Quality of care as an individual concept: Proposition of a three-level concept for clinical practice.

BACKGROUND Quality in health care is a complex framework with many components. The word "quality" is used in different official settings and different contexts (public health, certification, patient safety). On individual and team levels, the perception of quality is heterogenous, and the term is often used beyond the theoretical framework. Therefore, it remains a challenge to describe the perceived quality of care in the clinical setting. The aim of this paper is to present a simple concept that can be used to visually define the perceived quality of care for the individual health care professional. METHODS/CONCEPT An experience-based concept that uses different levels of "quality of care" individually to guide the supervision of health care professionals (residents) and quality goal setting in teams is presented, with the assumption that the ambition of any health care professional is to provide excellence in care. Three perceived levels of quality of care are defined, described, and visualized, namely, a) security, b) comfort, and c) perfection. The "comfort level" defines a sustainable level of care where the optimal balance between good patient care and resource use is achieved. Excellence of care is located between the comfort and the perfection level. The practical application of this proposed concept is described in three settings, namely, 1) the threshold for asking advice from the supervisor (resident physicians), 2) in supervision/coaching discussions between residents and supervisors, and 3) in the analysis of perceived quality of care and goals setting within the team. CONCLUSION A simplified, purpose-built but well-defined concept to visually depict the perception of quality of care by clinicians can be useful in clinical practice, for the supervision of residents and for team dynamics

The impact of early palliative care on the quality of care during the last days of life: what does the evidence say?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW The aim of this review is to critically appraise the existing evidence on 'early palliative care' (EPC), discuss its relationship with advance care planning, and to reflect on the impact of EPC on the quality of care provided during the last days of life. RECENT FINDINGS There are indicators that EPC may help to avoid aggressive treatment, shorten hospital stay, improve overall quality of life, and to see more frequently dying and death at the preferred place of care. SUMMARY The evidence from randomized controlled trials supports the integration of palliative care early in the disease trajectory. However, in terms of outcomes and quality indicators for care in the last days of life, evidence is still lacking. Predominantly, when it comes to the outcomes which may be more difficult to assess, such as spiritual aspects, or the social network, for which more comprehensive information is needed. These outcomes should not be neglected in palliative care studies, particularly when they can provide meaningful information about patient and family adjustment, and focus on psychosocial aspects rather than physical symptom control

The impact of early palliative care on the quality of care during the last days of life: what does the evidence say?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW The aim of this review is to critically appraise the existing evidence on 'early palliative care' (EPC), discuss its relationship with advance care planning, and to reflect on the impact of EPC on the quality of care provided during the last days of life. RECENT FINDINGS There are indicators that EPC may help to avoid aggressive treatment, shorten hospital stay, improve overall quality of life, and to see more frequently dying and death at the preferred place of care. SUMMARY The evidence from randomized controlled trials supports the integration of palliative care early in the disease trajectory. However, in terms of outcomes and quality indicators for care in the last days of life, evidence is still lacking. Predominantly, when it comes to the outcomes which may be more difficult to assess, such as spiritual aspects, or the social network, for which more comprehensive information is needed. These outcomes should not be neglected in palliative care studies, particularly when they can provide meaningful information about patient and family adjustment, and focus on psychosocial aspects rather than physical symptom control

Which Cost Components Influence the Cost of Palliative Care in the Last Hospitalization? A Retrospective Analysis of Palliative Care vs. Usual Care at a Swiss University Hospital.

CONTEXT Although the number of studies on the economic impact of palliative care (PC) is growing, the great majority report costs from North America. OBJECTIVES We aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of PC hospital cost components from the perspective of a European mixed funded health care system by identifying cost drivers of PC and quantifying their effect on hospital costs compared to usual care (UC). METHODS We performed a retrospective, observational analysis examining cost data from the last hospitalization of patients who died at a large academic hospital in Switzerland comparing patients receiving PC versus UC. RESULTS Total hospital costs were similar in PC and UC with a mean difference of CHF -2'777 [95% confidence interval (CI) -12'713 to 8'506, p=0.60]. Average costs per day decreased by CHF -3'224 [95% CI -3'811 to -2'631, p<0.001] for PC patients with significant reduction of costs for diagnostic intervention and medication. Higher cost components for PC patients were catering, room, nursing, social counselling and non-medical therapists. In sensitivity analyses, when we restricted PC exposure to 3 days from admission, total costs and average costs per day were significantly lower for PC. CONCLUSION Studies measuring the impact of PC on hospital costs should analyze various cost components beyond total costs in order to understand wanted and potentially unwanted cost-reducing effects. An international definition of a set of cost components, specific for cost-impact PC studies, may help avoid superficial and potentially dangerous cost discussions

Unmet Needs in Patients With Heart Failure: The Importance of Palliative Care in a Heart Failure Clinic.

