Abstract
Background: In palliative care, person-centered care based on patients’ values, wishes and needs is perceived as optimal care. However, challenging to perform by clinicians in daily practice.
Aim: To map the current situation, facilitators and barriers regarding the exploration and monitoring of values, wishes and needs of hospitalized patients with life-threatening conditions and loved ones perceived by clinicians.
Methods: An explorative cross-sectional survey is conducted using a convenience sample of hospital clinicians. Doctors and nurses of eight wards in two tertiary and two secondary hospitals in the Netherlands were invited to participate. The survey was developed based on literature and previous studies and tested on face validity and feasibility by clinical experts. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: Preliminary results of two wards showed that all participants (N=50) were able to discuss the patients’ values, wishes and needs. For 35%, the patients’ values, wishes and needs were not or not structurally discussed or information was obtained from other team members. Values, wishes and needs were mostly discussed on the patient’s initiative, in recognizing and responding to emotions or during decision-making about treatment. Conversations mainly focused on symptoms related to the physical (80%) and psychological (51%) dimensions. The social (33%) and spiritual (31%) dimensions were less explored. The care that loved ones provide and related wishes and needs seemed to be overlooked. Lack of time and differences in cultural background were perceived as most important barriers.
Conclusion: Development and implementation of a structured approach enhances dedicated attention for improving person-centered communication with hospitalized patients with life-threatening conditions and their loved ones to achieve a multidimensional approach and to involve loved ones in exploring their wishes and needs.
Funding: Jonker-Driessen Foundation
Aim: To map the current situation, facilitators and barriers regarding the exploration and monitoring of values, wishes and needs of hospitalized patients with life-threatening conditions and loved ones perceived by clinicians.
Methods: An explorative cross-sectional survey is conducted using a convenience sample of hospital clinicians. Doctors and nurses of eight wards in two tertiary and two secondary hospitals in the Netherlands were invited to participate. The survey was developed based on literature and previous studies and tested on face validity and feasibility by clinical experts. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: Preliminary results of two wards showed that all participants (N=50) were able to discuss the patients’ values, wishes and needs. For 35%, the patients’ values, wishes and needs were not or not structurally discussed or information was obtained from other team members. Values, wishes and needs were mostly discussed on the patient’s initiative, in recognizing and responding to emotions or during decision-making about treatment. Conversations mainly focused on symptoms related to the physical (80%) and psychological (51%) dimensions. The social (33%) and spiritual (31%) dimensions were less explored. The care that loved ones provide and related wishes and needs seemed to be overlooked. Lack of time and differences in cultural background were perceived as most important barriers.
Conclusion: Development and implementation of a structured approach enhances dedicated attention for improving person-centered communication with hospitalized patients with life-threatening conditions and their loved ones to achieve a multidimensional approach and to involve loved ones in exploring their wishes and needs.
Funding: Jonker-Driessen Foundation
| Original language | English |
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| Pages | 194 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Sept 2021 |
| Event | World Congress of the EAPC 2021 - Duration: 6 Oct 2021 → 8 Oct 2021 |
Conference
| Conference | World Congress of the EAPC 2021 |
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| Period | 6/10/21 → 8/10/21 |