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Walsh CA, Miller SJ, Smith CB, Prigerson HG, McFarland D, Yarborough S, Santos CDL, Thomas R, Czaja SJ, RoyChoudhury A, Chapman-Davis E, Lachs M, Shen MJ. Acceptability and usability of the Planning Advance Care Together (PACT) website for improving patients' engagement in advance care planning. PEC Innov 2024; 4:100245. [PMID: 38145252 PMCID: PMC10733677 DOI: 10.1016/j.pecinn.2023.100245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Objectives Most prior advance care planning (ACP) interventions lack integration of the social context of patients' ACP process, which patients indicate is critically important. The current study developed the Planning Advance Care Together (PACT) website to foster inclusion of loved ones in the ACP process. Methods To provide feedback about the PACT website, patients with advanced cancer (N = 11), their caregivers (N = 11), and experts (N = 10) participated in semi-structured interviews. Patients and caregivers also completed standardized ratings of acceptability and usability. Results Overall, patient (n = 11) and caregiver (n = 11) ratings of acceptability and usability of the website exceeded benchmark cut-offs (≥24 on the Acceptability E-Scale and ≥ 68 on the System Usability Scale). Patients, caregivers, and experts liked the topic of ACP but felt that it could be emotionally challenging. They recommended focusing more on planning and less on end of life. They appreciated being able to include loved ones and recommended adding resources for caregivers. Conclusions Study findings support the preliminary usability and acceptability of the PACT website. Findings will be used to inform a modified prototype of the PACT website that is interactive and ready for field testing with patients with advanced cancer and their loved ones. Innovation We utilized a novel application of the shared mind framework to support patients with advanced cancer in engaging their loved ones in the ACP process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey A. Walsh
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Sarah J. Miller
- Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Cardinale B. Smith
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Holly G. Prigerson
- Department of Medicine, Cornell Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Daniel McFarland
- Department of Psychiatry, Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Sarah Yarborough
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Claudia De Los Santos
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Robert Thomas
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Sara J. Czaja
- Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Center on Aging and Behavioral Research, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Arindam RoyChoudhury
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Eloise Chapman-Davis
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Mark Lachs
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States of America
- Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, New York Presbyterian Health Care System, United States of America
| | - Megan J. Shen
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, United States of America
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Prigerson HG, Singer J, Killikelly C. Prolonged Grief Disorder: Addressing Misconceptions With Evidence. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2024; 32:527-534. [PMID: 38001019 DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2023.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
There are many misconceptions about Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD). We show with data that PGD is a diagnosis that applies to a rare few of mourners who are at risk of significant distress and dysfunction. Those mourners who meet criteria for PGD have been shown to benefit from specialized, targeted treatment for it. The case against PGD is empirically unsubstantiated, and the need for scientific examination of effective treatments is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jonathan Singer
- Department of Psychological Science (JS), Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX; Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (JS), Seattle, WA
| | - Clare Killikelly
- Department of Psychology, Psychopathology and Clinical Intervention (CK), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Prigerson HG, Singer J, Killikelly C. Closing in on Close Connections: A Reply to Thieleman et al. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2024; 32:635-636. [PMID: 38350834 DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2024.01.223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Holly G Prigerson
- Cornell Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY.
| | - Jonathan Singer
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
| | - Clare Killikelly
- Division of Psychopathology and Clinical Intervention, Universität Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Prigerson HG, Singer J, Killikelly C. Prolonged Grief Disorder: Misconceptions about Misconceptions. A Reply to Eisma. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2024; 32:634. [PMID: 38267357 DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2024.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Holly G Prigerson
- Department of Medicine (HGP, JS, CK), Weill Cornell Medicine, New York City, NY.
| | - Jonathan Singer
- Department of Medicine (HGP, JS, CK), Weill Cornell Medicine, New York City, NY
| | - Clare Killikelly
- Department of Medicine (HGP, JS, CK), Weill Cornell Medicine, New York City, NY
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Mossman B, Perry LM, Voss HM, Maciejewski PK, Gramling R, Duberstein P, Prigerson HG, Epstein RM, Hoerger M. Patient-Caregiver Dyads & End-of-Life Care: Caregiver Personality Disrupts Gender-Based Norms. J Pain Symptom Manage 2024; 67:e393-e398. [PMID: 38278189 PMCID: PMC11032258 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2024.01.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT Gender and personality may individually impact end-of-life care. Men often receive more aggressive treatments than women near death, and personality - particularly openness - may be associated with increased care utilization when it diverges from traditional treatment norms. However, research has not examined the interaction of these variables in a dyadic context. OBJECTIVES This study examined the dyadic effects of patient gender and caregiver personality on end-of-life care. METHODS Using data from the VOICE randomized clinical trial, the present sample consisted of patient-caregiver dyads receiving outpatient care for advanced cancer in Sacramento and Western New York. Analyses assessed whether caregiver personality was associated with gender-based differences in patient chemotherapy or emergency department/inpatient visits in the 30 days before death. Logistic regression examined the interaction between caregivers' Big Five personality dimensions and patient gender while accounting for patient and caregiver demographic and health characteristics. RESULTS Of a total of 134 patient-caregiver dyads, 19.4% (n = 26) of patients received chemotherapy and 47.8% (n = 64) had an emergency department/inpatient visit in the 30 days before death. Results demonstrated a significant interaction between caregiver openness and patient gender on receipt of chemotherapy (odds ratio = 0.07, p = 0.006). When caregivers were less open, men were more likely to receive chemotherapy near death, whereas when caregivers were more open, women were more likely to receive chemotherapy near death. CONCLUSION Results suggest caregiver personality characteristics, particularly openness, might disrupt gender-based treatment norms at end-of-life. Findings demonstrate that patient and caregiver factors can interact to explain patient healthcare utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenna Mossman
- Department of Psychology (B.M., H.M.V., M.H.), Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Laura M Perry
- Department of Medical Social Sciences (L.M.P.), Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Medicine (L.M.P.), Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Hallie M Voss
- Department of Psychology (B.M., H.M.V., M.H.), Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Paul K Maciejewski
- Cornell Center for Research on End-of-Life Care (P.K.M., H.G.P.), Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Robert Gramling
- Department of Family Medicine (R.G.), University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Paul Duberstein
- Department of Health Behavior (P.D.), Society, and Policy, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Holly G Prigerson
- Cornell Center for Research on End-of-Life Care (P.K.M., H.G.P.), Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ronald M Epstein
- Departments of Family Medicine (R.M.E.), Medicine and Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Michael Hoerger
- Department of Psychology (B.M., H.M.V., M.H.), Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA; Departments of Psychiatry and Medicine (M.H.), Tulane Cancer Center, and Freeman School of Business, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA.
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Lichtenthal WG, Lief L, Rogers M, Russell D, Viola M, Winoker H, Kakarala S, Traube C, Coats T, Fadalla C, Roberts KE, Pavao M, Osso F, Brewin CR, Pan CX, Maciejewski PK, Berlin D, Pastores S, Halpern N, Vaughan SC, Cox CE, Prigerson HG. EMPOWER: A Multi-Site Pilot Trial to Reduce Distress in Surrogate Decision-Makers in the ICU. J Pain Symptom Manage 2024:S0885-3924(24)00658-4. [PMID: 38479536 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2024.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT Efforts to reduce the psychological distress of surrogate decision-makers of critically ill patients have had limited success, and some have even exacerbated distress. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of EMPOWER (Enhancing and Mobilizing the POtential for Wellness and Resilience), an ultra-brief (∼2-hour), 6-module manualized psychological intervention for surrogates. METHODS Surrogates who reported significant anxiety and/or an emotionally close relationship with the patient (n=60) were randomized to receive EMPOWER or enhanced usual care (EUC) at one of three metropolitan hospitals. Participants completed evaluations of EMPOWER's acceptability and measures of psychological distress pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention, and at 1- and 3-month follow-up assessments. RESULTS Delivery of EMPOWER appeared feasible, with 89% of participants completing all 6 modules, and acceptable, with high ratings of satisfaction (mean=4.5/5, SD = .90). Compared to EUC, intent-to-treat analyses showed EMPOWER was superior at reducing peritraumatic distress (Cohen's d = -0.21, small effect) immediately post-intervention and grief intensity (d = -0.70, medium-large effect), posttraumatic stress (d = -0.74, medium-large effect), experiential avoidance (d = -0.46, medium effect), and depression (d = -0.34, small effect) 3 months post-intervention. Surrogate satisfaction with overall critical care (d = 0.27, small effect) was higher among surrogates randomized to EMPOWER. CONCLUSIONS EMPOWER appeared feasible and acceptable, increased surrogates' satisfaction with critical care, and prevented escalation of posttraumatic stress, grief, and depression 3 months later.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy G Lichtenthal
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (W.G.L.), Miami, Florida, USA; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (W.G.L., K.E.R., S.P., N.H.), New York, New York, USA.
| | - Lindsay Lief
- Weill Cornell Medicine (L.L., M.R., H.W., S.K., C.T., M.P., F.O., P.K.M., D.B., S.C.V., H.G.P.), New York, New York, USA
| | - Madeline Rogers
- Weill Cornell Medicine (L.L., M.R., H.W., S.K., C.T., M.P., F.O., P.K.M., D.B., S.C.V., H.G.P.), New York, New York, USA
| | - David Russell
- Appalachian State University (D.R.), Boone, North Carolina, USA
| | - Martin Viola
- Harvard Medical School (M.V.), Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hillary Winoker
- Weill Cornell Medicine (L.L., M.R., H.W., S.K., C.T., M.P., F.O., P.K.M., D.B., S.C.V., H.G.P.), New York, New York, USA
| | - Sophia Kakarala
- Weill Cornell Medicine (L.L., M.R., H.W., S.K., C.T., M.P., F.O., P.K.M., D.B., S.C.V., H.G.P.), New York, New York, USA
| | - Chani Traube
- Weill Cornell Medicine (L.L., M.R., H.W., S.K., C.T., M.P., F.O., P.K.M., D.B., S.C.V., H.G.P.), New York, New York, USA
| | - Taylor Coats
- Pacific University (T.C.), Forest Grove, Oregon, USA
| | | | - Kailey E Roberts
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (W.G.L., K.E.R., S.P., N.H.), New York, New York, USA; Yeshiva University (K.E.R.), Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Madison Pavao
- Weill Cornell Medicine (L.L., M.R., H.W., S.K., C.T., M.P., F.O., P.K.M., D.B., S.C.V., H.G.P.), New York, New York, USA
| | - Francesco Osso
- Weill Cornell Medicine (L.L., M.R., H.W., S.K., C.T., M.P., F.O., P.K.M., D.B., S.C.V., H.G.P.), New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Cynthia X Pan
- New York-Presbyterian Queens (C.X.P.), Flushing, New York, USA
| | - Paul K Maciejewski
- Weill Cornell Medicine (L.L., M.R., H.W., S.K., C.T., M.P., F.O., P.K.M., D.B., S.C.V., H.G.P.), New York, New York, USA
| | - David Berlin
- Weill Cornell Medicine (L.L., M.R., H.W., S.K., C.T., M.P., F.O., P.K.M., D.B., S.C.V., H.G.P.), New York, New York, USA
| | - Stephen Pastores
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (W.G.L., K.E.R., S.P., N.H.), New York, New York, USA
| | - Neil Halpern
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (W.G.L., K.E.R., S.P., N.H.), New York, New York, USA
| | - Susan C Vaughan
- Weill Cornell Medicine (L.L., M.R., H.W., S.K., C.T., M.P., F.O., P.K.M., D.B., S.C.V., H.G.P.), New York, New York, USA
| | - Christopher E Cox
- Duke University School of Medicine (C.E.C.), Durham, North Carolin, USA
| | - Holly G Prigerson
- Weill Cornell Medicine (L.L., M.R., H.W., S.K., C.T., M.P., F.O., P.K.M., D.B., S.C.V., H.G.P.), New York, New York, USA
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Szanto K, Prigerson HG, Stahl ST. Is Social Connection the Solution for Reducing Widower Suicide in Late Life? Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2024:S1064-7481(24)00264-1. [PMID: 38448306 DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2024.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Katalin Szanto
- Department of Psychiatry (KS, STS), University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA.
