Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Srivalli Vilapakkam Nagarajan, Christopher J. Poulos, Josephine M. Clayton, Mustafa Atee, Thomas Morris, Melanie R. Lovell
Summary: This study aims to understand the experiences of healthcare professionals, careworkers, care managers, planners/implementers who participated in the implementation of a project aimed at improving palliative care in residential aged care homes. The study found that the project increased participants' awareness of palliative care and provided them with the skills and confidence to discuss end-of-life issues. Participants reported benefits for residents, such as appropriate medication use and improved pain management. Key facilitators for implementation were identified as champions, the role of the steering committee, clinical meetings, and mentoring. Barriers included high staff turnover, the COVID-19 pandemic, time constraints, lack of executive support, and system-related issues. The study emphasizes the importance of strong leadership and organizational culture in improving end-of-life care.
HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Anna Steel, Helen Hopwood, Elizabeth Goodwin, Elizabeth L. Sampson
Summary: This study describes a multi-disciplinary residential home quality improvement project which effectively reduced hospital admission rates and polypharmacy among residents through collaborative interventions of experts from different disciplines, leading to increased cardio-pulmonary resuscitation decisions and advance care planning discussions.
BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Kim de Nooijer, Lara Pivodic, Nele Van den Noortgate, Peter Pype, Lieve Van den Block
Summary: This pilot study will assess the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of the Frailty+ intervention for frail older people discharged from hospital in Flanders, Belgium. The study will evaluate recruitment, randomization, acceptability of the intervention, retention in the program, and data completion.
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Carlos Laranjeira, Maria Anjos Dixe, Ricardo Martinho, Rui Rijo, Ana Querido
Summary: This study aims to co-design, develop, and test the feasibility of the Help2Care-PAL mHealth app for informal caregivers of palliative patients. The app will be used for education, symptom management, communication, and decision-making to enhance the quality of life for patients and caregivers.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Florian B. Mayr, Judith L. Plowman, Sandra Blakowski, Kimberly Sell-Shemansky, Joleene M. Young, Sachin Yende
Summary: This study evaluated the operational feasibility of a 90-day home-based palliative care intervention in multi-morbid elderly Veteran survivors of critical illness. The results showed that the intervention is feasible and may result in improved physical functioning and quality of life, as well as reducing unplanned emergency department visits.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CRITICAL CARE
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Heather Morris, Kostas Hatzikiriakidis, Jenny Dwyer, Catrin Lewis, Nick Halfpenny, Robyn Miller, Helen Skouteris
Summary: The objective of this study was to determine if early EMDR treatment reduced trauma symptom severity in residential out-of-home care (OoHC) staff. The results showed that both face-to-face and online delivery modes of EMDR were effective, with significant reductions in PCL-5 scores. A larger prospective research study is needed to further investigate the efficacy of EMDR for OoHC staff.
PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA-THEORY RESEARCH PRACTICE AND POLICY
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Xinying Wang, Xin-Lin Huang, Wei-Jia Wang, Li Liao
Summary: The objective of this study is to integrate quantitative and qualitative evidence to understand the effectiveness and experience of advance care planning (ACP) for frail elderly. The results showed that ACP intervention effectively increases the readiness, knowledge, and process of ACP behaviors among frail elderly. Conclusion: ACP is an effective and feasible strategy to facilitate frail elderly to express their healthcare wishes timely and improve their outcomes.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Hayato Kizaki, Daisuke Yamamoto, Hiroki Satoh, Kotaro Masuko, Hideyuki Maki, Yukari Konishi, Satoko Hori, Yasufumi Sawada
Summary: This study conducted interviews with staff involved in medication incidents in long-term care facilities in order to identify the causes of incidents related to medication assistance. Four categories of contributory factors were identified: individual resident factors, individual staff factors, team factors, and work environment factors. These findings are valuable for risk management in residential care facilities.
