The Good Wishes Project: An End-of-Life Intervention for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Tedesco A
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8241317 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:BackgroundInitially developed in the intensive care unit (ICU) at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton (SJHH) the 3 Wishes Project (3WP) provides personalized, compassionate care to dying patients and their families. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate 3WP expansion strategies for patients cared for on General Internal Medicine (GIM) wards in our hospital.MethodsFrom January 2020-November 2021, we developed a phased, multicomponent approach for program expansion. We enrolled patients on the GIM wards who had a high probability of dying in hospital, then elicited, implemented, and documented wishes for them or their families. Data were analyzed descriptively.ResultsFrom March 2020 to November 2020, we implemented staff education and engagement activities, created an Expansion Coordinator position, held strategic consultations, and offered enabling resources. From March 2020 to November 2021, we enrolled 62 patients and elicited 281 wishes (median [1st, 3rd quartiles] 4 [4, 5] wishes/patient). The most common wish categories were personalizing the environment (67 wishes, 24%), rituals and spiritual support (42 wishes, 15%), and facilitating connections (39 wishes, 14%). The median [1st, 3rd] cost/patient was $0 [0, $10.00] (range $0 to $86); 91% of wishes incurred no cost to the program.ConclusionsThe formal expansion of the 3WP on GIM wards has been successful despite COVID-19 pandemic disruptions. While there is still work ahead, these data suggest that implementing the 3WP on the GIM wards is feasible and affordable. Increased engagement of the clinical team during the pandemic suggests that it is positively received.
| S-EPMC9925934 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The objectives of this study were to describe residents' experiences with end-of-life (EOL) education during a rotation in the intensive care unit (ICU), and to understand the possible influence of the 3 Wishes Project.We enrolled dying patients, their families and 1-3 of their clinicians in the 3 Wishes Project, eliciting and honouring a set of 3 wishes to bring peace to the final days of a critically ill patient's life, and ease the grieving process for families. We conducted semistructured interviews with 33 residents who had cared for 50 dying patients to understand their experiences with the project. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, then analysed using a qualitative descriptive approach.21-bed medical surgical ICU in a tertiary care, university-affiliated hospital.33 residents participated from internal medicine (24, 72.7%), anaesthesia (8, 24.2%) and laboratory medicine (1, 3.0%) programmes in postgraduate years 1-3. 3 categories and associated themes emerged. (1) EOL care is a challenging component of training in that (a) death in the ICU can invoke helplessness, (b) EOL education is inadequate, (c) personal connections with dying patients is difficult in the ICU and (d) EOL skills are valued by residents. (2) The project reframes the dying process for residents by (a) humanising this aspect of practice, (b) identifying that family engagement is central to the dying process, (c) increasing emotional responsiveness and (d) showing that care shifts, not stops. (3) The project offers experiential education by (a) intentional role modelling, (b) facilitating EOL dialogue, (c) empowering residents to care in a tangible way and (d) encouraging reflection.For residents, the 3 Wishes Project integrated many forms of active learning for residents. Practice-based rather than classroom-based programmes may engage trainees to develop EOL skills transferable to other settings.
| S-EPMC4823392 | biostudies-other
Project description:BackgroundThe 3 Wishes Project (3WP) is an end-of-life program that honors the dignity of dying patients by fostering meaningful connections among patients, families, and clinicians. Since 2013, it has become embedded in the culture of end-of-life care in over 20 ICUs across North America. The purpose of the current study is to describe the variation in implementation of 3WP across sites, in order to ascertain which factors facilitated multicenter implementation, which factors remain consistent across sites, and which may be adapted to suit local needs.MethodsUsing the methodology of qualitative description, we collected interview and focus group data from 85 clinicians who participated in the successful initiation and sustainment of 3WP in 9 ICUs. We describe the transition between different models of 3WP implementation, from core clinical program to the incorporation of various research activities. We describe various sources of financial and in-kind resources accessed to support the program.ResultsBeyond sharing a common goal of improving end-of-life care, sites varied considerably in organizational context, staff complement, and resources. Despite these differences, the program was successfully implemented at each site and eventually evolved from a clinical or research intervention to a general approach to end-of-life care. Key to this success was flexibility and the empowerment of frontline staff to tailor the program to address identified needs with available resources. This adaptability was fueled by cross-pollination of ideas within and outside of each site, resulting in the establishment of a network of like-minded individuals with a shared purpose.ConclusionsThe successful initiation and sustainment of 3WP relied on local adaptations to suit organizational needs and resources. The semi-structured nature of the program facilitated these adaptations, encouraged creative and important ways of relating within local clinical cultures, and reinforced the main tenet of the program: meaningful human connection at the end of life. Local adaptations also encouraged a team approach to care, supplementing the typical patient-clinician dyad by explicitly empowering the healthcare team to collectively recognize and respond to the needs of dying patients, families, and each other.Trial registrationNCT04147169 , retrospectively registered with clinicaltrials.gov on October 31, 2019.