| | - Holly G Prigerson
- Cornell Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Department of Radiology, Department of Medicine (HGP), Weill Cornell Medicine, NYC, NY
| | - Sarah T Stahl
- Department of Psychiatry (KS, STS), University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
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Kinslow CJ, Kumar P, Olfson M, Wall MM, Petridis PD, Horowitz DP, Wang TJC, Kachnic LA, Cheng SK, Prigerson HG, Yu JB, Neugut AI. Prognosis and risk of suicide after cancer diagnosis. Cancer 2024; 130:588-596. [PMID: 38018695 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.35118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Suicide rates are elevated after cancer diagnosis. Existential distress caused by awareness of one's impending death is well-described in patients with cancer. The authors hypothesized that suicide risk is associated with cancer prognosis, and the impact of prognosis on suicide risk is greatest for populations with higher baseline suicide risk. METHODS The authors identified patients (≥16 years old) with newly diagnosed cancers from 2000 to 2019 in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, representing 27% of US cancers. Multiple primary-standardized mortality ratios (SMR) were used to estimate the relative risk of suicide within 6 months of diagnosis compared to the general US population, adjusted for age, sex, race, and year of follow-up. Suicide rates by 20 most common cancer sites were compared with respective 2-year overall survival rates (i.e., prognosis) using a weighted linear regression model. RESULTS Among 6,754,704 persons diagnosed with cancer, there were 1610 suicide deaths within 6 months of diagnosis, three times higher than the general population (SMR = 3.1; 95% confidence interval, 3.0-3.3). Suicide risk by cancer site was closely associated with overall prognosis (9.5%/percent survival deficit, R2 = 0.88, p < .0001). The association of prognosis with suicide risk became attenuated over time. For men, the risk of suicide increased by 2.8 suicide deaths per 100,000 person-years (p < .0001) versus 0.3 in women (p < .0001). The risk was also higher for persons ≥60 old and for the White (vs. Black) race. CONCLUSIONS Poorer prognosis was closely associated with suicide risk early after cancer diagnosis and had a greater effect on populations with higher baseline risks of suicide. This model highlights the need for enhanced psychiatric surveillance and continued research in this patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor J Kinslow
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Prashanth Kumar
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mark Olfson
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
- The New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Melanie M Wall
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
- The New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Petros D Petridis
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - David P Horowitz
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Tony J C Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Lisa A Kachnic
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Simon K Cheng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Holly G Prigerson
- Cornell Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - James B Yu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Alfred I Neugut
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
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Ashouri A, Yousefi S, Prigerson HG. Psychometric properties of the PG-13-R scale to assess prolonged grief disorder among bereaved Iranian adults. Palliat Support Care 2024; 22:174-181. [PMID: 37052287 DOI: 10.1017/s1478951523000202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The PG-13-Revised (PG-13-R) is a self-report measure to assess prolonged grief disorder (PGD) in terms of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth revision, Text Revision. This measure has been shown to yield good psychometric properties in Western samples. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian PG-13-R. METHODS Three hundred forty-seven individuals (209 women and 138 men) fully completed the scales. The participants were recruited using convenience sampling. The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), convergent and divergent validity, and reliability of the Persian version of the PG-13-R were evaluated. RESULTS CFA results of a unidimensional model support the construct validity of this version of the PG-13-R. The results of this study demonstrated that this version of the PG-13-R has internal consistency reliability (omega coefficient of 0.93), and the test-retest reliability with an interval of 6 weeks was 0.89. The convergent and divergent validity was shown with significant correlations between the PG-13-R and measures of depression, PTSD, functional impairment, and hope. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS Overall, the Persian version of the PG-13-R showed good psychometric properties in the Iranian population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Ashouri
- Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health (Tehran Institute of Psychiatry), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahab Yousefi
- Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health (Tehran Institute of Psychiatry), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Holly G Prigerson
- Cornell Center for Research on End-of-Live Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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10
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Shen MJ, Prigerson HG, Maciejewski PK, Daly B, Adelman R, McConnell Trevino KM. A communication intervention to improve prognostic understanding and engagement in advance care planning among diverse advanced cancer patient-caregiver dyads: A pilot study. Palliat Support Care 2024; 22:10-18. [PMID: 37526150 PMCID: PMC10901460 DOI: 10.1017/s1478951523000901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Accurate prognostic understanding among patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers is associated with greater engagement in advance care planning (ACP) and receipt of goal-concordant care. Poor prognostic understanding is more prevalent among racial and ethnic minority patients. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and impact of a patient-caregiver communication-based intervention to improve prognostic understanding, engagement in ACP, and completion of advance directives among a racially and ethnically diverse, urban sample of patients and their caregivers. METHODS Patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers (n = 22 dyads) completed assessments of prognostic understanding, engagement in ACP, and completion of advance directives at baseline and post-intervention, Talking About Cancer (TAC). TAC is a 7-session intervention delivered remotely by licensed social workers that includes distress management and communication skills, review of prognosis, and information on ACP. RESULTS TAC met a priori benchmarks for feasibility, acceptability, and fidelity. Prognostic understanding and engagement in ACP did not change over time. However, patients showed increases in completion of advance directives. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS TAC was feasible, acceptable, and delivered with high fidelity. Involvement of caregivers in TAC may provide added layers of support to patients facing advanced cancer diagnoses, especially among racial and ethnic minorities. Trends indicated greater completion of advance directives but not in prognostic understanding or engagement in ACP. Future research is needed to optimize the intervention to improve acceptability, tailor to diverse patient populations, and examine the efficacy of TAC in a randomized controlled trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan J Shen
- Division of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Holly G Prigerson
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Paul K Maciejewski
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bobby Daly
- Thoracic Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ronald Adelman
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kelly M McConnell Trevino
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
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Wen FH, Prigerson HG, Hu TH, Huang CC, Chou WC, Chuang LP, Chiang MC, Tang ST. Associations Between Family-Assessed Quality-of-Dying-and-Death Latent Classes and Bereavement Outcomes for Family Surrogates of ICU Decedents. Crit Care Med 2024:00003246-990000000-00283. [PMID: 38299933 DOI: 10.1097/ccm.0000000000006199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine associations between family surrogates' bereavement outcomes and four previously determined quality of dying and death (QODD) latent classes (high, moderate, poor-to-uncertain, and worst). DESIGN Prospective, longitudinal, observational study. SETTING Medical ICUs at two academically affiliated medical centers in Taiwan. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS Three hundred nine family surrogates responsible for decision-making for critically ill patients at high risk of death (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores > 20) from a disease. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Participants were assessed by the depression and anxiety subscales of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, 11 items of the Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) scale, and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey at 1, 3, 6, 13, 18, and 24 months post-loss. We simultaneously examined associations of four QODD latent classes with physical and mental health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and symptoms of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and PGD assessed over 24 bereavement months using multivariate hierarchical linear modeling. Surrogates' distinct QODD latent classes assessed at 1-month post-loss were significantly associated with bereavement outcomes, except for physical HRQOL and PGD symptoms. Significantly more depressive symptoms and worse mental HRQOL (β [95% CI]) were reported by bereaved surrogates in the moderate (1.958 [1.144-2.772], -2.245 [-3.961 to -0.529]), poor-to-uncertain (2.224 [1.438-3.010], -7.026 [-8.683 to -5.369]), and worst (2.081 [1.215-2.964], -4.268 [-6.096 to -2.440]) QODD classes than those in the high QODD class. Bereaved surrogates in the moderate (2.095 [1.392-2.798]) and poor-to-uncertain (0.801 [0.123-1.480]) QODD classes reported more anxiety symptoms, whereas those in the poor-to-uncertain QODD class suffered more PTSD symptoms (2.889 [1.005-4.774]) than those in the high QODD class. CONCLUSIONS The four distinct QODD latent classes were significantly associated with ICU family surrogates' bereavement outcomes, suggesting targets to improve end-of-life care quality in ICUs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fur-Hsing Wen
- Department of International Business, Soochow University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | | | - Tsung-Hui Hu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chung-Chi Huang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Respiratory Therapy, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wen-Chi Chou
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Li-Pang Chuang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ming Chu Chiang
- Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, ROC
| | - Siew Tzuh Tang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
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Tergas AI, Prigerson HG, Penedo FJ, Maciejewski PK. Human Connection: Oncologist Characteristics and Behaviors Associated With Therapeutic Bonding With Latino Patients With Advanced Cancer. JCO Oncol Pract 2024; 20:111-122. [PMID: 37988650 PMCID: PMC10827287 DOI: 10.1200/op.23.00329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Therapeutic alliances (TAs) between oncologists and patients are bonds characterized by mutual caring, trust, and respect. We here relate oncologist characteristics and behaviors to TA among Latino and non-Latino patients with advanced cancer. METHODS Participants included non-Latino oncologists (n = 41) and their Latino (n = 67) and non-Latino White (n = 90) patients with advanced cancer who participated in Coping with Cancer III, a multisite, US-based prospective cohort study of Latino/non-Latino disparities in end-of-life cancer care, conducted 2015-2019. Oncologist characteristics included age, sex, race, institution type, Spanish language proficiency, familismo practice style (emphasis on family) and clinical etiquette behaviors. Patient-reported TA was assessed using the average score of six items from The Human Connection scale. Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) estimated effects of oncologist characteristics on TA. RESULTS Of 157 patients, a majority were female (n = 92, 58.6%) and age younger than 65 years (n = 95, 60.5%). Most oncologists were male (n = 24, 58.5%), non-Latino White (n = 25, 61%), and age 40 years and older (n = 25, 61%). An adjusted HLM in the full sample showed that Latino patient ethnicity was associated with significantly lower TA (β = -.25; P < .001). In an adjusted stratified HLM for TA, among Latino patients, oncologist familismo practice style (β = .19; P = .012), preference using first names (β = .25; P = .023), and greater Spanish fluency (β = .11; P < .001) were positively associated with TA. In contrast, familismo practice style had no impact on TA for non-Latino White patients. CONCLUSION Latino patients with advanced cancer had worse TAs with their oncologists versus non-Latino patients. Modifiable oncologist behaviors may be targeted in an intervention designed to improve the patient-physician relationship between oncologists and their Latino patients with advanced cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana I. Tergas
- Department of Surgery, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA
- Department of Population Science, Division of Health Equity, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA
- Cornell Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Holly G. Prigerson
- Cornell Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Frank J. Penedo
- Departments of Psychology and Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
| | - Paul K. Maciejewski
- Cornell Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
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Kim Y, Rimal D, K C A, Shrestha S, Luitel NP, Prigerson HG, Tol WA, Surkan PJ. Understanding Nepali widows' experiences for the adaptation of an instrument to assess Prolonged Grief Disorder. Transcult Psychiatry 2023; 60:891-904. [PMID: 33351725 DOI: 10.1177/1363461520949005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The experience of grief varies across different cultures and contexts. Women in Nepal who lose their husbands confront discrimination, social isolation, and abuse that influence their experience of grief. Through eight focus group discussions with Nepali widows, we elicited socially sanctioned grief reactions and local idioms used to describe common cognitive, behavioral, and emotional symptoms of grief. Accordingly, modifications to an existing instrument for Prolonged Grief Disorder, the PG-13, are suggested to capture grief symptoms as experienced by Nepali widows. Items in the PG-13 were translated to colloquial Nepali and adapted to maintain comprehensibility, acceptability, relevance, and completeness. Based on the grief-related issues reported in the focus group discussions, the addition of five new items and a new criterion to capture symptoms related to social discrimination are proposed. Widows perceived elevated symptoms one year after the loss to be problematic. It is thus recommended that the duration criterion in the original PG-13 be adjusted from at least six months to at least one year after the loss. These proposed modifications to the instrument should be validated through future psychometric testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoona Kim
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University
| | | | - Angela K C
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University
| | | | | | | | - Wietse A Tol
- Section of Global Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen
- Peter C. Alderman Program for Global Mental Health at HealthRight International
