Dataset Information

Objectifying the Subjective: The Use of Heart Rate Variability as a Psychosocial Symptom Biomarker in Hospice and Palliative Care Research.

ABSTRACT: Measuring psychosocial symptoms in hospice and palliative care research is critical to understanding the patient and caregiver experience. Subjective patient-reported outcome tools have been the primary method for collecting these data in palliative care, and the growing field of biobehavioral research offers new tools that could deepen our understanding of psychosocial symptomatology. Here we describe one psychosocial biomarker, heart rate variability (HRV), and simple techniques for measurement in an adolescent and young adult cancer population that are applicable to palliative care studies. Complementing self-reported measures with objective biomarkers like HRV could facilitate a more nuanced understanding of physiologic and perceived well-being in patients with serious or life-limiting illness and inform future "precision supportive care" in hospice and palliative medicine.

SUBMITTER: Taylor MR

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8418996 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Objectifying the Subjective: The Use of Heart Rate Variability as a Psychosocial Symptom Biomarker in Hospice and Palliative Care Research.

Taylor Mallory R MR Scott Samantha R SR Steineck Angela A Rosenberg Abby R AR

Journal of pain and symptom management 20210429 3

Measuring psychosocial symptoms in hospice and palliative care research is critical to understanding the patient and caregiver experience. Subjective patient-reported outcome tools have been the primary method for collecting these data in palliative care, and the growing field of biobehavioral research offers new tools that could deepen our understanding of psychosocial symptomatology. Here we describe one psychosocial biomarker, heart rate variability (HRV), and simple techniques for measuremen ...[more]

PMID: 33933615

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Project description:BackgroundAfter over 4 years since medical assistance in dying legalization in Canada, there is still much uncertainty about how this ruling has affected Canadian society.ObjectiveTo describe the positive aspects of medical assistance in dying legalization from the perspectives of hospice palliative care providers engaging in medical assistance in dying.DesignIn this qualitative descriptive study, we conducted an inductive thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with hospice palliative care providers.Participants and settingMulti-disciplinary hospice palliative care providers in acute, community, residential, and hospice care in Vancouver and Toronto, Canada, who have engaged in end-of-life care planning with patients who have inquired about and/or requested medical assistance in dying.Ethical considerationsThe research proposal was approved by University of British Columbia Research Ethics Board in Vancouver and University Health Network in Toronto. Participants were informed regarding the research goals, signed a written consent, and were assigned pseudonyms.ResultsThe 48 participants included hospice palliative care physicians (n = 22), nurses (n = 15), social workers (n = 7), and allied health providers (n = 4). The average interview length was 50 min. Positive aspects of medical assistance in dying legalization were identified at (1) the individual level: (a) a new end-of-life option, (b) patients' last chance to express control over their lives, (c) patient and family comfort and relief, and (d) a unique learning experience for hospice palliative care providers; (2) the team level: (a) supportive collegial relationships, (b) broadened discussions about end-of-life and palliative care, and (c) team debriefs provide opportunities for education and support; and (3) the institutional level: (a) improved processes to facilitate the implementation logistics.ConclusionWhile being involved in the medical assistance in dying process is complex and challenging, this study sheds light on the positive aspects of medical assistance in dying legalization from the hospice palliative care provider's perspectives. Medical Assistance in Dying legalization has resulted in improved end-of-life conversations between hospice palliative care providers, patients, and their families. Improved communication leads to a better understanding of patients' end-of-life care plans and bridges some of the existing gaps between hospice palliative care and medical assistance in dying.

Dataset Information

Objectifying the Subjective: The Use of Heart Rate Variability as a Psychosocial Symptom Biomarker in Hospice and Palliative Care Research.

Publications

Objectifying the Subjective: The Use of Heart Rate Variability as a Psychosocial Symptom Biomarker in Hospice and Palliative Care Research.

Similar Datasets

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