Engaging the Public to Identify Opportunities to Improve Critical Care: A Qualitative Analysis of an Open Community Forum

Patient and Family Representation in Randomized Clinical Trials Published in 3 Medical and Surgical Journals: A Systematic Review

IMPORTANCE

Patient and family engagement in research may improve the design, conduct, and dissemination of clinical research, but little is known about whether these stakeholder groups are involved in the design and conduct of randomized clinical trials.

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the involvement and role of patient and family representatives in the design and conduct of randomized clinical trials by reviewing randomized clinical trials from 3 peer-reviewed medical and surgical journals with high impact factors.

EVIDENCE REVIEW

In this systematic review, the first 50 consecutive randomized clinical trials published on or after January 1, 2021, until September 30, 2021, from each of 3 medical and surgical journals with high impact factors were reviewed for patient or family involvement in trial design and/or conduct. The manuscript, supplemental data, and trial registry records were searched for trial design and governance structures. Two independent, blinded reviewers screened citations and extracted data. This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

FINDINGS

Only 7 of 150 randomized clinical trials (5%) reported patient or family representation in their study design or conduct. Most studies with patient or family representation (n = 5) were from a single journal. Stakeholder involvement was mainly in the execution phase (n = 7), although in 2 studies stakeholders were also involved in the translation phase.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

The findings of this systematic review suggest that patient or family involvement in the design and conduct of randomized clinical trials in the publications with high impact factors is lacking. We found that when patient or family groups are involved in research, the focus was mainly on the execution phase of research design. There is a need to increase stakeholder involvement in the research design, conduct, and translation of randomized clinical trials.

Patient discharge from intensive care: an updated scoping review to identify tools and practices to inform high-quality care

BACKGROUND

Critically ill patients require complex care and experience unique needs during and after their stay in the intensive care unit (ICU). Discharging or transferring a patient from the ICU to a hospital ward or back to community care (under the care of a general practitioner) includes several elements that may shape patient outcomes and overall experiences. The aim of this study was to answer the question: what elements facilitate a successful, high-quality discharge from the ICU?

METHODS

This scoping review is an update to a review published in 2015. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases from 2013-December 3, 2020 including adult, pediatric, and neonatal populations without language restrictions. Data were abstracted using different phases of care framework models, themes, facilitators, and barriers to the ICU discharge process.

RESULTS

We included 314 articles from 11,461 unique citations. Two-hundred and fifty-eight (82.2%) articles were primary research articles, mostly cohort (118/314, 37.6%) or qualitative (51/314, 16.2%) studies. Common discharge themes across all articles included adverse events, readmission, and mortality after discharge (116/314, 36.9%) and patient and family needs and experiences during discharge (112/314, 35.7%). Common discharge facilitators were discharge education for patients and families (82, 26.1%), successful provider-provider communication (77/314, 24.5%), and organizational tools to facilitate discharge (50/314, 15.9%). Barriers to a successful discharge included patient demographic and clinical characteristics (89/314, 22.3%), healthcare provider workload (21/314, 6.7%), and the impact of current discharge practices on flow and performance (49/314, 15.6%). We identified 47 discharge tools that could be used or adapted to facilitate an ICU discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

Several factors contribute to a successful ICU discharge, with facilitators and barriers present at the patient and family, health care provider, and organizational level. Successful provider-patient and provider-provider communication, and educating and engaging patients and families about the discharge process were important factors in a successful ICU discharge.

A rapid realist review of patient engagement in patient-oriented research and health care system impacts: part one

BACKGROUND

Patient-oriented research affords individuals with opportunities to genuinely contribute to health care research as members of research teams. While checklists and frameworks can support academic researchers' awareness of patient engagement methods, less guidance appears available to support their understanding of how to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with their patient partners. This knowledge is essential as patient partners report that the social atmospheres of research teams significantly impacts the quality of their experiences. This study sought to develop theory regarding how academic researchers support and sustain patient engagement in patient-oriented research.

