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Ramanathan U, Besbris JM, Kramer NM, Yu AW, Solomon AJ, Jones CA, Mehta AK. Top Ten Tips Palliative Care Clinicians Should Know about Multiple Sclerosis. J Palliat Med 2023; 26:1555-1561. [PMID: 37074065 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2023.0179] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, immune-mediated, neurodegenerative condition of the central nervous system, with distinct challenges due to its heterogeneous presentation, prognostic uncertainty, and variable clinical course of neurological and non-neurological symptoms and disability. Although there have been significant advances in management of MS, many patients experience disability progression. Despite MS being a frequent cause of neurological disability, particularly in young persons, involvement of palliative care physicians in the care of patients with MS has been limited. This article provides ten tips for palliative clinicians for caring for patients with MS and their care partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Usha Ramanathan
- Department of Medicine and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jessica M Besbris
- Department of Internal Medicine and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Neurology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Neha M Kramer
- Department of Neurology and Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Amy W Yu
- Division of Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Andrew J Solomon
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Christopher A Jones
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ambereen K Mehta
- Department of Internal Medicine and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Beckwith H, Thind A, Brown EA. Perceived Life Expectancy Among Dialysis Recipients: A Scoping Review. Kidney Med 2023; 5:100687. [PMID: 37455792 PMCID: PMC10345159 DOI: 10.1016/j.xkme.2023.100687] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale & Objective Greater prognostic understanding is associated with higher quality care at the end of life. We undertook a scoping review to explore how long dialysis recipients expect to live. Study Design Scoping Review. Setting & Study Populations People with kidney failure over 18 years old. Search Strategy & Sources Studies were identified by searching Medline, Embase, APA PsycINFO, HMIC, and ProQuest database for terms related to "life expectancy", "self-estimated", and "end stage kidney disease". Data Extraction Search strategies reported 349 unique, potentially eligible studies, with 8 studies meeting the inclusion criteria after screening. Results Significant mismatches between dialysis recipients and their health care provider's estimations of prognosis were reported, with patients predicting significantly higher life expectancies than health care professionals and almost no agreement between patient and nephrologist's estimates of 1-year survival. Documented cognitive impairment did not affect 1-year or 5-year prognosis estimates, nor did gender, age, time on dialysis, or discussing perceived life expectancy. Dialysis recipients who thought they were on the transplant list or who self-identified as African American reported higher perceived life expectancy, whereas people who were 75 years or older, or with fair or poor self-reported health status reported a lower perceived life expectancy. Those with a lower perceived life expectancy preferred care focusing on relieving pain and discomfort, whereas people who thought they had a higher chance of survival were significantly more likely to prefer life-extending care. Limitations There is a marked paucity of research in this area, with most studies conducted in North American cohorts. Conclusions Optimistic patient prognostic expectations persist in dialysis recipients. Given the effects of perceived life expectancy on treatment choices and subsequent quality of life, it is important that transparent discussions regarding prognosis are conducted with people receiving dialysis and their families. Plain-Language Summary Understanding illness severity and prognosis allows people to make decisions and prioritize areas of their lives that are important to them. We undertook a scoping review to explore how long dialysis recipients expect to live. We found significant mismatches between the perceived life expectancy of people treated with dialysis and their health care providers. Perceived life expectancy influenced treatment choices; thus, those who thought they would die sooner prioritized care focusing on relieving pain and discomfort. Those who thought they had a higher chance of survival were more likely to prefer life-extending care (with potential effects on quality of life). It is important to have frank discussions about prognosis with people receiving dialysis, to empower individuals and help them make informed decisions about their care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Beckwith
- Renal Department, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Renal Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amarpreet Thind
- Renal Department, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Renal Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Edwina A. Brown
- Renal Department, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Renal Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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Dickerson KJ. Prognostic uncertainty in multiple sclerosis: A concept analysis. J Clin Nurs 2023; 32:633-642. [PMID: 34643008 DOI: 10.1111/jocn.16069] [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: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