| S-EPMC7325646 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectivePeople experiencing homelessness often encounter progressive illness(es) earlier and are at increased risk of mortality compared to the housed population. There are limited resources available to serve this population at the end-of-life (EOL). The purpose of this study was to gain insight into preferences for the EOL and end-of-life care for people experiencing homelessness. Utilizing an interpretive phenomenology methodology and the theoretical lens of critical social theory, we present results from 3 participants interviewed from August to October 2020, with current or previous experience of homelessness and a diagnosis of advanced disease/progressive life-threatening illness.ResultsA key finding focused on the existential struggle experienced by the participants in that they did not care if they lived or died. The participants described dying alone as a bad or undignified way to die and instead valued an EOL experience that was without suffering, surrounded by those who love them, and in a familiar place, wherever that may be. This study serves to highlight the need for improvements to meet the health care and social justice needs of people experiencing homelessness by ensuring equitable, humanistic health and end-of-life care, particularly during the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
| S-EPMC9012062 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The homeless population are among the most vulnerable groups to experience suicide ideation and behavior. Several studies have shown that people who are homeless experience more significant suicidal ideation and behavior than the general population. However, there is limited information about what suicide interventions exist, to what extent they are grounded in robust research, and which intervention components effectively reduce suicidal ideation and behavior in the homeless community. This research aimed to characterise the current evidence base in the area of suicide prevention for homeless individuals. A scoping review guided by Arksey and O'Malley's five-stage framework was conducted and a narrative synthesis was performed. Pubmed, EMBASE, PsychInfo, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Open Grey, and Bielefeld Academic Search Engine were searched up to 8 May 2020. A total of 3209 records were identified through database and grey literature searching. Three studies are included in this review. Key outcomes identify suicide intervention prevention programmes; similarities and differences across interventions, and examples of staff training. A quality review of the studies was completed. A stark gap in the evidence of suicide specific prevention interventions targeted at homeless populations.
| S-EPMC8297158 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundMany people do not discuss end of life preferences with those closest to them, although this can be beneficial to the individual and wider population. This study evaluated a community intervention to promote end of life preparation and discussion among people who are currently well.MethodsA series of presentations and workshops (the intervention) were delivered to community groups and people working within health and social care. Participants were invited to complete a three-stage follow-up survey at Baseline, Post intervention and at three months' follow-up.ResultsBaseline questionnaires were completed by 498 individuals. Overall, 51% reported talking with close family or friends about their end of life care and 58% reported talking about what they would like to happen after their death. There was a significant positive relationship between increasing age group and having talked about end of life wishes. The majority of participants were already comfortable in talking about end of life (overall mean score 8.28/10). Post intervention, 73% stated that they planned to take action including 61% who planned a specific conversation and 55% who planned another action. At follow-up 64% reported that they had taken some action due to the intervention, including 43% who had talked about their own end of life preferences and 39% who had taken some other action.ConclusionsWell-designed community-based interventions can be successful in prompting people to consider and discuss their end of life preferences.
| S-EPMC6407206 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ImportanceThere is widespread consensus on the challenges to meeting the end-of-life wishes of decedents in the US. However, there is broad but not always recognized success in meeting wishes among decedents 65 years and older.ObjectiveTo assess how well end-of-life wishes of decedents 65 years and older are met in the last year of life.Design, setting, and participantsThis quality improvement study involved 3 planned samples of family members or informants identified as the primary contact in the medical record of Kaiser Permanente Southern California decedents. The first sample was 715 decedents, 65 years or older, who died between April 1 and May 31, 2017. The second was a high-cost sample of 332 decedents, 65 years or older, who died between June 1, 2016, and May 31, 2017, and whose costs in the last year of life were in the top 10% of the costs of all decedents. The third was a lower-cost sample with 655 decedents whose costs were not in the top 10%. The survey was fielded between December 19, 2017, and February 8, 2018.Main outcomes and measuresMeeting end-of-life wishes, discussions with next of kin and physicians, types of discordant care, and perceptions of amount of care received.ResultsSurveys were completed by 715 of the 2281 next of kin in the all-decedent sample (mean [SD] decedent age, 80.9 [8.9] years; 361 [50.5%] male) for a 31% response rate; in 332 of the 1339 next of kin in the high-cost sample (mean [SD] decedent age, 75.5 [7.1] years; 194 [48.4%] male) for a 25% response rate; and in 659 of 2058 in the lower-cost sample (mean [SD] decedent age, 81.6 [8.8] years) for a 32% response rate. Respondents noted that high percentages of decedents received treatment that was concordant with their desires: 601 (88.9%) had their wishes met, 39 (5.9%) received a treatment they did not want, and 554 (84.1%) filled out an advance directive. A total of 509 respondents (82.5%) believed the amount of care was the right amount. Those with the highest costs had their wishes met at lower rates than those with lower costs (250 [80.1%] vs 553 [89.6%]).Conclusions and relevanceIn this Kaiser Permanente Southern California cohort, a large proportion of decedents 65 years and older had end-of-life discussions and documentation, had their wishes met, and received the amount of care they thought appropriate.