METHODS

A six-step, rapid realist review was conducted: (1) research question development, (2) preliminary theory development, (3) search strategy development; (4) study selection and appraisal, (4) data extraction, analysis and synthesis (5) identification of relevant formal theories, and (6) theory refinement with stakeholders. Findings were additionally distilled by collective competence theory.

RESULTS

A program theory was developed from 62 international studies which illuminated mechanisms supporting academic researchers to engage patient partners, contexts supporting these mechanisms, and resources that enabled mechanism activation. Interaction between seven contexts (patient-oriented research belief, prior interaction with a healthcare system, prior interaction with a particular academic researcher, educational background of patient partner, prior experience with patient-oriented research, study type, and time lived in a rural-urban setting) and seven mechanisms (deciding to become involved in patient-oriented research, recognizing valuable experiential knowledge, cultural competence, reducing power differentials, respectful team environment, supporting patient partners to feel valued, and readiness to research) resulted in an intermediate outcome (sense of trust). Trust then acted as an eighth mechanism which triggered the final-level outcome (empowered patient-centred lens).

CONCLUSIONS

Our theory posits that if patient partners trust they are a member of a supportive team working alongside academic researchers who authentically want to incorporate their input, then they are empowered to draw upon their experiential knowledge of health care systems and contribute as researchers in patient-oriented research. Our theory extends conceptual thinking regarding the importance of trust on patient-oriented research teams, how patient partners' trust is shaped by team interactions, and the role that academic researchers have within those interactions.

Incorporating and evaluating citizen engagement in health research: a scoping review protocol

BACKGROUND

Citizen engagement in research is an emerging practice that involves members of the general public in research processes such as priority setting, planning, decision-making, research conduct, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination. Engaging citizens in research, particularly health research, increases the relevance of study findings, minimizes waste by facilitating stewardship over resources, and builds public trust in the research. While several existing frameworks guide the application of citizen engagement principles to health research, it is unclear how citizen engagement can be utilized to maximize benefits and minimize risks and challenges in health research. To address the gaps in knowledge around citizen engagement in health research, we propose a scoping review to synthesize the state of knowledge on methods to incorporate and evaluate citizen engagement in research. A protocol is presented in this manuscript.

METHODS

The methodology for our scoping review is guided by Arksey and O' Malley's framework for scoping reviews, and additional recommendations by Levac and colleagues. We will include peer-reviewed and gray literature that report on citizen engagement in health research (including biomedical, clinical, health systems and services, and social, cultural, environmental and population health) and report method(s) to conduct, measure, or evaluate citizen engagement. We will systematically search electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, JSTOR, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Science Direct) from inception onwards and search relevant organizations' websites for additional studies, frameworks, and reports on citizen engagement. Title and abstract and full-text citations will be screened independently and in duplicate. Data will be extracted independently and in duplicate, including document characteristics, citizen engagement definitions and goals, and outcomes of citizen engagement (e.g., barriers, facilitators).

DISCUSSION

This review will synthesize the definitions, goals, methods, outcomes, and significance of citizen engagement in health research, as well as any potential barriers, facilitators, and challenges outlined in existing literature. The findings will provide an evidence-based foundation for developing new or improved guidance for citizen engagement in health research. Overall, we anticipate that our scoping review will be a preliminary step to meaningful engagement of citizens in research and strengthen the relationship between the scientific community and the public through transparency and collaboration.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

Open Science Framework  https://osf.io/hzcbr .

Putting the Patient First: A Scoping Review of Patient Desires in Canada

Patient-centred care is a key priority for governments, providers and stakeholders, yet little is known about the care preferences of patient groups. We completed a scoping review that yielded 193 articles for analysis. Five health states were used to account for the diversity of possible preferences based on health needs. Five broad themes were identified and expressed differently across the health states, including personalized care, navigation, choice, holistic care and care continuity. Patients' perspectives must be considered to meet the diverse needs of targeted patient groups, which can inform health system planning, quality improvement initiatives and targeting of investments.