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Wen FH, Prigerson HG, Chou WC, Huang CC, Hu TH, Chiang MC, Chuang LP, Tang ST. Comorbid Prolonged Grief, PTSD, and Depression Trajectories for Bereaved Family Surrogates. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2342675. [PMID: 37948078 PMCID: PMC10638651 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.42675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Family surrogates of patients who die in an intensive care unit (ICU) are at risk of cooccurring prolonged grief disorder (PGD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depressive disorder during bereavement, but symptom trajectories are often explored individually. Objectives To simultaneously examine and determine co-occurrence of PGD, PTSD, and depressive symptom trajectories. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study was conducted in ICUs of 2 Taiwanese medical centers from January 2018 to March 2020, with follow-up through July 2022. Participants included surrogates responsible for decision-making who provided data 6 to 24 months after the death of their loved one. Data were analyzed from August to December 2022. Main Outcomes and Measures PGD was assessed with the 11 grief symptom items of the PG-13; PTSD, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised; and depressive symptoms, the depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale at 6, 13, 18, and 24 months after the death. Latent growth mixture modeling was conducted to identify distinct trajectories, and joint latent class analysis was used to assess joint patterns of trajectories. Results A total of 303 participants were included, with most younger than 56 years (207 participants [68.3%]), female (177 participants [58.4%]), and married (228 participants [75.2%]), and their relationship with the patient was mostly spouse (88 participants [29.0%]) or adult child (166 participants [54.8%]). Three trajectories were identified each for PGD, PTSD, and depressive symptoms. A resilience trajectory was predominant across PGD (253 participants [83.5%]), PTSD (250 participants [82.5%]), and depressive (200 participants [66.0%]) symptoms. Second most common was a recovery trajectory identified for PGD (36 participants [11.9%]) and PTSD (41 participants [13.5%]) symptoms, while for depressive symptoms, a moderate trajectory (72 participants [23.8%]) signified persistent moderate distress. A chronic trajectory characterized by persistently high distress was identified for PGD (14 participants [4.6%]) and depressive (31 participants [10.2%]) symptoms, whereas a unique delayed-onset trajectory (12 participants [4.0%]) was identified for PTSD symptoms. Most family surrogates (228 participants [75.2%]) experienced cooccurring PGD, PTSD, and depressive symptom trajectories, but multiple patterns were discordant. Symptom trajectories cooccurred in joint patterns: resilient (247 participants [81.5%]), recovered (43 participants [14.1%]), and distressed (14 participants [4.5%]). These patterns were characterized by high conditional probabilities for the resilience (PGD, 0.999; PTSD, 0.999; depressive, 0.804), recovery (PGD, 0.854; PTSD, 0.890; depressive, 0.588), and chronic (PGD, 0.921; PTSD, 0.789; depressive, 0.980) symptom trajectories. Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study, grief-related psychological symptoms evolved in complex ways during ICU bereavement, as characterized by heterogeneous trajectories. Some ICU bereaved surrogates experienced persistent elevated PGD, PTSD, and depressive symptoms individually or conjointly, underscoring the importance of early screening to identify this population at high risk of comorbid psychological distress trajectories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fur-Hsing Wen
- Department of International Business, Soochow University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | - Wen-Chi Chou
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Chi Huang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan
- Department of Respiratory Therapy, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Hui Hu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ming Chu Chiang
- Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Li-Pang Chuang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan
| | - Siew Tzuh Tang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan
- Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- School of Nursing, Medical College, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan
- Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan
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15
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Prigerson HG, Neugut AI. You Get (offered) What You (can) Pay for: Explaining Disparities in End-of-Life Cancer Care. J Clin Oncol 2023; 41:4721-4723. [PMID: 37339386 PMCID: PMC10602525 DOI: 10.1200/jco.23.00608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Holly G. Prigerson
- Cornell Center for Research on End-of Life Care, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Alfred I. Neugut
- Department of Medicine and Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY
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Braun RT, Unruh MA, Stevenson DG, Prigerson HG, Fernandez R, Yao LZ, Casalino LP. Changes in Diagnoses and Site of Care for Patients Receiving Hospice Care From Agencies Acquired by Private Equity Firms and Publicly Traded Companies. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2334582. [PMID: 37747735 PMCID: PMC10520742 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.34582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Private equity firms and publicly traded companies have been acquiring US hospice agencies; an estimated 16% of US hospice agencies are owned by private equity (PE) firms or publicly traded companies (PTC). Objective To examine the association of PE and PTC acquisitions of hospices with Medicare patients' site of care and clinical diagnoses. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study of US hospice agencies used a novel national database of acquisitions merged with the Medicare Post-Acute Care and Hospice Public Use File for 2013 to 2020. Changes in sites of care and patient characteristics for hospice agencies acquired by PE or PTCs were compared with changes for patients in nonacquired for-profit hospice agencies. Exposure Private equity and publicly traded company acquisitions. Main Outcomes and Measures This study used a difference-in-differences approach within an event-study framework to examine the association of PE and PTC acquisitions of hospice agencies with changes in patient diagnoses and sites of care. Dependent variables were annual hospice-level measures of the Hierarchical Condition Category (HCC) score and proportion of patients diagnosed with cancer or dementia. Sites of care included the proportion of patients receiving hospice care in their personal home, nursing home, or assisted living facility. Results A total of 158 hospice agencies acquired by PEs, 250 acquired by PTCs, and 1559 other for-profit hospice agencies were included. Preacquisition, hospice agencies that would later be acquired by PE or PTC served a mean (IQR) 30.1% (12.0%-44.0%) and 29.4% (13.0%-43.0%) of their patients in nursing homes respectively, a greater proportion compared with the 27.1% (8.0%-43.8%) served by for-profit hospices that were never acquired. Agencies acquired by PE between 2014 and 2019 saw a significant relative increase of 5.98% in dementia patients (1.38 percentage points; 95% CI, 0.35-2.40 percentage points; P = .008). In PTC-owned hospices, the proportion of patients receiving care at home increased by 5.26% (2.98 percentage points; 95% CI, 1.46-4.51 percentage points; P < .001), the proportion of dementia patients rose by 13.49% (3.11 percentage points; 95% CI, 2.14-4.09 percentage points; P < .001), and the HCC score decreased by 1.37% (-3.19 percentage points; 95% CI, -5.92 to -0.47 percentage points; P = .02). Conclusions and Relevance These findings suggest that PE and PTCs select patients and sites of care to maximize profits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Tyler Braun
- Division of Health Policy and Economics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Mark A. Unruh
- Division of Health Policy and Economics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - David G. Stevenson
- Department of Health Policy, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Holly G. Prigerson
- Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Rahul Fernandez
- Division of Health Policy and Economics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Leah Z. Yao
- Division of Health Policy and Economics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Lawrence P. Casalino
- Division of Health Policy and Economics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
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Prigerson HG, Russell D, Kakarala SE, Derry‐Vick HM, Shah MA, Saxena A, Reyna VF, Ocean A, Scheff R, Maciejewski PK, Epstein AS. Giving information strategically and transparently: A pilot trial of the Oncolo-GIST intervention to promote patients' prognostic understanding. Cancer Med 2023; 12:18269-18280. [PMID: 37551156 PMCID: PMC10523975 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Most patients with cancer lack the prognostic understanding necessary to make informed decisions. We tested the feasibility and acceptability of the Oncolo-GIST ("Giving Information Strategically and Transparently, GIST") intervention and explored its associations with patients' improved prognostic understanding. METHODS The Oncolo-GIST intervention distills prognostic discussions into easy-to-understand talking points. Patients with metastatic cancers that progressed on ≥1 line of chemotherapy and not expected to survive 12 months (n = 31) were recruited from October 2020 through November 2022. We compared patients who discussed their progressive scans with an oncologist trained in the GIST technique or not (i.e., usual care). A primary outcome was prognostic understanding (e.g., patients reporting a life-expectancy of months) assessed within a week of the scan discussion visit. RESULTS Oncologists (n = 4) appeared receptive to the Oncolo-GIST intervention and scored nearly perfectly on post-training tests of material mastery after a < 2-h tutorial. Post-scan discussion visit, 100% of patients who met with an Oncolo-GIST-trained clinician understood that their cancer was considered incurable (a 31% improvement from pre-visit) compared with 91% of patients meeting with usual care oncologists (an 18% improvement); 33% of patients who met with an Oncolo-GIST-trained oncologist understood that they likely had months, not years, compared to 18% in the usual care group. No statistically significant differences emerged for these changes, nor for therapeutic alliance, anxiety, or depression scores between groups. CONCLUSION Oncolo-GIST appears to be an easily learned approach to improve prognostic understanding that neither undermines therapeutic alliances nor increases patients' anxiety or depressive symptoms. Efficacy testing in a larger trial is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly G. Prigerson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics and Palliative MedicineWeill Cornell MedicineNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Cornell Center for Research on End‐of‐Life CareWeill Cornell MedicineNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - David Russell
- Department of SociologyAppalachian State UniversityBooneNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Sophia E. Kakarala
- Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics and Palliative MedicineWeill Cornell MedicineNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Cornell Center for Research on End‐of‐Life CareWeill Cornell MedicineNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | | | - Manish A. Shah
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical OncologyWeill Cornell MedicineNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Ashish Saxena
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical OncologyWeill Cornell MedicineNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Valerie F. Reyna
- Cornell University, Human Neuroscience InstituteIthacaNew YorkUSA
| | - Allyson Ocean
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical OncologyWeill Cornell MedicineNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Ronald Scheff
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical OncologyWeill Cornell MedicineNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Paul K. Maciejewski
- Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics and Palliative MedicineWeill Cornell MedicineNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Cornell Center for Research on End‐of‐Life CareWeill Cornell MedicineNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Department of RadiologyWeill Cornell MedicineNew YorkNew YorkUSA
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Wen FH, Prigerson HG, Chou WC, Huang CC, Hu TH, Chiang MC, Chuang LP, Tang ST. ICU Bereaved Surrogates' Transition Through States of Co-Occurring Prolonged Grief Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Depression Symptoms. Crit Care Med 2023; 51:1159-1167. [PMID: 37114931 DOI: 10.1097/ccm.0000000000005884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Grief-related psychological distress often co-occurs to conjointly impair function during bereavement. Knowledge of comorbid grief-related psychological distress is limited: no longitudinal study has examined dynamic patterns of co-occurring prolonged grief disorder (PGD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression, and previous assessment time frames have been variable and potentially inadequate given the duration criterion for PGD. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the transition of distinct symptom states based on the co-occurrence of PGD, PTSD, and depression symptoms for ICU bereaved surrogates over their first two bereavement years. DESIGN Prospective, longitudinal, observational study. SETTING Medical ICUs at two academically affiliated medical centers in Taiwan. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS Three hundred three family surrogates responsible for decision-making for critically ill patients at high risk of death (Acute Physiology and Chronic Evaluation II scores > 20) from a disease. INTERVENTION None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Participants were assessed by 11 items of the Prolonged Grief Disorder (PG-13) scale, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, and the depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale at 6, 13, 18, and 24 months postloss. PGD-PTSD-depression-symptom states and their evolution were examined by latent transition analysis. The following four distinct PGD-PTSD-depression-symptom states (prevalence) were initially identified: resilient (62.3%), subthreshold depression-dominant (19.9%), PGD-dominant (12.9%), and PGD-PTSD-depression comorbid (4.9%) states. These PGD-PTSD-depression-symptom states remained highly stable during the first two bereavement years, with transitions predominantly toward resilience. Prevalence for each state at 24 months postloss was 82.1%, 11.4%, 4.0%, and 2.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Four highly stable PGD-PTSD-depression-symptom states were identified, highlighting the importance of screening for subgroups of ICU bereaved surrogates with increased PGD or comorbid PGD, PTSD, and depression symptoms during early bereavement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fur-Hsing Wen
- Department of International Business, Soochow University, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | | | - Wen-Chi Chou
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China
- School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Chung-Chi Huang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Department of Respiratory Therapy, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Tsung-Hui Hu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Ming Chu Chiang
- Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Republic of China
| | - Li-Pang Chuang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Siew Tzuh Tang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China
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McConnell KM, Rogers M, Prigerson HG, Maciejewski PK, Daly R, Adelman R, Shen M. Advance care planning in an interracial dyad: Case illustration of an intervention to improve engagement in end-of-life care planning. Psychooncology 2023; 32:1306-1312. [PMID: 37334501 PMCID: PMC10858992 DOI: 10.1002/pon.6179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Key Points
Prognostic understanding among advanced cancer patients is associated with higher levels of engagement in advance care planning (ACP), preference for comfort over aggressive care, and receipt of goal‐concordant care, but few patients have accurate prognostic understanding.