| S-EPMC8025115 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is disproportionately prevalent among individuals experiencing homelessness. While rehabilitation is critical to facilitating recovery after TBI, there is currently limited information on the extent to which rehabilitation is provided to individuals experiencing homelessness and TBI. If unaddressed, this knowledge gap can perpetuate TBI-related challenges and contribute to a repetitive cycle of TBI and homelessness. This scoping review explored the extent to which rehabilitation, including the types of rehabilitation interventions, are available to, or used by, individuals experiencing homelessness and TBI. A systematic search of electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL Register of Clinical Trials, CINAHL, APA PsycINFO, Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts, and Proquest Nursing and Allied Health) was conducted to identify peer-reviewed articles that met predetermined eligibility criteria. Gray literature and reference lists of eligible articles were also searched for relevant content. A descriptive numerical summary of extracted data was conducted, and qualitative analytic techniques were applied to analyze the data. Fifteen peer-reviewed articles and three gray literature reports were included, describing interventions for individuals experiencing homelessness and TBI (N = 4), rehabilitation for individuals experiencing homelessness without specific inclusion criteria for TBI (N = 11), and rehabilitation interventions that included individuals experiencing homelessness and TBI, without specific inclusion criteria for experiences of homelessness or TBI (N = 3). This review demonstrates that rehabilitation programs or interventions for this population already exist, and those that are focused on individuals experiencing homelessness are already serving individuals with TBI. Findings highlight opportunities to adapt existing rehabilitation for individuals who experience homelessness and TBI through screening for TBI, conducting cognitive and functional assessments, and tailoring interventions with multidisciplinary teams. Education and training for healthcare professionals working with individuals experiencing homelessness and TBI should be explored, including structured education and training, collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, and co-development of educational materials with service users. Research that considers the rehabilitation needs of diverse individuals experiencing homelessness and TBI is urgently needed.
| S-EPMC9692012 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundPeople experiencing homelessness have high levels of dental decay, oral cancer and poor oral health-related quality of life. The Scottish Government sought to address these issues by developing a national oral health improvement programme for people experiencing homelessness, named Smile4life. The aim was to investigate implementation behaviours and the role of work-related beliefs upon the delivery of the Smile4life programme across NHS Board areas in Scotland.MethodsNon-probability convenience sampling, supplemented by snowball sampling, was used to recruit practitioners working across the homelessness sector. The overall evaluation of the implementation of the Smile4life programme was theoretically informed by the Behaviour Change Wheel. The questionnaire was informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework and was divided into three sections, demography and Smile4life Awareness; Smile4life Activities; and Smile4life work-related beliefs. A psychometric assessment was used to develop Smile4life Awareness, Smile4life Activities, Ability to Deliver and Positive Beliefs and Outcomes subscales. The data were subjected to K-R20, exploratory factor analysis, Cronbach's alpha, t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation analysis and a multivariate path analysis.ResultsOne hundred participants completed the questionnaire. The majority were female (79%) and worked in NHS Boards across Scotland (55%). Implementation behaviour, constructed from the Delivering Smile4life scale and the summated Smile4life activities variable, was predicted using a linear model a latent variable. The independent variables were two raw variables Positive Beliefs and Outcomes, and Ability to deliver Smile4life. Results showed relatively good model fit (chi-square (1.96; p > 0.15), SRMR (< 0.08) and R2 (0.62) values). Positive and highly significant loadings were found describing the Implementation Behaviour latent variable (0.87 and 0.56). The two independent variables were associated (p < 0.05) with Implementation Behaviour.ConclusionsWork-related factors, such as positive beliefs and outcomes and ability to deliver are required for implementation behaviours associated with the delivery of the Smile4life programme. Future work should include training centred on the specific needs of those involved in the homelessness sector and the development of accessible training resources, thereby promoting implementation behaviours to assist the progression and sustainability of the Smile4life programme.
| S-EPMC8340521 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Purpose: Our aim was to reveal client and provider perspectives on the impact of enhancing access to physical therapy services in a primary health care community-based setting. Method: Clients of The Lighthouse Supported Living facility in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, who accessed physical therapy services over a 4-month pilot period and health care providers (physical therapists and a nurse practitioner) provided qualitative data (through interviews and an online discussion board). Client demographics, health condition, perceived function, quality of life, and satisfaction were obtained through chart review and questionnaires. Results: Forty-seven clients ranging in age from 21 to 72 years (mean 47 y) participated in the pilot project. Most presented with a musculoskeletal issue (85.1%). Analysis of the qualitative data gathered from client and provider participants revealed the following four overarching themes: (1) complex health challenges, unmet needs; (2) overcoming access barriers and impact of physical therapy services; (3) respecting and responding to context and environment; and (4) moving forward to enhance access to physical therapy care. Conclusions: Individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty face diverse barriers to accessing physical therapy services, including transportation, cost, wait times, and geographical location. Clients who accessed physical therapy services at The Lighthouse perceived a positive impact on their overall health, function, and wellness.
| S-EPMC6484964 | biostudies-literature