Newswise, May 17, 2016– Additional support by palliative care
specialists failed to improve anxiety and depression symptoms in caregivers of
patients with chronic critical illness, according to new research presented at
the ATS 2016 International Conference.
Patients also saw little benefit as the
additional support did not lead to reduced time on a breathing machine or in
the hospital.
“Family members indicated that they were satisfied with the
information and support provided by the ICU physicians, and this may explain
why the additional support from palliative care specialists did not improve
family or patient outcomes,” said Shannon Carson, MD, of the University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
The study enrolled 256 adult patients and their caregivers
from medical ICUS at three tertiary care centers and one community hospital. To
be eligible, patients had to require at least seven days of mechanical
ventilation. Patients were randomized to either usual care or two meetings with
a palliative care physician and nurse practitioner.
Given that palliative care specialists, who are trained to
provide emotional support and share difficult information, are routinely
consulted to provide family support and facilitate goals of care discussions
for chronically critically ill patients, the authors wanted to determine if
these specialists would help to reduce psychological stress for families.
“Findings of our study indicate that routine referral of these
patients for palliative care consultation does not improve psychological
distress for families as compared to effective communication by ICU
physicians,” said Dr. Carson.
“ICU physicians should continue to make communication and
support for family decision-makers an important part of their practice in the
ICU. They should meet with families early and provide additional support as
needed. Support for this physician effort by insurers is a good use of
resources.”
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