Talking about Cancer (TAC) is a communication‐based intervention for advanced cancer patients and their caregivers designed to improve shared accurate prognostic understanding.
This case study describes the use of TAC with an interracial friend dyad for whom medical mistrust and experienced bias on the part of the patient significantly impacted interactions with the medical team.
Using TAC strategies, this dyad was able to improve communication with the oncology team and each other and engage in ACP.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Robert Daly
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | | | - Megan Shen
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
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Shen MJ, Cho S, De Los Santos C, Yarborough S, Maciejewski PK, Prigerson HG. Planning for Your Advance Care Needs (PLAN): A Communication Intervention to Improve Advance Care Planning among Latino Patients with Advanced Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3623. [PMID: 37509284 PMCID: PMC10377387 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15143623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The goal of this study was to develop and optimize an intervention designed to address barriers to engagement in advance care planning (ACP) among Latino patients with advanced cancer. The resulting intervention, titled Planning Your Advance Care Needs (PLAN), is grounded in theoretical models of communication competence and sociocultural theory. MATERIALS AND METHODS An initial version of the PLAN manual was developed based on a prior intervention, Ca-HELP, that was designed to improve communication around pain among cancer patients. PLAN uses this framework to coach patients on how to plan for and communicate their end-of-life care needs through ACP. In the present study, feedback was obtained from key stakeholders (n = 11 patients, n = 11 caregivers, n = 10 experts) on this preliminary version of the PLAN manual. Participants provided ratings of acceptability and feedback around the intervention content, format, design, modality, and delivery through quantitative survey questions and semi-structured qualitative interviews. RESULTS Results indicated that the PLAN manual was perceived to be helpful and easy to understand. All stakeholder groups liked the inclusion of explicit communication scripts and guidance for having conversations about ACP with loved ones and doctors. Specific feedback was given to modify PLAN to ensure it was optimized and tailored for Latino patients. Some patients noted reviewing the manual motivated engagement in ACP. CONCLUSIONS Feedback from stakeholders resulted in an optimized, user-centered version of PLAN tailored to Latino patients. Future research will examine the acceptability, feasibility, and potential efficacy of this intervention to improve engagement in ACP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan J. Shen
- Division of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, 1100 Fairview Ave. N., Mail Stop D5-290, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (C.D.L.S.); (S.Y.)
| | - Susie Cho
- School of Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA;
| | - Claudia De Los Santos
- Division of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, 1100 Fairview Ave. N., Mail Stop D5-290, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (C.D.L.S.); (S.Y.)
| | - Sarah Yarborough
- Division of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, 1100 Fairview Ave. N., Mail Stop D5-290, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (C.D.L.S.); (S.Y.)
| | - Paul K. Maciejewski
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA;
| | - Holly G. Prigerson
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA;
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21
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Wen FH, Juang YY, Prigerson HG, Chou WC, Huang CC, Hu TH, Chiang MC, Chuang LP, Tang ST. Temporal reciprocal relationships among anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder for family surrogates from intensive care units over their first two bereavement years. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:412. [PMID: 37291535 PMCID: PMC10248341 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04916-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE Bereaved family surrogates from intensive care units (ICU) are at risk of comorbid anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but the temporal reciprocal relationships among them have only been examined once among veterans. This study aimed to longitudinally investigate these never-before-examined temporal reciprocal relationships for ICU family members over their first two bereavement years. METHODS In this prospective, longitudinal, observational study, symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD were assessed among 321 family surrogates of ICU decedents from 2 academically affiliated hospitals in Taiwan by the anxiety and depression subscales of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, respectively at 1, 3, 6, 13, 18, and 24 months postloss. Cross-lagged panel modeling was conducted to longitudinally examine the temporal reciprocal relationships among anxiety, depression, and PTSD. RESULTS Examined psychological-distress levels were markedly stable over the first 2 bereavement years: autoregressive coefficients for symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD were 0.585-0.770, 0.546-0.780, and 0.440-0.780, respectively. Cross-lag coefficients showed depressive symptoms predicted PTSD symptoms in the first bereavement year, whereas PTSD symptoms predicted depressive symptoms in the second bereavement year. Anxiety symptoms predicted symptoms of depression and PTSD at 13 and 24 months postloss, whereas depressive symptoms predicted anxiety symptoms at 3 and 6 months postloss while PTSD symptoms predicted anxiety symptoms during the second bereavement year. CONCLUSIONS Different patterns of temporal relationships among symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD over the first 2 bereavement years present important opportunities to target symptoms of specific psychological distress at different points during bereavement to prevent the onset, exacerbation, or maintenance of subsequent psychological distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fur-Hsing Wen
- Department of International Business, Soochow University, Jiangsu, Taiwan, R. O. C
| | - Yeong-Yuh Juang
- Department of Psychiatry, Koo Foundation Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center, Taipei, Taiwan, R. O. C
| | - Holly G Prigerson
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Wen-Chi Chou
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, R. O. C
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, R. O. C
| | - Chung-Chi Huang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, R. O. C
- Department of Respiratory Therapy, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, R. O. C
| | - Tsung-Hui Hu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, R. O. C
| | - Ming Chu Chiang
- Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, R. O. C
| | - Li-Pang Chuang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, R. O. C
| | - Siew Tzuh Tang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, R. O. C..
- Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, R. O. C..
- School of Nursing, Medical College, Chang Gung University, 259 Wen-Hwa 1st Road, Kwei-Shan, 333, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, R. O. C..
- Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, R. O. C..
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22
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Shen MJ, Prigerson HG, Maciejewski PK. Associations between Latino ethnicity and the use of emotional support and completion of advance directives. Palliat Support Care 2023; 21:385-391. [PMID: 37039467 PMCID: PMC10264148 DOI: 10.1017/s1478951523000366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Latino patients have been shown to engage in advance care planning (ACP) at much lower rates than non-Latino White patients. Coping strategies, such as the use of emotional support, may differentially relate to engagement in ACP among Latino and non-Latino patients. The present study sought to examine the moderating effect of ethnicity on the relationship between the use of emotional support as a coping strategy and completion of advance directives. METHODS The present study employed a weighted sample (Nw = 185) of Latino and non-Latino White patient participants in Coping with Cancer III, an National Institutes of Health-sponsored, multisite, longitudinal, observational cohort study of patients with advanced cancer and their informal caregivers and oncology providers designed to evaluate Latino/non-Latino disparities in ACP and end-of-life cancer care. Main and interaction effects of Latino ethnicity and use of emotional support on patient use of advance directives were estimated as odds ratios. RESULTS Use of emotional support was associated with dramatically lower do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order completion to a greater extent among Latino as compared to non-Latino patients (interaction AOR = 0.33, p = 0.005). Interaction effects were not statistically significant for living will or health-care proxy form completion. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS Use of emotional support is associated with lower odds of completing DNRs among Latino than among non-Latino patients. Seeking and/or receiving emotional support may deter Latino patients from completing DNR orders. Research is needed to address both emotional needs and practicalities to ensure high quality end-of-life care among Latino patients with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Johnson Shen
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Holly G Prigerson
- Cornell Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Paul K Maciejewski
- Cornell Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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23
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Kaplan A, Comisar L, Ufere NN, Jannat-Khah D, Rosenblatt R, Fortune B, Prigerson HG, Brown R. Understanding Prognosis: Discrepancy in Prognosis Estimates Between Patients With Cirrhosis and their Hepatologists. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 21:1005-1012.e4. [PMID: 35643416 PMCID: PMC9699897 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2022.04.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Patients require a clear understanding of their prognosis to make informed decisions about their care. The aim of this study was to compare the perceptions of prognosis and transplant candidacy between patients with cirrhosis and their hepatologists. METHODS Patients with cirrhosis and their hepatologists were prospectively recruited at an urban liver transplant center. Patients and hepatologists were asked about transplant candidacy and about how many years patients would live with and without a liver transplant. Agreement between patients and hepatologists was assessed with the weighted kappa statistic. Associations between patient/hepatologists' prognostic estimates and those predicted by patients' Model for End-Stage Liver Disease-Sodium (MELD-Na) score were estimated using the Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS Seventy patients and 6 hepatologists were enrolled in the study. Patients were predominantly male (61.4%) and white (68.6%), with a mean MELD-Na score of 19 ± 9. There was no-slight agreement between patients and hepatologists regarding survival without and with a liver transplant (κ = 0.1 and 0.2, respectively), with patients more optimistic than their hepatologists. There was greater agreement between patients and hepatologists about transplant candidacy (κ = 0.6). There was a negligible association between MELD-Na and patient estimates (r = -0.24, P = .05) but a moderate association between MELD-Na and hepatologist estimates (r = -0.51, P < .001), with higher MELD-Na scores associated with lower predicted survival. CONCLUSIONS Patients with cirrhosis are more optimistic and less accurate in their predictions of survival compared with hepatologists, although they are more realistic about their transplant candidacy. Aligning patient and provider expectations may increase the likelihood that patients receive value-concordant care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyson Kaplan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell School of Medicine, New York Presbyterian, New York, New York
| | - Lauren Comisar
- Weill Cornell Medical College, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Nneka N Ufere
- Gastrointestinal Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Deanna Jannat-Khah
- Weill Cornell Medical College, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Russell Rosenblatt
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell School of Medicine, New York Presbyterian, New York, New York
| | - Brett Fortune
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell School of Medicine, New York Presbyterian, New York, New York
| | - Holly G Prigerson
- Weill Cornell Medical College, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Robert Brown
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell School of Medicine, New York Presbyterian, New York, New York.