Review
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Pauli J. Lamppu, Kaisu H. Pitkala
Summary: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials examining the effects of palliative care education or staff training on nursing home residents found limited impact on residents' quality of life, quality of dying, or burdensome hospitalizations. Further studies are needed to explore the reasons behind these findings.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Amandine Bertrand, Veronique Veyet, Florence Goy, Marie Cervos, Matthias Schell
Summary: The study found that home nurses play a crucial role in pediatric palliative care, with most of them having reservations about accepting these duties but also showing significant personal involvement in the cases. Key influencing factors include the availability and proactiveness of the HCU team, as well as communication and planning with the families.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jui-Kun Chiang, Yee-Hsin Kao
Summary: This study explores factors associated with death at home or in nursing facilities. The results suggest that elderly home-based patients receiving palliative service, experiencing nausea or vomiting, having fewer emergency department visits, and less intravenous third-generation cephalosporin use in the last month of life are more likely to die at home or in nursing facilities. Patients with dementia have a lower probability of dying at home or in nursing facilities.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Joanie Sims-Gould, Jacobi Elliott, Catherine E. Tong, Anik Giguere, Sara Mallinson, Paul Stolee
Summary: The intervention aims to improve primary care for older persons living with frailty in Canada, with a focus on screening, online referral expedite and patient engagement. The project is guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and will involve qualitative data collection across multiple sites and provinces. The outcomes of this research may benefit other research teams adapting the CFIR framework and clinicians implementing care models for frail older patients in primary care.
Article
Oncology
Hideyuki Hirayama, Eriko Satomi, Yoshiyuki Kizawa, Mayuko Miyazaki, Keita Tagami, Ryuichi Sekine, Kozue Suzuki, Nobuyuki Yotani, Koji Sugano, Hirofumi Abo, Akihiro Sakashita, Kazuki Sato, Sari Nakagawa, Yoko Nakazawa, Jun Hamano, Mitsunori Miyashita
Summary: This multicenter observational study conducted in Japan aimed to explore the effectiveness of hospital-based palliative care teams (HPCTs) using patient-reported outcomes (PROs). The results showed that HPCTs effectively improved severe symptoms in palliative care patients, highlighting the difficulty of symptom relief and the need for improved care.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Debra Lotstein, Margaret J. Klein, Lisa C. Lindley, Joanne Wolfe
Summary: This study investigated the referral practices of a hospital-based pediatric palliative care team to community-based programs. It found that only a minority of patients received referrals, and those in the ICU and with neurologic conditions may be at higher risk of missing appropriate referrals.
JOURNAL OF PAIN AND SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Family Studies
Charles Izzo, Elliott G. Smith, Deborah E. Sellers, Martha J. Holden, Michael A. Nunno
Summary: We evaluated the impact of the CARE program model in 13 residential child care agencies in one Southeastern state. The implementation of CARE led to significant improvements in staff outcomes, including knowledge, beliefs, and practices related to a relational approach to care. The effects of CARE were evident across all staff demographic and agency subgroups.
CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES REVIEW
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Nadia El Mrayyan, Christina Bokberg, Jonas Eberhard, Gerd Ahlstrom
Summary: The study found that older people with ID and affective and anxiety diagnoses are more likely to have inpatient and unplanned visits for specialist healthcare than the general population. Within the ID group, more inpatient and unplanned visits were made by those with moderate and severe levels of ID, behavioural impairment, and living in special housing.
AGING & MENTAL HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Albert Westergren, Gerd Ahlstrom, Magnus Persson, Lina Behm
Summary: This study evaluated the participation of next of kin in care using three different analytical approaches and found that while the intervention group showed significant individual-level improvements in overall participation, communication and trust, there were also some next of kin who reported decreased participation in collaboration in care.
Article
Health Policy & Services
Nadia El Mrayyan, Christina Bokberg, Jonas Eberhard, Gerd Ahlstrom
Summary: The study found that affective and anxiety diagnoses are common among older people with intellectual disability. Individuals with multimorbidity who frequently utilized specialist healthcare were less likely to utilize residential arrangements, while those with polypharmacy were more likely to utilize residential arrangements. Individuals with moderate to severe/profound levels of intellectual disability were more likely to utilize residential arrangements and engage in daily activities.
COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Education, Special
Gerd Ahlstrom, Eva Flygare Wallen, Magnus Tideman, Marianne Holmgren
Summary: This study aimed to describe the social care provided for people with intellectual disabilities aged 55 years or above, and investigate the relationship between such care and frailty factors. The most common forms of social care were Residential care, Daily activities, and Contact person, with Home help and Security alarm increasing with age. Frailty factors significantly associated with increased social care included age, polypharmacy, and severe levels of intellectual disabilities.
JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gerd Ahlstrom, Helena Rosen, Eva I. Persson
Summary: This study investigated the experiences of quality of life of next of kin of frail older persons in nursing homes after an educational intervention on palliative care. The research confirmed three themes of quality of life, and explored the sub-theme of unspoken palliative care.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Gerd Ahlstrom, Hongli Huang, Yu Luo, Christina Bokberg, Birgit H. Rasmussen, Eva Persson, Lian Xue, Le Cai, Pingfen Tang, Magnus Persson, Jingjing Huang
Summary: Although there is an increasing need for palliative care for older people, especially with the rising number of individuals requiring such care, there is limited research comparing palliative care between different healthcare systems and cultures. This review aimed to identify the gaps in knowledge regarding palliative care research for older individuals (>60 years) in mainland China and Sweden. The findings indicate that more focus is needed on addressing the specific needs of older individuals in palliative care, considering aspects such as research ethics, ethnicity, and culture.
BMC PALLIATIVE CARE
(2022)
Article
Nursing
Helene Avik Persson, Gerd Ahlstrom, Kristofer Arestedt, Lina Behm, Eva Drevenhorn, Anna Sandgren
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate professionals' experience of palliative care delivery before and after an educational intervention, and explore the effectiveness of an interprofessional education model. The results revealed positive effects of the intervention, but also highlighted areas for improvement, such as enhancing supervision of professionals during palliative care.
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF CARING SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Therese Hansson, Maria E. Andersson, Gerd Ahlstrom, Stefan R. Hansson
Summary: This study reveals the experiences and needs of women with preeclampsia, highlighting the importance of improving clinical management by providing detailed, consistent, and repeated information, raising awareness, and offering individualized support.
BMC PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Helene Avik Persson, Gerd Ahlstrom, Anna Ekwall
Summary: This study investigates the professionals' experiences of readiness for change to knowledge-based palliative care in nursing homes. The results show that increased knowledge facilitates development and enhances team spirit, while there are still remaining organizational barriers.
BMC PALLIATIVE CARE
(2022)
Article
Social Work
Christel Hellberg, Sam Larsson, Goran Bertilsson, Helena Domeij, Susanna Larsson Tholen, Maja Karrman-Fredriksson, Gerd Ahlstrom, Lena Dahlberg, Patrik Karlsson, Jenny Nybom, Mikaela Starke, Ann-Marie Ohrvall, Gunilla Fahlstrom
Summary: This article provides an overview of four evidence maps based on systematic reviews of assessment and interventions in social work practice. It summarizes key findings by analyzing and discussing the common and specific elements in the evidence maps. The overview is important for social services research and evidence-based social work.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL WORK
(2023)
Article
Orthopedics
Gabriella Pozarek, Bjoern Stroemqvist, Eva Ekvall Hansson, Gerd Ahlstroem
Summary: This study investigated the feasibility and effects of Zhineng Qigong on patients with chronic low back pain. The results showed that Zhineng Qigong training significantly improved patients' pain, function, and quality of life. Despite a low recruitment rate, further research is suggested to provide more reliable evidence.
BMC MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Magnus Sandberg, Anna Axmon, Gerd Ahlstroem, Jimmie Kristensson
Summary: This retrospective study aimed to compare somatic healthcare usage between older people with intellectual disabilities (ID) and the general population, and to identify predictors for healthcare usage among older people with ID. The study found that the ID cohort had a higher likelihood of unplanned inpatient and outpatient care but a lower likelihood of planned outpatient care compared to the referent cohort. Factors such as sex, age and previous healthcare usage were found to predict healthcare usage among older people with ID. The findings suggest that people with ID may face barriers in accessing planned outpatient care due to communication difficulties and an unfriendly healthcare environment, as well as a lack of knowledge among healthcare staff about their specific needs.
Article
Education, Special
Marianne Holmgren, Gerd Ahlstrom
Summary: This study investigated the experiences of ageing among people with intellectual disabilities. It found that they tend to avoid thinking about ageing and associate it with retirement, loneliness, social isolation, increased needs, worsening health, and death. Meaningful ageing for them involves continuing leisure activities and working as long as possible.
JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Gerd Ahlstrom, Eva Bjorkman, Lars-Olov Lundqvist
Summary: The inclusion of family members in acute care for older persons with complex needs leads to better coordination of care and reduced rehospitalisation. This study tested the psychometric properties of the Swedish version of the Family Collaboration Scale (FCS) and investigated family members' perception of collaboration with healthcare professionals in acute medical wards in Sweden.
