Iris Cohen Fineberg1, Michie Kawashima, Steven M Asch. 1. International Observatory on End of Life Care, School of Health and Medicine, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom. i.fineberg@lancaster.ac.uk
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Communication is an ongoing challenge for clinicians working with people facing life-threatening illnesses and end of life. Family conferences offer patient-focused, family-oriented care that brings together patients, family members, and health care providers. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to develop a research-based model for family conferences to help physicians and other health care providers conduct such conferences effectively and improve communication with patients and families. DESIGN: We prospectively studied family conferences for patients facing life-threatening illness in two inpatient medical centers. We videotape and audiotape recorded real-life conferences and postconference interviews with participants. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-four family conferences were included in the study. Participants consisted of 24 patients, 10 of whom took part in the family conferences, 49 family members, and 85 health care providers. APPROACH: A multidisciplinary team conducted a qualitative analysis of the videotaped and audiotaped materials using thematic analysis. The team used a multistage approach to independently and collectively analyze and integrate three data sources. MAIN RESULTS: The resulting theoretical model for family conferences has 4 main components. These include the underlying structural context of conference organization and the key process components of negotiation and personal stance. Emotional engagement by health care providers, emotion work, appears central to the impact of these components on the successful outcome of the conference. In addition to the theoretical model, the authors found that family conference participants place specific value on the "simultaneous presence" of conference attendees that leads to being on the "same page." CONCLUSIONS: Physicians and other health care professionals can use the model as a guide for conducting family conferences and strengthening communication with patients, families and colleagues.
BACKGROUND: Communication is an ongoing challenge for clinicians working with people facing life-threatening illnesses and end of life. Family conferences offer patient-focused, family-oriented care that brings together patients, family members, and health care providers. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to develop a research-based model for family conferences to help physicians and other health care providers conduct such conferences effectively and improve communication with patients and families. DESIGN: We prospectively studied family conferences for patients facing life-threatening illness in two inpatient medical centers. We videotape and audiotape recorded real-life conferences and postconference interviews with participants. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-four family conferences were included in the study. Participants consisted of 24 patients, 10 of whom took part in the family conferences, 49 family members, and 85 health care providers. APPROACH: A multidisciplinary team conducted a qualitative analysis of the videotaped and audiotaped materials using thematic analysis. The team used a multistage approach to independently and collectively analyze and integrate three data sources. MAIN RESULTS: The resulting theoretical model for family conferences has 4 main components. These include the underlying structural context of conference organization and the key process components of negotiation and personal stance. Emotional engagement by health care providers, emotion work, appears central to the impact of these components on the successful outcome of the conference. In addition to the theoretical model, the authors found that family conference participants place specific value on the "simultaneous presence" of conference attendees that leads to being on the "same page." CONCLUSIONS: Physicians and other health care professionals can use the model as a guide for conducting family conferences and strengthening communication with patients, families and colleagues.
Authors: Ardith Doorenbos; Taryn Lindhorst; Helene Starks; Eugene Aisenberg; J Randall Curtis; Ross Hays Journal: J Soc Work End Life Palliat Care Date: 2012
Authors: Shirley Otis-Green; Barbara Jones; Brad Zebrack; Lisa Kilburn; Terry A Altilio; Betty Ferrell Journal: J Cancer Educ Date: 2015-09 Impact factor: 2.037
Authors: Jennifer K Walter; Theodore E Schall; Aaron G DeWitt; Jennifer Faerber; Heather Griffis; Meghan Galligan; Victoria Miller; Robert M Arnold; Chris Feudtner Journal: J Pain Symptom Manage Date: 2019-04-18 Impact factor: 3.612
Authors: Adam E Singer; Tayla Ash; Claudia Ochotorena; Karl A Lorenz; Kelly Chong; Scott T Shreve; Sangeeta C Ahluwalia Journal: Am J Hosp Palliat Care Date: 2015-07-26 Impact factor: 2.500
Authors: Andre Morales; Alan Murphy; Joseph B Fanning; Shasha Gao; Kevan Schultz; Daniel E Hall; Amber Barnato Journal: AJOB Empir Bioeth Date: 2020-12-31