Bannin De Witt Jansen1, Kevin Brazil2, Peter Passmore3, Hilary Buchanan4, Doreen Maxwell5, Sonja McIlfatrick6, Sharon M Morgan7, Max Watson8, Carole Parsons. 1. School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK. 2. School of Nursing and Midwifery, Belfast, UK. 3. Centre for Public Health, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Belfast, UK. 4. Patient and Public Involvement, Carer for person living with dementia, Belfast, UK. 5. Kerrsland Surgery, Belfast, UK. 6. Institute of Nursing and Health Research, Ulster University, Jordanstown, UK. 7. Marie Curie Hospice, Belfast, UK. 8. Northern Ireland Hospice, Belfast, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Observational pain tools (OPTs) are widely recommended in health care policies, clinical guidelines, and recommendations for pain assessment and management. However, it is unclear whether and how these tools are used for patients with advanced dementia approaching the end of life. AIM: To explore hospice, secondary, and primary care physicians' and nurses' use of OPTs with patients dying with advanced dementia and their perspectives on practice development and training needs. METHODS: Twenty-three physicians and 24 nurses with experience of caring for people dying with advanced dementia were recruited from primary care surgeries (n = 5), hospitals (n = 6), hospices (n = 4), and nursing homes (n = 10). Semistructured, face-to-face interviews were conducted. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematic analysis applied to identify core themes. RESULTS: Three key themes emerged: (1) use of OPTs in this vulnerable patient population, (2) barriers to the use of OPTs and lack of perceived "added value", and (3) perspectives on practice development and training in pain assessment in advanced dementia at end of life. Just over one-quarter of participants (n = 13) routinely used OPTs. Reasons for nonuse included perceived limitations of such tools, difficulties with their use and integration with existing practice, and lack of perceived added value. Most participants strongly emphasised a need for ongoing training and development which facilitated transfer of knowledge and multidisciplinary skills across professions and specialties. CONCLUSIONS: Health professionals require ongoing support in developing and integrating change to existing pain assessment protocols and approaches. These findings have important implications for health education, practice, and policy.
BACKGROUND: Observational pain tools (OPTs) are widely recommended in health care policies, clinical guidelines, and recommendations for pain assessment and management. However, it is unclear whether and how these tools are used for patients with advanced dementia approaching the end of life. AIM: To explore hospice, secondary, and primary care physicians' and nurses' use of OPTs with patients dying with advanced dementia and their perspectives on practice development and training needs. METHODS: Twenty-three physicians and 24 nurses with experience of caring for people dying with advanced dementia were recruited from primary care surgeries (n = 5), hospitals (n = 6), hospices (n = 4), and nursing homes (n = 10). Semistructured, face-to-face interviews were conducted. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematic analysis applied to identify core themes. RESULTS: Three key themes emerged: (1) use of OPTs in this vulnerable patient population, (2) barriers to the use of OPTs and lack of perceived "added value", and (3) perspectives on practice development and training in pain assessment in advanced dementia at end of life. Just over one-quarter of participants (n = 13) routinely used OPTs. Reasons for nonuse included perceived limitations of such tools, difficulties with their use and integration with existing practice, and lack of perceived added value. Most participants strongly emphasised a need for ongoing training and development which facilitated transfer of knowledge and multidisciplinary skills across professions and specialties. CONCLUSIONS: Health professionals require ongoing support in developing and integrating change to existing pain assessment protocols and approaches. These findings have important implications for health education, practice, and policy.
Authors: Daniel Puente-Fernández; Rosel Jimeno-Ucles; Emilio Mota-Romero; Concepción Roldán; Katherine Froggatt; Rafael Montoya-Juárez Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-05-16 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Jenny T van der Steen; Andrew Westzaan; Kimberley Hanemaayer; Muhamad Muhamad; Margot W M de Waal; Wilco P Achterberg Journal: Brain Sci Date: 2021-06-29