AIM To report an analysis of the concept of prognostic uncertainty in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). BACKGROUND The complexity and ambiguity involved in a diagnosis of MS lead to the occurrence of prognostic uncertainty among patients. A concept analysis is presented that analyses what prognostic uncertainty means to those experiencing the transition between relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. DESIGN Concept analysis. DATA SOURCES PubMed, Ovid Medline, Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases were searched for literature published within the last 10 years using combinations of the terms prognostic and diagnostic uncertainty, and multiple sclerosis along with archival referencing. METHODS The Walker and Avant method was used to analyse the concept of prognostic uncertainty in patients with MS. RESULTS The defining attributes identified that provide additional context to prognostic uncertainty are illness uncertainty, intolerance of uncertainty and progressive dwindling. Related, contrary, model and borderline cases are presented to further discuss the application of the key attributes to the concept. CONCLUSION There are limited data on prognostic uncertainty and multiple sclerosis; however, patients and physicians express uncertainty in understanding one's disease trajectory and determining when a patient with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis has entered the secondary progressive multiple sclerosis disease course leading to ineffective communication and frustration. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Genetics and genomics have the potential to provide a prognostic factor for addressing the concept of uncertainty as it relates to persons with multiple sclerosis. Moving beyond the concept analysis, a case is made for nurse involvement in genetic and genomic research to conduct trials, translate, and apply these findings to clinical practice and nursing curricula, addressing the uncertainty experienced by those afflicted with chronic illnesses, such as multiple sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Jean Dickerson
- University of Missouri - Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA.,Children's Mercy, Kansas City, MO, USA
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Siegel CL, Besbris J, Everett EA, Lavi ES, Mehta AK, Jones CA, Creutzfeldt CJ, Kramer NM. Top Ten Tips Palliative Care Clinicians Should Know About Strokes. J Palliat Med 2021; 24:1877-1883. [PMID: 34704853 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2021.0449] [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] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Stroke is a common cause of long-term disability and death, which leaves many patients with significant and unique palliative care (PC) needs. Shared decision-making for patients with stroke poses distinct challenges due to the sudden nature of stroke, the uncertainty inherent in prognostication around recovery, and the common necessity of relying on surrogates for decision-making. Patients with stroke suffer from frequently underrecognized symptoms, which PC clinicians should feel comfortable identifying and treating. This article provides 10 tips for palliative clinicians to increase their knowledge and comfort in caring for this important population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara L Siegel
- Departments of Neurology and Palliative Care, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jessica Besbris
- Departments of Neurology and Supportive Care Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Elyse A Everett
- Departments of Medicine and Neurology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Elana S Lavi
- Department of Speech Language Pathology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ambereen K Mehta
- Palliative Care Program, Department of General Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Christopher A Jones
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Claire J Creutzfeldt
- Department of Neurology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Neha M Kramer
- Departments of Neurology and Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Rawlings D, Winsall M, Yin H, Devery K, Morgan DD. Evaluation of an End-of-Life Essentials Online Education Module on Chronic Complex Illness End-of-Life Care. Healthcare (Basel) 2020; 8:E297. [PMID: 32854394 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare8030297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic complex illness/multimorbidity is a leading cause of death worldwide. Many people with chronic complex illnesses die in hospital, with the overall quality of end-of-life care requiring substantial improvement, necessitating an increase in the knowledge of the health professionals caring for them. End-of-Life-Essentials (EOLE) offers online education modules for health professionals working in acute hospitals, including one on chronic complex illness. A quantitative pre-post-evaluation analysis was undertaken on data from learners (n = 1489), who completed a questionnaire related to knowledge gained from module completion between December 2018 and November 2019. A qualitative post-evaluation analysis was also conducted using data on learner responses to a question posed between May and November 2019. Results showed a significant positive impact on learners' knowledge, skill, attitude, and confidence in providing end-of-life care to patients living with chronic complex illness. The majority (82.9%, n = 900) intended to change their practice after module completion. A total of n = 559 qualitative comments were analysed thematically, with three major themes emerging: Patient centred care and care planning, Discussion of prognosis, and Valued communication skills. This evaluation has demonstrated that healthcare professionals could benefit from this education to improve quality of care of the dying.
