L J Van Scoy1, A M Scott2, J M Reading3, C H Chuang4, V M Chinchilli5, B H Levi6, M J Green7. 1. Department of Medicine and Humanities, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, United States. Electronic address: lvanscoy@hmc.psu.edu. 2. Department of Communication, University of Kentucky, United States. 3. Department of Medicine, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, United States. 4. Department of Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, United States. 5. Department of Public Health Sciences and Statistics, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, United States. 6. Department of Humanities and Pediatrics, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, United States. 7. Department of Medicine and Humanities, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, United States.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To describe how multiple goals theory can be used as a reliable and valid measure (i.e., coding scheme) of the quality of conversations about end-of-life issues. METHODS: We analyzed conversations from 17 conversations in which 68 participants (mean age=51years) played a game that prompted discussion in response to open-ended questions about end-of-life issues. Conversations (mean duration=91min) were audio-recorded and transcribed. Communication quality was assessed by three coders who assigned numeric scores rating how well individuals accomplished task, relational, and identity goals in the conversation. RESULTS: The coding measure, which results in a quantifiable outcome, yielded strong reliability (intra-class correlation range=0.73-0.89 and Cronbach's alpha range=0.69-0.89 for each of the coded domains) and validity (using multilevel nonlinear modeling, we detected significant variability in scores between games for each of the coded domains, all p-values <0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Our coding scheme provides a theory-based measure of end-of-life conversation quality that is superior to other methods of measuring communication quality. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Our description of the coding method enables researches to adapt and apply this measure to communication interventions in other clinical contexts.
OBJECTIVES: To describe how multiple goals theory can be used as a reliable and valid measure (i.e., coding scheme) of the quality of conversations about end-of-life issues. METHODS: We analyzed conversations from 17 conversations in which 68 participants (mean age=51years) played a game that prompted discussion in response to open-ended questions about end-of-life issues. Conversations (mean duration=91min) were audio-recorded and transcribed. Communication quality was assessed by three coders who assigned numeric scores rating how well individuals accomplished task, relational, and identity goals in the conversation. RESULTS: The coding measure, which results in a quantifiable outcome, yielded strong reliability (intra-class correlation range=0.73-0.89 and Cronbach's alpha range=0.69-0.89 for each of the coded domains) and validity (using multilevel nonlinear modeling, we detected significant variability in scores between games for each of the coded domains, all p-values <0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Our coding scheme provides a theory-based measure of end-of-life conversation quality that is superior to other methods of measuring communication quality. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Our description of the coding method enables researches to adapt and apply this measure to communication interventions in other clinical contexts.
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