Background There are increasing calls to establish heart failure (HF) clinics due to their effectiveness in the interdisciplinary management of people living with HF. However, although a recommendation exists for palliative care (PC) providers to be part of the interdisciplinary team, few of the established HF clinics include them in their teams. Therefore, in this qualitative study, we aimed to understand the unmet PC needs of patients with HF attending an already established HF clinic. Methods Secondary qualitative analysis of structured interviews undertaken within a larger study to validate the German version of the Needs Assessment Tool: Progressive Disease-Heart Failure (NAT: PD-HF). The NAT: PD-HF is a tool that aims to assess unmet needs in patients with HF. The interviews took place between January and March 2020 with patients from the ambulatory HF Clinic of a University Hospital in Switzerland. For this analysis, we transcribed and thematically analyzed the longest and most content-rich interviews until we reached data saturation at 31 participants. The interviews lasted 31 min on average (24-48 min). Results Participants (n = 31) had a median age of 64 years (IQR 56-77), the majority had reduced ejection fraction, were men, and were classified as having a New York Heart Association functional class II. Participants were in general satisfied with the treatment and information received at the HF clinic. However, they reported several unmet needs. We therefore identified three ambivalences as main themes: (I) "feeling well-informed but missing essential discussions", (II) "although feeling mostly satisfied with the care, remaining with unmet care needs", and (III) "fearing a referral to palliative care but acknowledging its importance". Conclusion Although patients who are receiving multidisciplinary management in ambulatory HF clinics are generally satisfied with the care received, they remain with unmet needs. These unmet needs, such as the need for advance care planning or the need for timely and tactful end-of-life discussions, can be fulfilled by PC providers. Including personnel trained in PC as part of the multidisciplinary team could help to address patients' needs, thus improving the quality of care and the quality of life of people living with HF

Applications of Machine Learning in Palliative Care: A Systematic Review

Objective: To summarize the available literature on using machine learning (ML) for palliative care practice as well as research and to assess the adherence of the published studies to the most important ML best practices. Methods: The MEDLINE database was searched for the use of ML in palliative care practice or research, and the records were screened according to PRISMA guidelines. Results: In total, 22 publications using machine learning for mortality prediction (n = 15), data annotation (n = 5), predicting morbidity under palliative therapy (n = 1), and predicting response to palliative therapy (n = 1) were included. Publications used a variety of supervised or unsupervised models, but mostly tree-based classifiers and neural networks. Two publications had code uploaded to a public repository, and one publication uploaded the dataset. Conclusions: Machine learning in palliative care is mainly used to predict mortality. Similarly to other applications of ML, external test sets and prospective validations are the exception

Applications of Machine Learning in Palliative Care: A Systematic Review.

Objective: To summarize the available literature on using machine learning (ML) for palliative care practice as well as research and to assess the adherence of the published studies to the most important ML best practices. Methods: The MEDLINE database was searched for the use of ML in palliative care practice or research, and the records were screened according to PRISMA guidelines. Results: In total, 22 publications using machine learning for mortality prediction (n = 15), data annotation (n = 5), predicting morbidity under palliative therapy (n = 1), and predicting response to palliative therapy (n = 1) were included. Publications used a variety of supervised or unsupervised models, but mostly tree-based classifiers and neural networks. Two publications had code uploaded to a public repository, and one publication uploaded the dataset. Conclusions: Machine learning in palliative care is mainly used to predict mortality. Similarly to other applications of ML, external test sets and prospective validations are the exception

Talking about dying and death: Essentials of communicating about approaching death from the perspective of major stakeholders.

OBJECTIVES Although caring for dying patients and their family caregivers (FC) is integral to patient care, training in communication about approaching death is almost inexistent in medical and nursing curricula. Consequently, many health professionals have insufficient knowledge about conducting these conversations. In order to gain a broader insight into essential aspects of this communication from different perspectives, we conducted focus groups with key stakeholders. METHODS Medical specialists, nurses, medical students, bereaved FC and patient representatives participated in five focus groups (n = 30). Following a focus group schedule, we elicited relevant aspects of communication about approaching death, associated emotions, and appropriate communication frameworks. We analyzed data thematically. RESULTS Four main themes were central to conversations about approaching death: (1) embracing care within medical expertise, (2) preparing the conversation while remaining open to the unexpected, (3) recognizing and reflecting on own emotions and reactions, and (4) establishing a meaningful connection with others. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS Communicating about approaching death with dying patients and their FC can be complex and challenging at a professional and personal level. With the recognition of the dying phase, a process is initiated for which health professionals need solid clinical knowledge about but also effective communication skills, constant self-reflection and self-care strategies. Comprehensive training and supervision while dealing with the challenges of communicating approaching death to dying patients and their FC are key, particularly for trainees, less experienced physicians and nurses. The essential components identified in this study can help health professionals to master these conversations

Outcomes of care during the last month of life: a systematic review to inform the development of a core outcome set.

BACKGROUND To date, there is a lack of standardization and consensus on which outcomes are central to assess the care provided to patients in the last month of life. Therefore, we aimed to conduct a systematic review to identify relevant outcomes to inform the development of a core outcome set for the best care for the dying person. METHODS We conducted a systematic review of outcomes reported in the scientific literature about the care for the dying person in the last month of life. We searched for peer-reviewed studies published before February 2022 in four electronic databases. To categorise the outcomes, we employed the taxonomy developed by the "Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials" collaboration. RESULTS Out of the 2,933 articles retrieved, 619 were included for analyses. The majority of studies (71%) were retrospective and with data extracted from chart reviews (71%) . We extracted 1,951 outcomes in total, from which, after deletion of repeated outcomes, we identified 256 unique ones. The most frequently assessed outcomes were those related to medication or therapeutic interventions and those to hospital/ healthcare use. Outcomes related to psychosocial wellbeing were rarely assessed. The closer to death, the less frequently the outcomes were studied. CONCLUSIONS Most outcomes were related to medical interventions or to hospital use. Only a few studies focused on other components of integrated care such as psychosocial aspects. It remains to be defined which of these outcomes are fundamental to achieve the best care for the dying