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Graham M. Burying our mistakes: Dealing with prognostic uncertainty after severe brain injury. Bioethics 2020; 34:612-619. [PMID: 32124448 PMCID: PMC7318633 DOI: 10.1111/bioe.12737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Prognosis after severe brain injury is highly uncertain, and decisions to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment are often made prematurely. These decisions are often driven by a desire to avoid a situation where the patient becomes 'trapped' in a condition they would find unacceptable. However, this means that a proportion of patients who would have gone on to make a good recovery, are allowed to die. I propose a shift in practice towards the routine provision of aggressive care, even in cases where the probability of survival and acceptable recovery is thought to be low. In conjunction with this shift, I argue in favour of a presumption towards withdrawing life-sustaining treatment, including artificial nutrition and hydration, when it becomes clear that a patient will not recover to a level that would be acceptable to them. I then respond to three potential objections to this proposal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mackenzie Graham
- Uehiro Centre for Practical EthicsOxford University, UK and Wellcome Centre for Ethics and Humanities, Oxford UniversityUK
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Hill DL, Walter JK, Szymczak JE, DiDomenico C, Parikh S, Feudtner C. Seven Types of Uncertainty When Clinicians Care for Pediatric Patients With Advanced Cancer. J Pain Symptom Manage 2020; 59:86-94. [PMID: 31425822 PMCID: PMC6942218 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2019.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [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: 06/06/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Clinicians deciding whether to refer a patient or family to specialty palliative care report facing high levels of uncertainty. Most research on medical uncertainty has focused on prognostic uncertainty. As part of a pediatric palliative referral intervention for oncology teams we explored how uncertainty might influence palliative care referrals. OBJECTIVES To describe distinct meanings of the term "uncertainty" that emerged during the qualitative evaluation of the development and implementation of an intervention to help oncologists overcome barriers to palliative care referrals. METHODS We conducted a phenomenological qualitative analysis of "uncertainty" as experienced and described by interdisciplinary pediatric oncology team members in discussions, group activities and semistructured interviews regarding the introduction of palliative care. RESULTS We found that clinicians caring for patients with advanced cancer confront seven broad categories of uncertainty: prognostic, informational, individual, communication, relational, collegial, and inter-institutional. Each of these kinds of uncertainty can contribute to delays in referring patients to palliative care. CONCLUSION Various types of uncertainty arise in the care of pediatric patients with advanced cancer. To manage these forms of uncertainty, providers need to develop strategies and techniques to handle professionally challenging situations, communicate bad news, manage difficult interactions with families and colleagues, and collaborate with other organizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas L Hill
- Pediatric Advanced Care Team, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jennifer K Walter
- Pediatric Advanced Care Team, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Julia E Szymczak
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Concetta DiDomenico
- Division of Pediatric Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Shefali Parikh
- Pediatric Advanced Care Team, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Chris Feudtner
- Pediatric Advanced Care Team, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
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Kirkebøen G. "The median isn't the message": How to communicate the uncertainties of survival prognoses to cancer patients in a realistic and hopeful way. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2019; 28:e13056. [PMID: 31016812 PMCID: PMC9285825 DOI: 10.1111/ecc.13056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 11/27/2017] [Revised: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated how doctors communicate the uncertainties of survival prognoses to patients recently diagnosed with life‐threatening cancer, and suggests ways to improve this communication. Two hundred thirty‐eight Norwegian oncologists and general practitioners (GPs) participated in Study 1. The study included both a scenario and a survey. The scenario asked participants to respond to a hypothetical patient who wanted to know how long (s)he could be expected to live. There were marked differences in responses within both groups, but few differences between the GPs and oncologists. There was a strong reluctance among doctors to provide patients with a prognosis. Even when they were presented with a statistically well‐founded right‐skewed survival curve, only a small minority provided hope by communicating the variation in survival time. In Study 2, 177 healthy students rated their preferences for different ways of receiving information regarding the uncertainty of a survival prognosis. Participants who received an explicitly described right‐skewed survival curve believed that they would feel more hopeful. These participants also obtained a more realistic understanding of the variation in survival than those who did not receive this information. Based on the findings of the two studies and on extant psychological research, the author suggests much‐needed guidelines for communicating survival prognoses in a realistic and optimistic way to patients recently diagnosed with life‐threatening cancer. In particular, the guidelines emphasise that the doctor explains the often strongly right‐skewed variation in survival time, and thereby providing the patient with realistic hope.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geir Kirkebøen