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24
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Sokol LL, Troost JP, Bega D, Kluger BM, Prigerson HG, Nance M, Frank S, Perlmutter JS, Dayalu P, Cella D, Carlozzi NE. Advance Care Planning and Health-Related Quality of Life in Huntington Disease: Results from a Multicenter National Study. Palliat Med Rep 2023; 4:79-88. [PMID: 36969738 PMCID: PMC10036076 DOI: 10.1089/pmr.2022.0034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: With Huntington disease (HD), a fatal neurodegenerative disease where the prevalence of suicidal thoughts and behavior (STB) remains elevated as compared to other neurological disorders, it is unknown whether STB and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) affect plans for the end of life or more broadly, advance care planning (ACP). Conversely, it is unknown whether ACP would provoke future changes to STB and HRQoL. Therefore, we sought to evaluate whether STB and HRQoL patient-reported outcomes (PROs) contribute to ACP and whether ACP relates to changes in STB and HRQoL at 24 months. Methods: HD-validated clinician- and patient-assessments (i.e., HRQoL PROs) were obtained at baseline enrollment, 12 and 24 months through our multi-center study (HDQLIFE™) throughout the United States among people with premanifest, early-stage, and late-stage manifest HD. We used linear mixed-effects models to determine the relationships between STB and HRQoL at baseline and HDQLIFE End of Life Planning at follow-up. Separate linear mixed-effects models were used to assess the relationship between HDQLIFE End of Life Planning at baseline, and HRQoL and STB at 12 and 24 months. False discovery rate adjustments were used to account for multiple comparisons. Results: At baseline enrollment, STB and HRQoL were not related to HDQLIFE End of Life Planning at 12 or 24 months. Similarly, at baseline, HDQLIFE End of Life Planning demonstrated no association with STB or HRQoL at 12 or 24 months. Interpretation: STB and HRQoL PROs do not significantly affect patient engagement with ACP. Most importantly, engaging in ACP does not cause untoward effects on HRQoL or STB for this rare neurodegenerative disease where the lifetime prevalence of STB approaches 30%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonard L. Sokol
- The Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- McGaw Bioethics Scholars Program, Center for Bioethics and Humanities, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Address correspondence to: Leonard L. Sokol, MD, Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, Box 0125, 521 Parnassus Avenue, Floor 5, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
| | - Jonathan P. Troost
- Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Danny Bega
- The Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Benzi M. Kluger
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Holly G. Prigerson
- Cornell Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Martha Nance
- Struthers Parkinson's Center, Golden Valley, Minnesota, USA
| | - Samuel Frank
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joel S. Perlmutter
- Neurology, Radiology, Neuroscience, Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Praveen Dayalu
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - David Cella
- The Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Noelle E. Carlozzi
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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25
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Hahne J, Carpenter BD, Epstein AS, Prigerson HG, Derry-Vick HM. Communication Skills Training for Oncology Clinicians After the 21st Century Cures Act: The Need to Contextualize Patient Portal-Delivered Test Results. JCO Oncol Pract 2023; 19:99-102. [PMID: 36356282 PMCID: PMC10022885 DOI: 10.1200/op.22.00567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Hahne
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO
| | - Brian D. Carpenter
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO
| | | | - Holly G. Prigerson
- Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Heather M. Derry-Vick
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, NJ
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, NJ
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26
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Derry-Vick HM, Heathcote LC, Glesby N, Stribling J, Luebke M, Epstein AS, Prigerson HG. Scanxiety among Adults with Cancer: A Scoping Review to Guide Research and Interventions. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:1381. [PMID: 36900174 PMCID: PMC10000102 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15051381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Scan-related anxiety ("scanxiety") is distressing to people living with and beyond cancer. We conducted a scoping review to promote conceptual clarity, identify research practices and gaps, and guide intervention strategies for adults with a current or prior cancer diagnosis. Methods: Following a systematic search, we screened 6820 titles and abstracts, evaluated 152 full-text articles, and selected 36 articles. Definitions, study designs, measurement methods, correlates, and consequences of scanxiety were extracted and summarized. Results: The reviewed articles included individuals living with current cancer (n = 17) and those in the post-treatment phase (n = 19), across a breadth of cancer types and disease stages. In five articles, authors explicitly defined scanxiety. Multiple components of scanxiety were described, including those related to scan procedures (e.g., claustrophobia, physical discomfort) and scan results (e.g., implications for disease status and treatment), suggesting varied intervention approaches may be needed. Twenty-two articles used quantitative methods, nine used qualitative methods, and five used mixed methods. In 17 articles, symptom measures specifically referenced cancer scans; 24 included general measures without reference to scans. Scanxiety tended to be higher among those with lower education levels, less time since diagnosis, and greater baseline anxiety levels (three articles each). Although scanxiety often decreased immediately pre- to post-scan (six articles), participants reported the waiting period between scan and results to be particularly stressful (six articles). Consequences of scanxiety included poorer quality of life and somatic symptoms. Scanxiety promoted follow-up care for some patients yet hindered it for others. Conclusions: Scanxiety is multi-faceted, heightened during the pre-scan and scan-to-results waiting periods, and associated with clinically meaningful outcomes. We discuss how these findings can inform future research directions and intervention approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather M. Derry-Vick
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, NJ 07110, USA
- Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, NJ 07110, USA
| | - Lauren C. Heathcote
- Health Psychology Section, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | | | | | - Matthew Luebke
- Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, NJ 07110, USA
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Prigerson HG, Viola M, Maciejewski PK, Falzarano F. Advance care planning (ACP) to promote receipt of value-concordant care: Results vary according to patient priorities. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0280197. [PMID: 36630471 PMCID: PMC9833543 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Benefits of advance care planning (ACP) have recently been questioned by experts, but ACP is comprised of discrete activities. Little is known about which, if any, ACP activities are associated with patients' greater likelihood of receiving value-concordant end-of-life (EoL) care. OBJECTIVES To determine which ACP activities [Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) order completion, designation of a healthcare proxy (HCP), and/or EoL discussions with physicians], individually and in combination, are associated with the greatest likelihood of receiving value-concordant care, and how results may vary based on patient-reported EoL care priorities. METHODS Data from 2 federally-funded, multisite, prospective cohort studies of EoL cancer care from 2002-2019 were analyzed. Cancer patients (N = 278) with metastatic disease refractory to chemotherapy were interviewed for a baseline assessment and followed prospectively until death. Interviews regarding patient priorities occurred a median of 111 days prior to death; data regarding EoL medical care were collected post-mortem from caregiver interviews and medical record abstraction. Patients who 1) prioritized life-extending care, and then received life-extending care (or avoided hospice care), or 2) prioritized comfort-focused care, and then avoided life-extending care (or received hospice care) in the last week of life, were coded as receiving value-concordant care. RESULTS After inverse propensity score weighting, the ACP combination associated with the largest proportion of patients receiving value-concordant care was DNR, HCP, and EoL discussions (87% vs. 64% for no ACP activities; OR = 3.91, p = 0.006). In weighted analyses examining each ACP activity individually, DNR orders were associated with decreased likelihood of life-extending care (89% vs. 75%; p = 0.005) and EoL discussions were associated with increased likelihood of hospice care (77% vs. 55%; p = 0.002) among patients prioritizing comfort. ACP activities were not significantly associated with increased likelihood of receiving value-concordant care among patients prioritizing life-extension. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE For patients who prioritize comfort, EoL discussions with physicians and completion of DNR orders may improve odds of receiving value-concordant EoL care. For patients who prioritize life-extension, ACP does not appear to improve odds of receiving value-concordant EoL care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly G. Prigerson
- Cornell Center for Research on End-of Life Care, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Martin Viola
- Cornell Center for Research on End-of Life Care, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Paul K. Maciejewski
- Cornell Center for Research on End-of Life Care, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Francesca Falzarano
- Cornell Center for Research on End-of Life Care, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
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28
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Luth EA, Prigerson HG. Socioeconomic Status, Race/Ethnicity, and Unexpected Variation in Dementia Classification in Longitudinal Survey Data. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2022; 77:e234-e246. [PMID: 36048568 PMCID: PMC9799200 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbac128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES As dementia affects a growing number of older adults, it is important to understand its detection and progression. We identified patterns in dementia classification over time using a longitudinal, nationally representative sample of older adults. We examined the relationship between socioeconomic status and race/ethnicity, and patterns in dementia classification. METHODS Data for 7,218 Medicare beneficiaries from the 2011-2017 National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) were classified into five categories: consistently no dementia, consistently cognitive impairment, "typical" dementia progression, "expected" variation, and "unexpected" variation. Multivariable multinomial logistic regression assessed relative risk of dementia classification by sociodemographic and health factors. RESULTS Among NHATS respondents, 59.5% consistently were recorded as having no dementia, 7% consistently cognitively impaired, 13% as having typical progression, 15% as having expected variation, and 5.5% as having unexpected variation. In multivariable models, compared with consistent dementia classification, less education, Medicare-Medicaid-dual enrollment, and identifying as non-Hispanic Black were associated with increased likelihood of unexpected variation (e.g., non-Hispanic Black adjusted risk ratio: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.61-2.78, p < .0001). DISCUSSION A significant minority of individuals have unexpected patterns of dementia classification over time, particularly individuals with low socioeconomic status and identifying as non-Hispanic Black. Dementia classification uncertainty may make it challenging to activate resources (e.g., health care, caregiving) for effective disease management, underscoring the need to support persons from at-risk groups and to carefully evaluate cognitive assessment tools to ensure they are equally reliable across groups to avoid magnifying disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Luth
- Institute for Health, Healthcare Policy and Aging Research, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersy, USA
| | - Holly G Prigerson
- Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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29