Scale-up and sustainability of a personalized end-of-life care intervention: a longitudinal mixed-methods study

BACKGROUND

Scaling-up and sustaining healthcare interventions can be challenging. Our objective was to describe how the 3 Wishes Project (3WP), a personalized end-of-life intervention, was scaled-up and sustained in an intensive care unit (ICU).

METHODS

In a longitudinal mixed-methods study from January 12,013 - December 31, 2018, dying patients and families were invited to participate if the probability of patient death was > 95% or after a decision to withdraw life support. A research team member or bedside clinician learned more about each of the patients and their family, then elicited and implemented at least 3 personalized wishes for patients and/or family members. We used a qualitative descriptive approach to analyze interviews and focus groups conducted with 25 clinicians who cared for the enrolled patients. We used descriptive statistics to summarize patient, wish, and clinician characteristics, and analyzed outcome data in quarters using Statistical Process Control charts. The primary outcome was enrollment of terminally ill patients and respective families; the secondary outcome was the number of wishes per patient; tertiary outcomes included wish features and stakeholder involvement.

RESULTS

Both qualitative and quantitative analyses suggested a three-phase approach to the scale-up of this intervention during which 369 dying patients were enrolled, having 2039 terminal wishes implemented. From a research project to clinical program to an approach to practice, we documented a three-fold increase in enrolment with a five-fold increase in total wishes implemented, without a change in cost. Beginning as a study, the protocol provided structure; starting gradually enabled frontline staff to experience and recognize the value of acts of compassion for patients, families, and clinicians. The transition to a clinical program was marked by handover from the research staff to bedside staff, whereby project catalysts mentored project champions to create staff partnerships, and family engagement became more intentional. The final transition involved empowering staff to integrate the program as an approach to care, expanding it within and beyond the organization.

CONCLUSIONS

The 3WP is an end-of-life intervention which was implemented as a study, scaled-up into a clinical program, and sustained by becoming integrated into practice as an approach to care.

A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial of family-partnered delirium prevention, detection, and management in critically ill adults: the ACTIVATE study

Background

Delirium is very common in critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and results in negative long-term outcomes. Family members are also at risk of long-term complications, including depression and anxiety. Family members are frequently at the bedside and want to be engaged; they know the patient best and may notice subtle changes prior to the care team. By engaging family members in delirium care, we may be able to improve both patient and family outcomes by identifying delirium sooner and capacitating family members in care.

Methods

The primary aim of this study is to determine the effect of family-administered delirium prevention, detection, and management in critically ill patients on family member symptoms of depression and anxiety, compared to usual care. One-hundred and ninety-eight patient-family dyads will be recruited from four medical-surgical ICUs in Calgary, Canada. Dyads will be randomized 1:1 to the intervention or control group. The intervention consists of family-partnered delirium prevention, detection, and management, while the control group will receive usual care. Delirium, depression, and anxiety will be measured using validated tools, and participants will be followed for 1- and 3-months post-ICU discharge. All analyses will be intention-to-treat and adjusted for pre-identified covariates. Ethical approval has been granted by the University of Calgary Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board (REB19–1000) and the trial registered. The protocol adheres to the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) checklist.

Discussion

Critically ill patients are frequently unable to participate in their own care, and partnering with their family members is particularly important for improving experiences and outcomes of care for both patients and families.

Trial registration

Registered September 23, 2019 on Clinicaltrials.gov NCT04099472.

In the pursuit of partnership: patient and family engagement in critical care medicine

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Patient and family partnership in critical care medicine research and clinical care is essential to achieve patient and family-centered care. Although there is an increasing interest in patient and family engagement, research is lacking to direct clinicians and researchers on how to provide opportunities for meaningful engagement. We review the recent literature and provide examples from our own experiences to guide all parties in this important and emerging area.

