Lauren Jodi Van Scoy1, Jean M Reading2, Allison M Scott3, Cynthia Chuang4, Benjamin H Levi5, Michael J Green6. 1. Medicine and Humanities, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA. Electronic address: lvanscoy@hmc.psu.edu. 2. Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA. 3. Communication, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA. 4. Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA. 5. Humanities and Pediatrics, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA. 6. Medicine and Humanities, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA.
Abstract
CONTEXT: Substantive discussions between loved ones are necessary for effective advance care planning. Although multiple tools are currently in use for promoting conversations, the content and clinical relevance of the conversations they stimulate is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To describe the content and clinical relevance of conversations that occur during a nonfacilitated end-of-life conversation game. METHODS: Using convenience sampling, we scheduled adult volunteers to participate in an end-of-life conversation game (2-6 individuals per game; n = 68). Participants discussed 20 questions about death, dying, or end-of-life issues. Games lasted up to two hours and were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using a conventional qualitative content analysis approach to identify emerging themes. RESULTS: Participants (n = 68) were primarily Caucasian (94%), females (68%), with mean age of 51.3 years (SD 0.7). Seventeen games were analyzed. Four primary themes emerged during game conversations: 1) the importance of people, relationships, and the roles played during end-of-life decision making, 2) values, beliefs, and preferences related to end-of-life care and the dying period, 3) considerations about preparing for the aftermath of one's death, and 4) the relevance of stories or experiences for informing one's own end-of-life preferences. CONCLUSIONS: Topics discussed during a nonfacilitated end-of-life conversation game are substantive and address important issues for advance care planning.
CONTEXT: Substantive discussions between loved ones are necessary for effective advance care planning. Although multiple tools are currently in use for promoting conversations, the content and clinical relevance of the conversations they stimulate is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To describe the content and clinical relevance of conversations that occur during a nonfacilitated end-of-life conversation game. METHODS: Using convenience sampling, we scheduled adult volunteers to participate in an end-of-life conversation game (2-6 individuals per game; n = 68). Participants discussed 20 questions about death, dying, or end-of-life issues. Games lasted up to two hours and were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using a conventional qualitative content analysis approach to identify emerging themes. RESULTS:Participants (n = 68) were primarily Caucasian (94%), females (68%), with mean age of 51.3 years (SD 0.7). Seventeen games were analyzed. Four primary themes emerged during game conversations: 1) the importance of people, relationships, and the roles played during end-of-life decision making, 2) values, beliefs, and preferences related to end-of-life care and the dying period, 3) considerations about preparing for the aftermath of one's death, and 4) the relevance of stories or experiences for informing one's own end-of-life preferences. CONCLUSIONS: Topics discussed during a nonfacilitated end-of-life conversation game are substantive and address important issues for advance care planning.
Authors: Lauren Jodi Van Scoy; Michael J Green; Pamela D Witt; Cindy Bramble; Christopher Richardson; Irene Putzig; Olubukola Toyobo; Emily Wasserman; Vernon M Chinchilli; Amy Tucci; Benjamin H Levi Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2020-09-18 Impact factor: 5.128
Authors: Lauren Jodi Van Scoy; Benjamin H Levi; Pamela Witt; Cindy Bramble; Christopher Richardson; Irene Putzig; A Rose Levi; Emily Wasserman; Vernon Chinchilli; Amy Tucci; Michael J Green Journal: JAMA Netw Open Date: 2020-05-01
Authors: Lauren J Van Scoy; Benjamin H Levi; Cindy Bramble; William Calo; Vernon M Chinchilli; Lindsey Currin; Denise Grant; Christopher Hollenbeak; Maria Katsaros; Sara Marlin; Allison M Scott; Amy Tucci; Erika VanDyke; Emily Wasserman; Pamela Witt; Michael J Green Journal: Trials Date: 2022-09-30 Impact factor: 2.728