICU physicians reported using do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders (97%), withholding LST (94%), and withdrawing antibiotics (86%) or inotropes (95%). Fewer ICU physicians reported withdrawing mechanical ventilation (52%) or extubating patients (27%). Hydration was reported to be only rarely terminated (76% of participants reported never terminating it). In addition, 63% of participants had never encountered advance directives, and 39% reported to “never” or “rarely” participating in decision making with relatives of patients. Nurses were reported to be “never” or “rarely” involved in the EOL decision making process by 84% of participants. Conclusions Limitation of LST was regularly used by Slovene ICU physicians. DNR orders and withholding of LST were the most commonly used measures. Hydration was only rarely terminated. In addition, use of advance directives was almost non-existent in practice, and the patients’ relatives and nurses only infrequently participated in the decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urh Groselj
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, University Children's Hospital, UMC Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Miha Orazem
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maja Kanic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gaj Vidmar
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Stefan Grosek
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Foss S, Sanner M, Mathisen JR, Eide H. Legers holdninger til organdonasjon. TIDSSKRIFT FOR DEN NORSKE LEGEFORENING 2014; 134:1142-6. [DOI: 10.4045/tidsskr.13.0140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW End-of-life care and communication deficits are important sources of conflicts within ICU teams and with patients or families. This narrative review describes recent studies on how to improve palliative care and surrogate decision-making in ICUs and compares the results with previously published literature on this topic. RECENT FINDINGS Awareness and use of end-of-life recommendations is still low. Education about end-of-life is beneficial for end-of-life decisions. Residency and nurses training programmes start to integrate palliative care education in critical care. Integration of palliative care consults is recommended and probably cost-effective. Projects that promote direct contact of care team members with patients/families may be more likely to improve care than educational interventions for caregivers only. The family's response to critical illness includes adverse psychological outcome ('postintensive care syndrome-family'). Information brochures and structured communication protocols are likely to improve engagement of family members in surrogate decision-making; however, validation of outcome effects of their use is needed. SUMMARY Optimizing palliative care and communication skills is the current challenge in ICU end-of-life care. Intervention strategies should be interdisciplinary, multiprofessional and family-centred in order to quickly reach these goals.
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Gysels M, Evans N, Meñaca A, Andrew E, Toscani F, Finetti S, Pasman HR, Higginson I, Harding R, Pool R. Culture and end of life care: a scoping exercise in seven European countries. PLoS One 2012; 7:e34188. [PMID: 22509278 PMCID: PMC3317929 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0034188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2011] [Accepted: 02/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Culture is becoming increasingly important in relation to end of life (EoL) care in a context of globalization, migration and European integration. We explore and compare socio-cultural issues that shape EoL care in seven European countries and critically appraise the existing research evidence on cultural issues in EoL care generated in the different countries. METHODS We scoped the literature for Germany, Norway, Belgium, The Netherlands, Spain, Italy and Portugal, carrying out electronic searches in 16 international and country-specific databases and handsearches in 17 journals, bibliographies of relevant papers and webpages. We analysed the literature which was unearthed, in its entirety and by type (reviews, original studies, opinion pieces) and conducted quantitative analyses for each country and across countries. Qualitative techniques generated themes and sub-themes. RESULTS A total of 868 papers were reviewed. The following themes facilitated cross-country comparison: setting, caregivers, communication, medical EoL decisions, minority ethnic groups, and knowledge, attitudes and values of death and care. The frequencies of themes varied considerably between countries. Sub-themes reflected issues characteristic for specific countries (e.g. culture-specific disclosure in the southern European countries). The work from the seven European countries concentrates on cultural traditions and identities, and there was almost no evidence on ethnic minorities. CONCLUSION This scoping review is the first comparative exploration of the cultural differences in the understanding of EoL care in these countries. The diverse body of evidence that was identified on socio-cultural issues in EoL care, reflects clearly distinguishable national cultures of EoL care, with differences in meaning, priorities, and expertise in each country. The diverse ways that EoL care is understood and practised forms a necessary part of what constitutes best evidence for the improvement of EoL care in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjolein Gysels
- Barcelona Centre for International Health Research, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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Schwarz ER, Philip KJ, Simsir SA, Czer L, Trento A, Finder SG, Cleenewerck LA. Maximal care considerations when treating patients with end-stage heart failure: ethical and procedural quandaries in management of the very sick. JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2011; 50:872-879. [PMID: 20191322 PMCID: PMC3230758 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-010-9326-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Deciding who should receive maximal technological treatment options and who should not represents an ethical, moral, psychological and medico-legal challenge for health care providers. Especially in patients with chronic heart failure, the ethical and medico-legal issues associated with providing maximal possible care or withholding the same are coming to the forefront. Procedures, such as cardiac transplantation, have strict criteria for adequate candidacy. These criteria for subsequent listing are based on clinical outcome data but also reflect the reality of organ shortage. Lack of compliance and non-adherence to lifestyle changes represent relative contraindications to heart transplant candidacy. Mechanical circulatory support therapy using ventricular assist devices is becoming a more prominent therapeutic option for patients with end-stage heart failure who are not candidates for transplantation, which also requires strict criteria to enable beneficial outcome for the patient. Physicians need to critically reflect that in many cases, the patient's best interest might not always mean pursuing maximal technological options available. This article reflects on the multitude of critical issues that health care providers have to face while caring for patients with end-stage heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernst R Schwarz
- Division of Cardiology, Cedars Sinai Heart Institute, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, 8700 Beverly Boulevard, Suite 6215, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA.