RECENT FINDINGS

Though the literature is relatively nascent, studies suggest that there is a desire to engage patients and families in critical care medicine research and clinical care, however, uncertainty exists on how to achieve this goal. Engagement exists on a spectrum from presence to shared decision-making and direct contributions to care; most engagement in critical care medicine involves participation in research and presence at the bedside. Expectation management is essential for meaningful engagement and true partnership. Challenges to patient and family engagement exist, including determining appropriate compensation, aligning engagement with needs and skills, and recruitment, training and retention. These challenges can be mitigated with thoughtful planning and management.

SUMMARY

Patient and family engagement in critical care medicine is an emerging field that requires further study to support definitive conclusions. Until then, it is important to match interested patients and family members with appropriate opportunities and provide training and support to ensure meaningful engagement.

Patient and Family Engagement in the ICU. Untapped Opportunities and Underrecognized Challenges

The call for meaningful patient and family engagement in health care and research is gaining impetus. Healthcare institutions and research funding agencies increasingly encourage clinicians and researchers to work actively with patients and their families to advance clinical care and research. Engagement is increasingly mandated by healthcare organizations and is becoming a prerequisite for research funding. In this article, we review the rationale and the current state of patient and family engagement in patient care and research in the ICU. We identify opportunities to strengthen engagement in patient care by promoting greater patient and family involvement in care delivery and supporting their participation in shared decision-making. We also identify challenges related to patient willingness to engage, barriers to participation, participant risks, and participant expectations. To advance engagement, clinicians and researchers can develop the science behind engagement in the ICU context and demonstrate its impact on patient- and process-related outcomes. In addition, we provide practical guidance on how to engage, highlight features of successful engagement strategies, and identify areas for future research. At present, enormous opportunities remain to enhance engagement across the continuum of ICU care and research.

Association between strained ICU capacity and healthcare costs in Canada: A population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Intensive care is resource intensive, with costs representing a substantial quantity of total hospitalization costs. Strained ICU capacity compromises care quality and adversely impacts outcomes; however, the association between strain and healthcare costs has not been explored.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Population-based cohort study performed in 17 adult ICUs in Alberta, Canada. Data were captured on hospitalizations, ambulatory care, physician services and drug dispenses occurring 1-year before and 1-year after index ICU admission. Strain was defined as occupancy ≥90%; with 21 additional definitions evaluated. Patients were categorized as strain and non-strain admissions. Costs attributable to strain, were calculated as difference-in-difference costs using propensity-score matching.

RESULTS

30,557 patients were included (strain: 11,830 [38.7%]; non-strain: 18,727 [61.3%]). At 1-year, strain admissions had adjusted-incremental per-patient cost of CA$9406 (95%CI, $5654-13,157) compared to non-strain admissions, due to hospitalization costs (CA$7930; 95%CI, $4553-11,307) and physician claims (CA$844; 95%CI, $430-1259). This equated to CA$111.3 million (95%CI, $66.9-155.6 million) in excess attributable costs. Strain portended longer hospitalization (3.3 days; 95%CI, 1.1-5.5); and more ambulatory visits (1.0; 95%CI, 0.1-2.0) and physician claims (9.5; 95%CI, 6.2-12.7). Incremental costs were robust across strain definitions.

CONCLUSIONS

Admissions to ICUs experiencing strain incur incremental costs, attributed to longer hospitalization and physician services.