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Li J, Braun RT, Kakarala S, Prigerson HG. How Should Cost-Informed Goals of Care Decisions Be Facilitated at Life's End? AMA J Ethics 2022; 24:E1040-E1048. [PMID: 36342486 PMCID: PMC9811733 DOI: 10.1001/amajethics.2022.1040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Interventions near patients' deaths in the United States are often expensive, burdensome, and inconsistent with patients' goals and preferences. For patients and their loved ones to make informed care decisions, physicians must share adequate information about prognoses, prospective benefits and harms of specific interventions, and costs. This commentary on a case discusses strategies for sharing such information and suggests that properly designed advance care planning incentives can help improve communication and decision sharing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Assistant professor in the Comparative Health Outcomes, Policy, and Economics Institute and in the Department of Pharmacy in the School of Pharmacy at the University of Washington in Seattle
| | - Robert Tyler Braun
- Assistant professor in the Division of Health Policy and Economics in the Department of Population Health Sciences at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City
| | - Sophia Kakarala
- Research assistant at the Center for Research on End-of-Life Care at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City
| | - Holly G Prigerson
- Irving Sherwood Wright Professor of Geriatrics at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City
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Wen FH, Prigerson HG, Chou WC, Huang CC, Hu TH, Chiang MC, Chuang LP, Tang ST. How symptoms of prolonged grief disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and depression relate to each other for grieving ICU families during the first two years of bereavement. Crit Care 2022; 26:336. [PMID: 36320037 PMCID: PMC9628049 DOI: 10.1186/s13054-022-04216-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bereaved ICU family surrogates are at risk of comorbid prolonged grief disorder (PGD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression. Knowledge about temporal relationships between PGD, PTSD, and depression is limited by a lack of relevant studies and diverse or inappropriate assessment time frames given the duration criterion for PGD. We aimed to determine the temporal reciprocal relationships between PGD, PTSD, and depressive symptoms among ICU decedents’ family surrogates during their first 2 bereavement years with an assessment time frame reflecting the PGD duration criterion. Methods This prospective, longitudinal, observational study examined PGD, PTSD, and depressive symptoms among 303 family surrogates of ICU decedents from two academic hospitals using 11 items of the Prolonged Grief Disorder-13, the Impact of Event Scale—Revised, and the depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, respectively, at 6, 13, 18, and 24 months post-loss. Cross-lagged panel modeling was conducted: autoregressive coefficients indicate variable stability, and cross-lagged coefficients indicate the strength of reciprocal relationships among variables between time points. Results Symptoms (autoregressive coefficients) of PGD (0.570–0.673), PTSD (0.375–0.687), and depression (0.591–0.655) were stable over time. Cross-lagged standardized coefficients showed that depressive symptoms measured at 6 months post-loss predicted subsequent symptoms of PGD (0.146) and PTSD (0.208) at 13 months post-loss. PGD symptoms did not predict depressive symptoms. PTSD symptoms predicted subsequent depressive symptoms in the second bereavement year (0.175–0.278). PGD symptoms consistently predicted subsequent PTSD symptoms in the first 2 bereavement years (0.180–0.263), whereas PTSD symptoms predicted subsequent PGD symptoms in the second bereavement year only (0.190–0.214). PGD and PTSD symptoms are bidirectionally related in the second bereavement year. Conclusions PGD, PTSD, and depressive symptoms can persist for 2 bereavement years. Higher PGD symptoms at 6 months post-loss contributed to the exacerbation of PTSD symptoms over time, whereas long-lasting PTSD symptoms were associated with prolonged depression and PGD symptoms beyond the first bereavement year. Identification and alleviation of depression and PGD symptoms as early as 6 months post-loss enables bereaved surrogates to grieve effectively and avoid the evolution of those symptoms into long-lasting PGD, PTSD, and depression. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13054-022-04216-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fur-Hsing Wen
- Department of International Business, Soochow University, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Holly G Prigerson
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Wen-Chi Chou
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, R.O.C.,College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Chung-Chi Huang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, R.O.C.,Department of Respiratory Therapy, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Tsung-Hui Hu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Ming Chu Chiang
- Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Li-Pang Chuang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Siew Tzuh Tang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, R.O.C.. .,Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, R.O.C.. .,School of Nursing, Medical College, Chang Gung University, 259 Wen-Hwa 1St Road, Kwei-Shan, Tao-Yuan, 333, Taiwan, R.O.C.. .,Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, R.O.C..
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Luth EA, Manful A, Prigerson HG, Xiang L, Reich A, Semco R, Weissman JS. Associations between dementia diagnosis and end-of-life care utilization. J Am Geriatr Soc 2022; 70:2871-2883. [PMID: 35822659 PMCID: PMC9588556 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.17952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dementia is a leading cause of death for older adults and is more common among persons from racial/ethnic minoritized groups, who also tend to experience more intensive end-of-life care. This retrospective cohort study compared end-of-life care in persons with and without dementia and identified dementia's moderating effects on the relationship between race/ethnicity and end-of-life care. METHODS Administrative claims data for 463,590 Medicare fee-for-service decedents from 2016 to 2018 were analyzed. Multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses examined the association of dementia with 5 intensive and 2 quality of life-focused measures. Intensity measures included hospital admission, ICU admission, receipt of any of 5 intensive procedures (CPR, mechanical ventilation, intubation, dialysis initiation, and feeding tube insertion), hospital death, and Medicare expenditures (last 30 days of life). Quality of life measures included timely hospice care (>3 days before death) and days at home (last 6 months of life). Models were adjusted for demographic and clinical factors. RESULTS 54% of Medicare decedents were female, 85% non-Hispanic White, 8% non-Hispanic Black, and 4% Hispanic. Overall, 51% had a dementia diagnosis claim. In adjusted models, decedents with dementia had 16%-29% lower odds of receiving intensive services (AOR hospital death: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.70-0.72; AOR hospital admission: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.83-0.86). Patients with dementia had 45% higher odds of receiving timely hospice (AOR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.42-1.47), but spent 0.74 fewer days at home (adjusted mean: -0.74, 95% CI: (-0.98)-(-0.49)). Compared to non-Hispanic White individuals, persons from racial/ethnic minoritized groups were more likely to receive intensive services. This effect was more pronounced among persons with dementia. CONCLUSIONS Although overall dementia was associated with fewer intensive services near death, beneficiaries from racial/ethnic groups minoritized with dementia experienced more intensive service use. Particular attention is needed to ensure care aligns with the needs and preferences of persons with dementia and from racial/ethnic minoritized groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A. Luth
- Institute for Health, Healthcare Policy and Aging Research, Department of Family Medicine and Community HealthRutgers UniversityNew BrunswickNew JerseyUSA
| | - Adoma Manful
- School of Medicine, Division of EpidemiologyVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleUSA
| | - Holly G. Prigerson
- Department of Geriatrics and Palliative MedicineWeill Cornell MedicineNew York CityNew YorkUSA
| | - Lingwei Xiang
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's HospitalHarvard UniversityCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | - Amanda Reich
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's HospitalHarvard UniversityCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | | | - Joel S. Weissman
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's HospitalHarvard UniversityCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
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Falzarano F, Winoker H, Burke RV, Mendoza JA, Munoz F, Tergas A, Maciejewski PK, Prigerson HG. Grief and Bereavement in the Latino/a Community: A Literature Synthesis and Directions for Future Research. Health Equity 2022; 6:696-707. [PMID: 36225662 PMCID: PMC9536343 DOI: 10.1089/heq.2022.0031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Bereavement and grief are social phenomena influenced by a multitude of cultural factors. Prior studies of bereavement adjustment have primarily focused on bereaved survivors who identify racially as white; knowledge of the experience of grief and bereavement among racial/ethnic and other minority groups, particularly among Latino/a groups, in the United States is limited. Objective The purpose of this review is to synthesize the literature documenting the bereavement experiences of the Latino/a community, evaluate the strength of the current evidence, and provide recommendations to guide future research. Method A narrative review of research on grief and bereavement in the Latino/a community published between 1990 and 2021. Two authors used a thematic, deductive approach to categorize emergent prevalent themes from the literature and used The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) and The Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine-Evidence Quality Rating Scale (OCEBM) approaches to evaluate the strength of the qualitative and quantitative reports reviewed. Results Searches revealed 26 reports that were categorized into six themes: cultural values, mourning rituals, immigration, spirituality, disparities related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the effects of COVID-19 on Latino/a communities. Our evaluation concludes that the evidence in this area is weak, with limited methodologically rigorous research examining the influence of culture on bereavement among Latino/a groups. Conclusion Research is needed to identify Latino/a groups' mental health, cultural, social, and family needs and how fulfillment of mourning rituals and other cultural factors may promote or impede bereavement adjustment. Investigation into factors that may protect bereaved survivors against adverse mental health outcomes is also needed. A better understanding of Latino/a grief and bereavement is a step toward the development of culturally competent interventions designed to promote the mental health and psychosocial adjustment of Latino/a mourners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Falzarano
- Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Division of Geriatrics & Palliative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Hillary Winoker
- Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Division of Geriatrics & Palliative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Paul K. Maciejewski
- Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Division of Geriatrics & Palliative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Holly G. Prigerson
- Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Division of Geriatrics & Palliative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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Prigerson HG, Maciejewski PK. Prolonged grief disorder. Lancet Psychiatry 2022; 9:696. [PMID: 35964579 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(22)00263-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Holly G Prigerson
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA.
| | - Paul K Maciejewski
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
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Tergas AI, Prigerson HG, Shen MJ, Neugut AI, Maciejewski PK. Disparities in Therapeutic Alliance Among Latino Immigrants With Advanced Cancer. J Pain Symptom Manage 2022; 64:e173-e176. [PMID: 35700931 PMCID: PMC10026842 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2022.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Isabel Tergas
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Surgery, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, California, USA; Division of Health Equity, Department of Population Science, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, California, USA; Cornell Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Weill Cornell, New York, New York, USA.
