Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Feb 2022
Improving Serious Illness Communication: Testing the Serious Illness Care Program with Trainees.
Early conversations about patients' goals and values improve care, but clinicians struggle to conduct them. The systems-based Serious Illness Care Program (SICP) helps clinicians have more, better, and earlier conversations. Central to this approach is a clinician conversation guide for patient encounters. While the SICP works for practicing clinicians, it has not been tested with medical trainees. ⋯ Grounded in principles of adult learning theory, this training was rated highly by trainees and resulted in demonstrable practice change. These early learners were more flexible and willing to try this approach than practicing clinicians who tend to resist or revert to old habits. A Guide represents a new paradigm for teaching communication skills and is valued by early learners.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Feb 2022
Perspectives of Remote Volunteer Palliative Care Consultants during COVID: A Qualitative Study.
A novel remote volunteer program was implemented in response to the initial COVID-19 surge in New York City, allowing out-of-state palliative care specialists to serve patients and families in need. No study has detailed the perceptions of these consultants. ⋯ This study provides an in-depth look at the experiences of remote volunteer palliative care consultants during the initial COVID-19 surge from the unique perspectives of the consultants themselves. Participants expressed overall positive and meaningful experiences and felt that the model was appropriate given the circumstances. Additionally, participants provided recommendations that could guide future implementations of similar programs.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Feb 2022
Observational StudySuccess of a community-based delivery at recruiting individuals from underserved communities for an observational cohort study of an advance care planning intervention.
Underserved and minority populations are often reluctant to engage in advance care planning and/or research often due to distrust in healthcare and/or research institutions. ⋯ Use of the community-based delivery model successfully engaged undeserved communities in a research-based advance care planning related community outreach event. This model may be useful for overcoming underserved and minority populations' skepticism and distrust of healthcare and research that is a common barrier to progress in health agendas, especially advance care planning.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Feb 2022
Balancing Work and Hospice Caregiving-A Closer Look at Burden, Preparedness, and Mental Health.
Navigating end-of-life is stressful and many caregivers feel unprepared for caregiving tasks. Being employed may further increase caregiver burden. ⋯ To better support employed caregivers, hospice team members should be ready to address concerns about finances, daily schedule changes, and family support and screen for preparedness for caregiving. Developing strategies to help employed hospice caregivers feel more prepared may mitigate adverse mental health outcomes.