Talking About Your Prostate: Perspectives from Providers and Community Members

Prostate cancer (PrCA) screening is controversial, especially for African-American (AA) men who have higher PrCA incidence and mortality than other racial/ethnic groups. Patient-provider communication is important for the PrCA screening decision process. The study purpose was to better understand the current dialogue between primary care providers (PCPs-physicians and nurse practitioners) and AA men about PrCA prevention and screening. An online survey with 46 PCPs, education sessions (including pre/post surveys) with 56 AA men, and a forum with 5 panelists and 38 AA men for open dialogue were held to examine both provider and community perspectives on PrCA communication needs and practices. PCPs' perceptions of PrCA screening were varied and they used different PrCA screening guidelines in their practices. PCPs and AA men had different experiences with PrCA communication. PCPs reported that they have discussions about PrCA screening and prostate health with AA patients; few AA men reported these same experiences. About 38.0% of PCPs reported that they remain neutral about PSA testing during discussions; however, only 10.7% of AA men reported that their doctor remained neutral. Prostate health knowledge among AA men increased significantly following participation in the education sessions (p < 0.001). AA community members reported high satisfaction regarding the education session and forum. Different recommendations from PCPs may hinder AA men's decisions about PrCA screening. The forum used in this study could be a model for others to help improve patient-provider communication and increase engagement in dialogue about this common cancer.

Using Garden Cafés to engage community stakeholders in health research

Science Cafés, informal venues to promote bidirectional dialog, inquiry and learning about science between community members, scientists, healthcare and service providers, hold promise as an innovative tool for healthcare researchers and community members to improve health outcomes, especially among populations with health disparities. However, the process of optimizing science cafés is under-studied. We describe the pilot evaluation of a series of Science Cafés, called Garden Cafés (n = 9), conducted from September 2015 through April 2016 in Olmsted County, MN and Duval County, FL to connect Mayo Clinic researchers and local service providers with the community. Selection of discussion topics was guided by a county health needs assessment, which identified community priorities. Before leaving the events, community participants completed a brief anonymous survey assessing sociodemographics and their knowledge of research benefits, readiness to participate as a partner in health research, and health and science literacy confidence. Of the 112 attendees who responded, 51% were female and 51% were Black. Respondents reported that participating in the event significantly improved (all at p<0.001) their understanding on all three measures. Preliminary findings suggest that Garden Cafés are an effective forum to increase community understanding and disposition to collaborate in health research, especially in members from diverse backgrounds.

The contribution of a MOOC to community discussions around death and dying

BACKGROUND

Advances in medicine have helped many to live longer lives and to be able to meet health challenges. However death rates are anticipated to increase given the ageing population and chronic disease progression. Being able to talk about death is seen to be important in normalising death as part of life and supporting preparedness for death. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) provide opportunities for the community to engage in collaborative learning. A 5 week MOOC was developed covering four main topics (language and humour, representations of death, medicalisation of dying, and digital dying) aiming: To enable participants to openly and supportively discuss and learn about issues around living, death and dying, To explore the normally unheard opinions and views of Australians around death and dying, and To determine what effect online learning and discussions offered through the MOOC had on participants' feelings and attitudes towards death and dying.

METHODS

Data was captured on engagement rates in the various MOOC activities. Death Attitudes were measured by five items representing the MOOC's learning objectives and completed at enrolment and conclusion. MOOC Satisfaction was measured with six items at the end of the MOOC. Descriptive statistics were produced for each variable and Chi-Square Tests of Independence assessed the extent of the relationship between categorical variables. Socio-demographic variables were examined as predictors of the outcome variables of MOOC engagement, MOOC satisfaction, and death attitudes. Ethical approval was received from Flinders University Social and Behavioural Research Ethics Committee (Project No. 7247).

RESULTS

One thousand one hundred fifty six people enrolled in the Dying2Learn MOOC with 895 participating in some way. Enrolees were primarily female (92.1%). Age ranged from 16 to 84 (mean = 49.5, SD = 12.3). MOOC satisfaction scores were high. Responses to the experience of participating in the MOOC were very positive, with mean scores ranging from 4.3 to 4.6 (aligning with agreement and strong agreement to statements on the value of participating). Death Attitudes were positive at commencement but increased significantly following participation.

CONCLUSIONS

The Dying2Learn MOOC provided an environment that enabled open and supportive discussion around death and dying and influenced attitudinal change.