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Fine PG. Hospice Underutilization in the U.S.: The Misalignment of Regulatory Policy and Clinical Reality. J Pain Symptom Manage 2018; 56:808-815. [PMID: 30142388 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2018.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [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: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
After three and a half decades of experience with the Medicare hospice benefit in the U.S., despite excellent quality outcomes in symptom management, patient and family satisfaction, and reduction in health care costs, only 12%-15% of beneficiaries' days during the last year of life are spent being cared for within the highly cost-effective interdisciplinary coordinated advanced illness care model known as hospice. Although there are many reasons for this, including difficulties in acknowledging mortality among patients, their families, and physicians, a significant cause of low overall hospice utilization and intractably low median lengths of stay, reflective of late admissions, can be attributed to increasingly difficult and highly variable prognostic determinations for most of the leading causes of death among Medicare beneficiaries. Medicare is the payer for most hospice care in the U.S. and requires certification of a prognosis of six months or less for a beneficiary to access hospice support. At the time of admission to hospice, two physicians must predict that a patient is more likely to die in the next six months than survive, based on clinical status. In addition to prognostic uncertainty constituting a barrier to timely hospice referral, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and its payer contractors have developed a robust and expensive retrospective review process that penalizes hospices when patients outlive their expected prognosis. The administratively burdensome and financially punitive review practices further delay or limit access to care for eligible patients as certifying physicians and agencies, fearful of the financial and legal repercussions of reviews and audits, are hesitant to take patients under care unless they are clearly in the dying process. This article will review pertinent history and address the core problem of access to a health care benefit built on a policy that requires far greater prognostic certainty than any clinician can reasonably ascertain and fails to take into consideration the favorable impact hospice care has on terminally ill patients in improving prognosis. This clinical conundrum that limits access of seriously ill people to high-value quality care is of profound importance to the U.S. Medicare population and also one with potential relevance to all complex and regulated health systems and to other models of care whose eligibility criteria are based on prognostication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Perry G Fine
- Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Pain Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
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Figueroa Gray M, Ludman EJ, Beatty T, Rosenberg AR, Wernli KJ. Balancing Hope and Risk Among Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Patients with Late-Stage Cancer: A Qualitative Interview Study. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol 2018; 7:673-680. [PMID: 30096254 DOI: 10.1089/jayao.2018.0048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [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: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Previous studies have called for further research to explore adolescent and young adult (AYA) decision-making in the context of advanced cancer to understand the perspectives of this understudied population. We conducted a qualitative study with patients and providers to better understand the decision-making experience of AYA patients with advanced stages of cancer. METHODS Semistructured qualitative telephone interviews were conducted from April 2016 to October 2016. English-speaking AYAs and healthcare providers were recruited through the social media sites Twitter and Facebook. AYAs were eligible if they were aged 18-39 years at diagnosis and self-reported having metastatic cancer; any provider who worked with AYAs with metastatic cancer was eligible. Researchers with expertise in qualitative methods conducted inductive thematic content analysis of transcribed interviews. The analyzed data were used to formulate recommendations for clinicians. RESULTS Twelve AYA patients with self-reported stage IV cancer and five clinicians who care for AYAs with advanced stages of cancer were enrolled and shared their experience about AYA medical decision-making. Four primary themes emerged: (1) AYAs describe receiving unclear prognosis, (2) AYAs balance concepts of hope and risk, (3) AYAs choose aggressive treatment options, and (4) AYAs want support facing mortality. Recommendations for clinicians include clear communication about prognosis and side effects and concerted efforts to elicit patient values. CONCLUSION AYA patients and clinicians provided insights into the experiences and decision-making processes of AYA patients choosing to continue or discontinue treatment and into the areas for improvement in patient-centered oncology care. Taken together, these data provide important suggestions for clinicians caring for this vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Evette J Ludman
- 1 Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute , Seattle, Washington
| | - Tara Beatty
- 1 Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute , Seattle, Washington
| | - Abby R Rosenberg
- 2 Department of Pediatrics, Seattle Children's Research Institute and University of Washington School of Medicine , Seattle, Washington
| | - Karen J Wernli
- 1 Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute , Seattle, Washington
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