| | - Holly G Prigerson
- Cornell Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Weill Cornell, New York, New York, USA; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Megan J Shen
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Alfred I Neugut
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Paul K Maciejewski
- Cornell Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Weill Cornell, New York, New York, USA; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA; Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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35
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Viola M, Braun RT, Luth EA, Pan CX, Lief L, Gang J, Adamou Z, Dodd P, Prigerson HG. Associations of Intellectual Disability with Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Endotracheal Intubation at End of Life. J Palliat Med 2022; 25:1268-1272. [PMID: 35442779 PMCID: PMC9347372 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2021.0584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Little is known about end-of-life intensive care provided to patients with intellectual disabilities (ID). Objectives: To identify differences in receipt of end-of-life cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and endotracheal intubation among adult patients with and without ID and examine whether do-not-resuscitate orders (DNRs) mediate associations between ID and CPR. Design: Exploratory matched cohort study using medical records of inpatient decedents treated between 2012 and 2018. Results: Patients with ID (n = 37) more frequently received CPR (37.8% vs. 21.6%) and intubation (78.4% vs. 47.8%) than patients without ID (n = 74). In multivariable models, ID was associated with receiving CPR (relative risk [RR] = 2.92, 95% confidence interval = 1.26-6.78, p = 0.012), but not intubation. Patients with ID less frequently had a DNR placed (67.6% vs. 91.9%), mediating associations between ID and CPR. Conclusions: In this pilot study, ID was associated with increased likelihood of receiving end-of-life CPR, likely due to lower utilization of DNRs among patients with ID. Further research is needed to confirm these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Viola
- Center for Research on End-of-Life Care and Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Robert Tyler Braun
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Elizabeth A. Luth
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Institute for Health, Healthcare Policy and Aging Research, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Cynthia X. Pan
- Division of Palliative Medicine and Geriatrics, New York Presbyterian Queens Hospital, Flushing, New York, USA
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Lindsay Lief
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - James Gang
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Zara Adamou
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Philip Dodd
- University of Dublin, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Psychiatry, St Michael's House Intellectual Disability Services
| | - Holly G. Prigerson
- Center for Research on End-of-Life Care and Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
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36
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Sekowski M, Prigerson HG. Associations between symptoms of prolonged grief disorder and depression and suicidal ideation. British J Clinic Psychol 2022; 61:1211-1218. [DOI: 10.1111/bjc.12381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Sekowski
- Department of Psychology The Maria Grzegorzewska University Warsaw Poland
| | - Holly G. Prigerson
- Cornell Center for Research on End‐of‐Life Care Weill Cornell Medicine New York New York USA
- Department of Medicine Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine Weill Cornell Medicine New York New York USA
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Tergas AI, Prigerson HG, Shen MJ, Dinicu AI, Neugut AI, Wright JD, Hershman DL, Maciejewski PK. Association between immigrant status and advanced cancer patients' location and quality of death. Cancer 2022; 128:3352-3359. [PMID: 35801713 PMCID: PMC9542060 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.34385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Background Cancer patients often prefer to die at home, a location associated with better quality of death (QoD). Several studies demonstrate disparities in end‐of‐life care among immigrant populations in the United States. This study aimed to evaluate how immigrant status affects location and quality of death among patients with advanced cancer in the United States. Methods Data were derived from Coping with Cancer, a federally funded multi‐site prospective study of advanced cancer patients and caregivers. The sample of patients who died during the study period was weighted (Nw = 308) to reduce statistically significant differences between immigrant (Nw = 49) and nonimmigrant (Nw = 259) study participants. Primary outcomes were location of death, death at preferred location, and poor QoD. Results Analyses adjusted for covariates indicated that patients who were immigrants were more likely to die in a hospital than home (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 3.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.65–6.71) and less likely to die where they preferred (AOR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.20–0.90). Furthermore, immigrants were more likely to have poor QoD (AOR, 5.47; 95% CI, 2.70–11.08). Conclusions Immigrants, as compared to nonimmigrants, are more likely to die in hospital settings, less likely to die at their preferred location, and more likely to have poor QoD. Lay summary Cancer patients typically prefer to die in their own homes, which is associated with improved quality of death. However, disparities in end‐of‐life care among immigrant populations in the United States remain significant. Our study found that immigrants are less likely to die in their preferred locations and more likely to die in hospital settings, resulting in poorer quality of death.
Disparities in end‐of‐life care and quality of death are prevalent among immigrants. The findings of this study illustrate that immigrants in the United States are more likely to die in hospital settings and less likely to die at their preferred location.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana I Tergas
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Surgery, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, California, USA.,Division of Health Equity, Department of Population Science, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, California, USA.,Cornell Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Holly G Prigerson
- Cornell Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Megan J Shen
- Cornell Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Andreea I Dinicu
- Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Alfred I Neugut
- Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.,Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA.,Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.,New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jason D Wright
- Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA.,Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.,New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Dawn L Hershman
- Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.,Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA.,Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.,New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Paul K Maciejewski
- Cornell Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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Reich AJ, Manful A, Candrian C, Semco RS, Ladin K, Prigerson HG, Weissman JS. Use of Advance Care Planning Codes Among Transgender Medicare Beneficiaries. LGBT Health 2022; 9:520-524. [PMID: 35759464 DOI: 10.1089/lgbt.2021.0340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: We examined the use of advance care planning (ACP) among Medicare beneficiaries who were identified as transgender. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional analysis of Medicare claims from 2016 to 2018, comparing ACP visits between transgender and other beneficiaries. Results: Beneficiaries identified as transgender were slightly more likely than those who were dual eligible for Medicaid and Medicare, and the remaining fee-for-service Medicare population, to have received a claim for ACP. However, racial and ethnic differences exist and transgender beneficiaries were more likely to receive an ACP claim from hospice/palliative care clinicians compared with primary care clinicians relative to other beneficiaries. Conclusions: Differences in ACP provision may exacerbate disparities in access to ACP benefits faced by transgender patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda J Reich
- Department of Surgery, Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Adoma Manful
- Department of Surgery, Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Carey Candrian
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Robert S Semco
- Department of Surgery, Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Keren Ladin
- Department of Occupational Therapy and Community Health, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Holly G Prigerson
- Cornell Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joel S Weissman
- Department of Surgery, Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Hwang Y, Lee DH, Prigerson HG. Psychometric properties, stability, and predictive validity of the Korean version of the Prolonged Grief Disorder Scale (PG-13-K): A longitudinal study among bereaved Koreans. Death Stud 2022; 47:410-420. [PMID: 35674060 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2022.2081884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the psychometric properties, stability, and predictive validity of the PG-13-K. Two subsamples were used: the first subsample (N = 153), participated at Time 1 only, and the second subsample (N = 184) participated at both Time 1 and Time 2. At each time point, reliability, test-retest reliability, and validity were adequate, and the hypothesized two-factor model indicated good to excellent fit. Moreover, the PG-13-K was able to predict the correlation between prolonged grief disorder (PGD) and negative psychological factors. The PG-13-K is a useful and valid instrument for measuring PGD symptoms in Korean settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujin Hwang
- Department of Education, Traumatic Stress Center, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Hun Lee
- Department of Education, Traumatic Stress Center, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Holly G Prigerson
- Cornell Center for Research on End-of-Live Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York City, New York, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York City, New York, USA
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Abstract
PURPOSE To examine associations between financial hardship and suicidal ideation among bereaved informal caregivers of cancer patients. DESIGN Longitudinal cohort study. SAMPLE 173 informal caregivers of advanced cancer patients. METHODS Caregivers were interviewed a median 3.1 months before and 6.5 months after the death of the patient they cared for. Logistic regression models estimated associations between caregiver-perceived pre-loss and post-loss financial hardship due to the patient's illness and post-loss suicidal ideation. FINDINGS Suicidal ideation was identified in 12% (n = 21) of the sample pre-loss, rising to 20% (n = 34) post-loss (p=.049). Pre-loss financial hardship (OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.5-7.4, p=.002) and post-loss financial hardship (OR = 3.7, 95% CI = 1.7-8.2, p=.001) were each bivariately associated with post-loss suicidal ideation. In multivariable models adjusting for pre-loss suicidal ideation, psychiatric diagnosis, and spousal relationship to the patient, post-loss financial hardship remained significantly associated with post-loss suicidal ideation (AOR = 3.6, 95% CI = 1.4-8.8, p=.006). CONCLUSION Among a cohort of cancer caregivers followed from active caregiving into bereavement, post-loss financial hardship was associated with suicidal ideation in bereavement. IMPLICATIONS Economic policies that financially benefit caregivers may represent promising strategies for preventing suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Viola
- Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - James Gang
- Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Paul K. Maciejewski
- Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Holly G. Prigerson
- Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
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Walsh LE, Polacek LC, Panageas K, Reiner A, Walbert T, Thomas AA, Buthorn J, Sigler A, Prigerson HG, Applebaum AJ, Diamond EL. Coping with glioblastoma: prognostic communication and prognostic understanding among patients with recurrent glioblastoma, caregivers, and oncologists. J Neurooncol 2022; 158:69-79. [PMID: 35437688 PMCID: PMC10022487 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-022-04010-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Glioblastoma (GBM) is a devastating neuro-oncologic disease with invariably poor prognosis. Despite this, research shows patients have unrealistic perceptions of their prognosis, which may relate in part to communication patterns between patients, caregivers and oncologists. The purpose of this study was to examine communication processes and goals among patients, caregivers, and oncologists to elucidate drivers of prognostic understanding (PU) in the context of recurrent GBM. METHODS This was a prospective, multi-center study enrolling adult patients with GBM, caregivers, and oncologists, who independently reported the content of a specific discussion involving the disclosure of GBM recurrence. Communication processes and goals were characterized for each participant, and concordance between all dyads and patient-caregiver-oncologist triads were calculated. RESULTS Seventeen patient, caregiver, and oncologist triads were analyzed. At the individual level, three (17.6%) patients and 8 (47.1%) caregivers reported having discussed prognosis during the clinical encounter, as compared to ten oncologists (58.8%). Seven patients (41.2%) and 5 caregivers (29.4%), versus thirteen oncologists (76.5%) reported ever discussing prognosis or life expectancy at previous appointments. Generally, patient-caregiver concordance (i.e., both answered the same) regarding communication goals and processes was low. Triads showed limited concordant responses in discussing curability (n = 5), prognosis (n = 4), end-of-life treatment goals (n = 4), and ever discussing prognosis (n = 3). CONCLUSION Patients, caregivers and oncologists had discordant views regarding communication processes and prognostic goals, even when recalling a single discussion. This study highlights the importance of clear and frequent communication about prognosis, and the need for further research on communication and PU in the neuro-oncology setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah E Walsh
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Laura C Polacek
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Katherine Panageas
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anne Reiner
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tobias Walbert
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Henry Ford Health System and Department of Neurology Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Alissa A Thomas
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Justin Buthorn
- Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Allison Sigler
- Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Holly G Prigerson
- Department of Medicine, Center for Research on End of Life Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Allison J Applebaum
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eli L Diamond
- Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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42
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Wen FH, Chou WC, Prigerson HG, Shen WC, Hsu MH, Tang ST. Predictors of Family Caregivers' Depressive- and Prolonged-Grief-Disorder-Symptom Trajectories. J Pain Symptom Manage 2022; 63:476-484.e1. [PMID: 34971750 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2021.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Depression and prolonged grief disorder (PGD) are related but distinct constructs with different risk factors and treatments. We aimed to determine commonality and differences in factors predicting membership in depressive- and PGD-symptom trajectories to highlight uniqueness of each construct to guide further care and treatments. METHODS We previously identified four shared trajectories for depressive- and PGD-symptom trajectories (endurance, transient-reaction, resilience, and prolonged-symptomatic) with unique trajectories of chronically distressed and potential recurrence for depressive and PGD symptoms, respectively. This secondary-analysis study examined pre- and postloss factors predisposing 849 bereaved caregivers of cancer patients to membership in depressive- and PGD-symptom trajectories from the integrative framework of predictors for bereavement outcomes by a multinomial logistic regression model (the "endurance" trajectory as reference). RESULTS Common factors predicted membership in depressive- and PGD-symptom trajectories: higher postloss personal coping capacity protected from more distressing symptom trajectories, spousal relationship with the patient predicted membership in the transient-reaction trajectory, while financial hardship and preloss depressive symptoms predicted for the resilience trajectory. Yet, accurate prognostic awareness protected caregivers from more distressing depressive-symptom trajectories only. Higher preloss subjective caregiving burden protected caregivers from the four more distressing depressive-symptom trajectories but only from the transient-reaction and resilience trajectories for PGD symptoms. CONCLUSION Commonality and differences in factors predicting membership in PGD- and depressive-symptom trajectories confirm that PGD and depression are related but distinct constructs. Interventions should be tailored to caregivers' unique risk profile for depressive- and PGD-symptom trajectories to reduce the likelihood of suffering both or individual symptom trajectories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fur-Hsing Wen
