Claire Sokas1, Irene M Yeh2, Kathleen Coogan1, Rachelle Bernacki2, Susan Mitchell3, Angela Bader4, Keren Ladin5, Jennifer A Palmer6, James A Tulsky2, Zara Cooper7. 1. Brigham and Woman's Hospital, Center for Surgery and Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. 2. Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. 3. Hebrew SeniorLife Arthur and Hinda Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. 4. Brigham and Woman's Hospital, Center for Surgery and Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Anesthesia, Brigham and Woman's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. 5. Departments of Occupational Therapy and Community Health, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, USA. 6. VA Boston Healthcare System, Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. 7. Brigham and Woman's Hospital, Center for Surgery and Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Surgery, Brigham and Woman's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Electronic address: zcooper@bwh.harvard.edu.
Abstract
CONTEXT: Optimal surgical care for older adults with life-threatening conditions, with high risk of poor perioperative outcomes and morality in the months after surgery, should incorporate an understanding of the patient's treatment goals and preferences. However, little research has explored the patient perspective of decision making and advanced care planning during an emergency surgery episode. OBJECTIVES: We sought to better understand older patients' lived experience making decisions to undergo emergency general surgery (EGS) and perceptions of perioperative advance care planning (ACP). METHODS: Adults aged 65 and older who underwent one of seven common EGS procedures with lengths of stay more than five days at three Boston-area hospitals were included. Semistructured phone interviews were conducted three months postdischarge. Transcripts were reviewed and coded independently by surgeons and palliative care physicians to identify themes. RESULTS: About 31 patients were interviewed. Patients viewed the decision for surgery as a choice of life over death and valued prolonging life. They felt there was no choice but to proceed with surgery but reported that participation in decision making was limited because of severe symptoms, time constraints, and confused thinking. Despite recently surviving a life-threatening illness, patients had not reconsidered their wishes for the future and preferred to avoid future ACP. CONCLUSION: Older patients who survived a life-threatening illness and EGS report receiving goal-concordant care in the moment that relieved symptoms and prolonged life but had not considered future care. Interventions to facilitate postoperative ACP should be targeted to this vulnerable group of older adults.
CONTEXT: Optimal surgical care for older adults with life-threatening conditions, with high risk of poor perioperative outcomes and morality in the months after surgery, should incorporate an understanding of the patient's treatment goals and preferences. However, little research has explored the patient perspective of decision making and advanced care planning during an emergency surgery episode. OBJECTIVES: We sought to better understand older patients' lived experience making decisions to undergo emergency general surgery (EGS) and perceptions of perioperative advance care planning (ACP). METHODS: Adults aged 65 and older who underwent one of seven common EGS procedures with lengths of stay more than five days at three Boston-area hospitals were included. Semistructured phone interviews were conducted three months postdischarge. Transcripts were reviewed and coded independently by surgeons and palliative care physicians to identify themes. RESULTS: About 31 patients were interviewed. Patients viewed the decision for surgery as a choice of life over death and valued prolonging life. They felt there was no choice but to proceed with surgery but reported that participation in decision making was limited because of severe symptoms, time constraints, and confused thinking. Despite recently surviving a life-threatening illness, patients had not reconsidered their wishes for the future and preferred to avoid future ACP. CONCLUSION: Older patients who survived a life-threatening illness and EGS report receiving goal-concordant care in the moment that relieved symptoms and prolonged life but had not considered future care. Interventions to facilitate postoperative ACP should be targeted to this vulnerable group of older adults.
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