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Jensen HI, Ammentorp J, Erlandsen M, Ording H. Withholding or withdrawing therapy in intensive care units: an analysis of collaboration among healthcare professionals. Intensive Care Med 2011; 37:1696-705. [PMID: 21877211 DOI: 10.1007/s00134-011-2345-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2011] [Accepted: 06/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of the study was to determine the views of intensive care nurses, intensivists, and primary physicians regarding collaboration and other aspects of withholding and withdrawing therapy in the intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS A questionnaire survey was conducted in seven hospitals in the Region of Southern Denmark, including six regional and four university ICUs. Four hundred ninety-five nurses, 135 intensivists, and 146 primary physicians participated in the study. The primary physicians came from two regional hospitals. RESULTS The unified response rate was 84%. "Futile therapy" and "Patient's wish" were for all participants the main reasons for considering withholding or withdrawing therapy. Of primary physicians 63% found their general experience of collaboration very or extremely satisfactory compared to 36% of intensivists and 27% of nurses. Forty-three percent of nurses, 29% of intensivists, and 2% of primary physicians found that decisions regarding withdrawal of therapy were often, very often, or always unnecessarily postponed. Intensivists with ICU as their main workplace were more satisfied with the collaboration and more rarely found that end-of-life decisions were changed or postponed compared to intensivists who did not have ICU as their main workplace. CONCLUSION Nurses, intensivists and primary physicians differ in their perception of collaboration and other aspects of withholding and withdrawing therapy practises at the ICU. Multi-disciplinary patient conferences, nurse involvement in the decision-making process, and guidelines for withholding and withdrawing therapy are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanne Irene Jensen
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Vejle Hospital, (V66), Kabbeltoft 25, 7100 Vejle, Denmark.
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Kübler A, Adamik B, Lipinska-Gediga M, Kedziora J, Strozecki L. End-of-life attitudes of intensive care physicians in Poland: results of a national survey. Intensive Care Med 2011; 37:1290-6. [DOI: 10.1007/s00134-011-2269-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2010] [Accepted: 04/05/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Weng L, Joynt GM, Lee A, Du B, Leung P, Peng J, Gomersall CD, Hu X, Yap HY. Attitudes towards ethical problems in critical care medicine: the Chinese perspective. Intensive Care Med 2011; 37:655-64. [PMID: 21264669 DOI: 10.1007/s00134-010-2124-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2010] [Accepted: 11/16/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Critical care doctors are frequently faced with clinical problems that have important ethical and moral dimensions. While Western attitudes and practice are well documented, little is known of the attitudes or practice of Chinese critical care doctors. METHODS An anonymous, written, structured questionnaire survey was translated from previously reported ethical surveys used in Europe and Hong Kong. A snowball method was used to identify 534 potential participants from 21 regions in China. RESULTS A total of 315 (59%) valid responses were analysed. Most respondents (66%) reported that admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) was commonly limited by bed availability, but most (63%) would admit patients with a poor prognosis to ICU. Only 19% of respondents gave complete information to patients and family, with most providing individually adjusted information, based on prognosis and the recipient's educational level. Only 28% disclosed all details of an iatrogenic incident, despite 62% stating that they should. The use of do not resuscitate orders or limitation of life-sustaining therapy in terminally ill patients reported as uncommon and according to comparable reports, both are more common practice in Hong Kong or Europe. In contrast to European practices, doctors were more acquiescent to families in decision-making at the end of life. CONCLUSIONS A number of differences in ethical attitudes and related behaviour between Chinese, Hong Kong and European ICU doctors were documented. A likely explanation is differing cultural background, and doctors should be aware of likely expectations when treating patients from a different culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Weng
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China
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