- Department of International Business, Soochow University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wen-Chi Chou
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Holly G Prigerson
- Sociology in Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Wen-Chi Shen
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Mei Huang Hsu
- School of Nursing, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Siew Tzuh Tang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC; School of Nursing, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - M Katherine Shear
- Center for Prolonged Grief, Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, New York.,Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Charles F Reynolds
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Gang J, Falzarano F, She WJ, Winoker H, Prigerson HG. Are deaths from COVID-19 associated with higher rates of prolonged grief disorder (PGD) than deaths from other causes? Death Stud 2022; 46:1287-1296. [PMID: 35167429 PMCID: PMC9254485 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2022.2039326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
With the COVID-19 pandemic prompting predictions of a "grief pandemic," rates and risks for Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) warrant further investigation. Data were collected online from 1470 respondents between October 2020 and July 2021. Shorter time since death, deaths of siblings and "others," and deaths from accidents and homicides were positively associated with potential risk of probable PGD; deaths of extended family and from dementia were negatively associated with probable PGD. When compared directly to deaths from COVID-19, natural causes of death were associated with lower potential risk of probable PGD, while deaths from unnatural causes were associated with higher potential risk.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francesca Falzarano
- Center for Research on End-of Life Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Wan Jou She
- Center for Research on End-of Life Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Hillary Winoker
- Center for Research on End-of Life Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Holly G Prigerson
- Center for Research on End-of Life Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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45
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Wen F, Prigerson HG, Chou W, Chen J, Chang W, Hsu MH, Tang ST. Prolonged grief disorder and depression are distinguishable syndromes: a latent transition analysis for bereaved family caregivers of cancer patients. Psychooncology 2022; 31:1144-1151. [PMID: 35156739 DOI: 10.1002/pon.5902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fur‐Hsing Wen
- Department of International Business Soochow University Taipei Taiwan ROC
- Sociology in Medicine Weill Cornell Medical College. New York City New York USA
| | - Holly G. Prigerson
- Division of Hematology‐Oncology Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou Tao‐Yuan Taiwan ROC
- College of Medicine Chang Gung University Tao‐Yuan Taiwan ROC
| | - Wen‐Chi Chou
- School of Nursing Chang Gung University Tao‐Yuan Taiwan ROC
- Department of Nursing Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung Taiwan ROC
| | - Jen‐Shi Chen
- School of Nursing Chang Gung University Tao‐Yuan Taiwan ROC
- Department of Nursing Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung Taiwan ROC
| | - Wen‐Cheng Chang
- School of Nursing Chang Gung University Tao‐Yuan Taiwan ROC
- Department of Nursing Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung Taiwan ROC
| | - Mei Huang Hsu
- College of Medicine Chang Gung University Tao‐Yuan Taiwan ROC
| | - Siew Tzuh Tang
- School of Nursing Chang Gung University Tao‐Yuan Taiwan ROC
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46
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Sekowski M, Prigerson HG. Disorganized attachment and prolonged grief. J Clin Psychol 2022; 78:1806-1823. [PMID: 35132649 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE While the relationship between attachment anxiety and avoidance and the severity of prolonged grief disorder (PGD) has been well-studied, less is known about the relationship between disorganized attachment and PGD. We test the associations between disorganized attachment and the interaction between it and attachment avoidance and anxiety on PGD. METHOD Participants (N = 258) who had lost a family member from 0.5 to 8.0 years before the survey completed the experiences in close relationships-revised, the adult disorganized attachment scale, and the PGD-13 scale. RESULTS The model explaining PGD symptoms through attachment, taking into account the level of disorganized attachment, explained variance in PGD significantly better than the model taking into account only the level of attachment anxiety and avoidance as predictors. Additionally, the relationships between attachment avoidance and PGD were positive, negative, or neither, depending on the configuration of the levels of disorganized attachment and attachment anxiety. CONCLUSION Future research into the relationships between attachment and PGD should take into account disorganized attachment. Attachment-informed grief therapy focused on insecure styles of attachment - including the disorganized style - to the deceased person and other loved ones may prove a promising approach for bereaved persons who experience PGD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Sekowski
- Department of Psychology, The Maria Grzegorzewska University, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Holly G Prigerson
- Cornell Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York City, New York, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York City, New York, USA
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47
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Maciejewski PK, Falzarano FB, She WJ, Lichtenthal WG, Prigerson HG. A micro-sociological theory of adjustment to loss. Curr Opin Psychol 2022; 43:96-101. [PMID: 34333375 PMCID: PMC8738773 DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Although grief is a reaction to a social loss, it has been viewed almost exclusively through the lens of individual psychology and not sociology. In this article, we suggest that more attention to sociological aspects of grief is warranted. We propose a micro-sociological theory of bereavement and grief to complement, not replace, psychological perspectives. We assert that bereavement represents a state of loss-associated social deprivations (e.g. social disconnection). Furthermore, we postulate that addressing social deprivations (e.g. enhancing social connection) will lessen severity of distressing, disabling grief and, thereby, promote adjustment to loss. Future research is needed to test our theory and the hypotheses that follow from it in the service of promoting adaptation to bereavement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul K Maciejewski
- Cornell Center for Research on End-of-Live Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Francesca B Falzarano
- Cornell Center for Research on End-of-Live Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Wan Jou She
- Cornell Center for Research on End-of-Live Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Wendy G Lichtenthal
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Holly G Prigerson
- Cornell Center for Research on End-of-Live Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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48
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George LS, Matsoukas K, McFarland DC, Bowers JM, Doherty MJ, Kwon YS, Atkinson TM, Kozlov E, Saraiya B, Prigerson HG, Breitbart W. Interventions to Improve Prognostic Understanding in Advanced Stages of Life-Limiting Illness: A Systematic Review. J Pain Symptom Manage 2022; 63:e212-e223. [PMID: 34508816 PMCID: PMC8816856 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2021.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Among patients with advanced life-limiting illness, an inaccurate understanding of prognosis is common and associated with negative outcomes. Recent years have seen an emergence of new interventions tested for their potential to improve prognostic understanding. However, this literature has yet to be synthesized. OBJECTIVES To identify and characterize tested interventions, summarize intervention findings, and outline directions for future research. METHODS Systematic searches were conducted in five databases - PubMed/MEDLINE (NLM), EMBASE (Elsevier), CINAHL (EBSCO), PsycINFO (OVID), and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Wiley) - to identify interventions evaluated within a randomized controlled design for their impact on prognostic understanding. RESULTS Of the 2354 initial articles, 12 were selected for final inclusion, representing nine unique interventions. Intervention types included decision aids accompanying medical consults, palliative care consultations, communication training for patients and physicians, and targeted discussions regarding prognosis and treatment decision making. Common components of interventions included provision of prognostic information, assistance with end-of-life care planning, and provision of decisional and emotional support during discussions. Most interventions were associated with some indication of improvement in prognostic understanding. However, even after intervention, inaccurate prognostic understanding was common, with 31-95 percent of patients in intervention groups exhibiting inaccurate perceptions of their prognosis. CONCLUSION Prognostic understanding interventions hold the potential to improve patient understanding and thus informed decision making, but limitations exist. Future research should examine why many patients receiving intervention may continue to maintain inaccurate perceptions, and identify which intervention components can best enhance informed, value-consistent decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Login S George
- Rutgers University (L.S.G., Y.S.K., E.K., B.S.), New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
| | - Konstantina Matsoukas
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (K.M., J.M.B., M.J.D., T.M.A., W.B.), New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Jennifer M Bowers
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (K.M., J.M.B., M.J.D., T.M.A., W.B.), New York, NY, USA
| | - Meredith J Doherty
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (K.M., J.M.B., M.J.D., T.M.A., W.B.), New York, NY, USA
| | - Young Suk Kwon
- Rutgers University (L.S.G., Y.S.K., E.K., B.S.), New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Thomas M Atkinson
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (K.M., J.M.B., M.J.D., T.M.A., W.B.), New York, NY, USA
| | - Elissa Kozlov
- Rutgers University (L.S.G., Y.S.K., E.K., B.S.), New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Biren Saraiya
- Rutgers University (L.S.G., Y.S.K., E.K., B.S.), New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | | | - William Breitbart
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (K.M., J.M.B., M.J.D., T.M.A., W.B.), New York, NY, USA
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Viola M, Ouyang D, Xu J, Maciejewski PK, Prigerson HG, Derry HM. Associations between beta-blocker use and psychological distress in bereaved adults with cardiovascular conditions. Stress Health 2022; 38:147-153. [PMID: 33977672 PMCID: PMC8581070 DOI: 10.1002/smi.3061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The death of a close other is a major life stressor that disrupts mental and physical health. Beta-blocker medications are indicated treatments for cardiovascular conditions that may also mitigate psychological distress in the context of stressors by reducing adrenergic activity. We sought to examine observational links between beta-blocker medication use and psychological distress during bereavement. Using publicly available data from the Midlife in the United States Refresher study, we examined associations between beta-blocker use and general distress, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms (as measured by the Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire) among bereaved adults with cardiovascular conditions (n = 161) using t-tests and regression models. Beta-blocker users reported lower levels of anxiety-related general distress (b = -2.49, SE = 0.88, p = 0.005) and depression-related general distress than non-users (b = -2.39, SE = 1.14, p = 0.039) in multivariate linear regression models adjusting for demographic characteristics, mental health treatments, time since loss and comorbid health conditions. These observed links between beta-blockers and lower psychological distress in bereavement warrant further investigation in prospective and randomized studies, as beta-blockers could be a scalable intervention for mitigating distress following loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Viola
- Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Daniel Ouyang
- Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY,Department of Nephrology, SUNY Downstate Medical Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY
| | - Jiehui Xu
- Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Paul K. Maciejewski
- Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Holly G. Prigerson
- Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Heather M. Derry
- Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
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50
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George LS, Polacek LC, Lynch K, Prigerson HG, Abou-Alfa GK, Atkinson TM, Epstein AS, Breitbart W. Reconciling the prospect of disease progression with goals and expectations: Development and validation of a measurement model in advanced cancer. Psychooncology 2022; 31:902-910. [PMID: 34984756 DOI: 10.1002/pon.5878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Among patients living with advanced, life-limiting illness, reconciling the prospect of disease progression with future goals and expectations is a key psychological task, integral to treatment decision-making and emotional well-being. To date, this psychological process remains poorly understood with no available measurement tools. The present paper develops and validates a measurement model for operationalizing this psychological process. METHODS In Phase 1, concept elicitation interviews were conducted among Stage IV lung, gastrointestinal, and gynecologic cancer patients, their caregivers, and experts (N = 19), to further develop our conceptual framework centered on assimilation and accommodation coping. In Phase 2, draft self-report items of common assimilation and accommodation coping strategies were evaluated via patient cognitive interviews (N = 11). RESULTS Phase 1 interviews identified several coping strategies, some of which aimed to reduce the perceived likelihood of disease progression (assimilation), and others aimed to integrate the likelihood into new goals and expectations (accommodation). The coping strategies appeared to manifest in patients' daily lives, and integrally related to their emotional well-being and how they think about treatments. Phase 2 cognitive interviews identified items to remove and modify, resulting in a 31-item measure assessing 10 assimilation and accommodation coping strategies. CONCLUSIONS The present work derived a content-valid measure of the psychological process by which patients reconcile the prospect of disease progression with their goals and expectations. Further psychometric validation and use of the scale could identify intervention targets for enhancing patient decision-making and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Login S George
- Institute for Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Laura C Polacek
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Psychology, Fordham University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kathleen Lynch
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Holly G Prigerson
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ghassan K Abou-Alfa
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Thomas M Atkinson
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Andrew S Epstein
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - William Breitbart
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
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