Characterizing Citizens' Preferences for Engagement in Patient Care and Research in Adult and Pediatric Intensive Care Units

RATIONALE

Engagement promotes and supports the active participation of patients and families in health care and research to strengthen their influence on decision-making. We sought to characterize how citizens wish to be engaged in care and research in the intensive care unit (ICU).

METHODS

Interviewers administered questionnaires to visitors in 3 adult ICUs and 1 pediatric ICU.

RESULTS

We surveyed 202 (adult [n = 130] and pediatric [n = 72]) visitors. Adults and pediatric visitors prioritized 3 patient care topics (family involvement in rounds, improving communication between family members and health-care providers, and information transmission between health-care practitioners during patient transfers) and 2 research topics (evaluating prevention and recovery from critical illness). Preferred engagement activities included sharing personal experiences, identifying important topics and outcomes, and finding ways to make changes that respected their needs. Both respondent groups preferred to participate by completing electronic surveys or comment cards and answering questions on a website. Few respondents (<5%) wanted to participate in committees that met regularly. Although adult and pediatric respondents identified common facilitators and barriers to participation, they ranked them differently. Although both groups perceived engagement to be highly important, adult respondents were significantly less confident that their participation would impact care (7.6 ± 2.2 vs 8.3 ± 1.8; P = .01) and research (7.3 ± 2.4 vs 8.2 ± 2.0; P = .01) and were significantly less willing to participate in care (5.6 ± 2.9 vs 6.7 ± 3.0; P = .007) and research (4.7 ± 3.0 vs ± 5.8 ± 3.0; P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

Adult and pediatric visitors expressed comparable engagement preferences, identified similar facilitators and barriers, and rated engagement highly. Adult visitors were significantly less confident that their participation would be impactful and were significantly less willing to engage in care and research.

A modified Delphi process to identify clinical and research priorities in patient and family centred critical care

PURPOSE

To identify elements which enable patient and family centred care (PFCC) in the intensive care unit (ICU) and priorities for PFCC research.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We engaged a panel of multidisciplinary stakeholders in a modified Delphi process. Items generated from a literature review and panelist suggestions were rated in 3 successive rounds on a scale from 1 to 7. Median score was used to rate each item's priority, with 5 or more indicating "essential priority," 4 or 5 "moderate priority" and 3 or less "low priority." Interquartile range (IQR) was used to measure consensus, with IQR of 1 indicating "high" consensus, 2 "moderate" consensus, and 3 or greater "low" consensus.

RESULTS

Six items were rated essential elements for facilitating PFCC with high consensus (flexible visiting hours, family participation in bedside care, trained family support person, interventions to facilitate continuity of care, staff education to support families, continuity of staff assignments). Three items were rated essential research topics: interventions to facilitate continuity of care following ICU discharge (moderate consensus), family participation in bedside care (low consensus), and decision aids for end of life decision-making (low consensus).

CONCLUSIONS

Stakeholders identified clear and distinct priorities for PFCC in clinical care and research, though there was greater consensus for clinical care.

Improving brain computer interface research through user involvement - The transformative potential of integrating civil society organisations in research projects

Research on Brain Computer Interfaces (BCI) often aims to provide solutions for vulnerable populations, such as individuals with diseases, conditions or disabilities that keep them from using traditional interfaces. Such research thereby contributes to the public good. This contribution to the public good corresponds to a broader drive of research and funding policy that focuses on promoting beneficial societal impact. One way of achieving this is to engage with the public. In practical terms this can be done by integrating civil society organisations (CSOs) in research. The open question at the heart of this paper is whether and how such CSO integration can transform the research and contribute to the public good. To answer this question the paper describes five detailed qualitative case studies of research projects including CSOs. The paper finds that transformative impact of CSO integration is possible but by no means assured. It provides recommendations on how transformative impact can be promoted.