Flight Teams' Learning Needs Assessment on Ultrasound: A Mixed Methods Approach.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to understand flight clinicians' learning needs and attitudes with regard to a prehospital ultrasound curriculum. METHODS: In this convergent mixed methods study, 21 prehospital clinicians completed a questionnaire, and 20 attended a 1-hour focus group to explore attitudes regarding learning ultrasound. These participants were from a single emergency medical service agency. RESULTS: Five themes emerged from the focus group transcripts and were supported by the quantitative data: 1) theme 1, hands-on training in ultrasound is a highly preferred modality; 2) theme 2, emergency medical service providers desire learning integrated into shifts and real-life practice; 3) theme 3, prehospital providers express concerns about training and maintenance of competency; 4) theme 4, participants recognize the need for quality control during the training phase and after; and 5) theme 5, participants were enthusiastic about how ultrasound could help guide clinical decision making and potentially improve patient outcomes. CONCLUSION: Those who participated in an evidence-based assessment of prehospital ultrasound needs and barriers were experienced flight clinicians who would use prehospital ultrasound if made available. These adult learners indicated their preferred learning method would be using standardized patients, simulators, and hands-on in the field with physicians. They preferred follow-up courses and simulators to maintain competency.

Low Skepticism and Positive Attitudes About Advance Care Planning Among African Americans: a National, Mixed Methods Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: African Americans have low engagement in advance care planning (ACP). This has been attributed to healthcare distrust and skepticism about ACP. A better understanding of these attitudes is needed to address health disparities related to end-of-life care. OBJECTIVE: To explore the ACP-related values and beliefs of diverse African American communities across the USA and then the perceived value of an inexpensive end-of-life conversational game. DESIGN: Prospective, convergent, mixed methods cohort study involving fifteen underserved, African American communities across the USA. PARTICIPANTS: Of the 428 who attended events at purposively sampled sites, 90% consented to the research; 37% participated in one of 15 focus groups (n = 141). INTERVENTION: An end-of-life conversation game, played in groups of 4-6. MAIN MEASURES: The validated, 7-item ACP values and beliefs questionnaire (scaled 7 = least skeptical, 49 = most skeptical) was administered pre-game. Post-game focus groups explored perceptions about ACP and the intervention. KEY RESULTS: Participants had positive attitudes (low skepticism) about ACP with a median score of 12.00 (7.00, 20.00). Values and beliefs did not significantly differ by geographical region; however, rural areas were observed to be slightly more skeptical than urban areas (median score 14.00 vs. 11.00, p = 0.002). Themes from focus groups converged with survey data showing participants valued the ACP process and consider further engagement in ACP to be worthwhile. Subthemes emphasized the need for and value of ACP. CONCLUSIONS: Skepticism about ACP may contribute to low rates of ACP engagement in underserved African American communities. The positive attitudes uncovered in our study either negate previous findings or suggest reduced skepticism. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study has been registered at clinicaltrials.gov ( NCT03456921 ).

Communication Quality Analysis: A user-friendly observational measure of patient-clinician communication.

Communication Quality Analysis (CQA) is a rigorous transcript-based coding method for assessing clinical communication quality. We compared the resource-intensive transcript-based version with a streamlined real-time version of the method with respect to feasibility, validity, reliability, and association with traditional measures of communication quality. Simulated conversations between 108 trainees and 12 standardized patients were assessed by 7 coders using the two versions of CQA (transcript and real-time). Participants also completed two traditional communication quality assessment measures. Real-time CQA was feasible and yielded fair to excellent reliability, with some caveats that can be addressed in future work. CQA ratings were moderately correlated with traditional measures of communication quality, suggesting that CQA captures different aspects of communication quality than do traditional measures. Finally, CQA did not exhibit the ceiling effects observed in the traditional measures of communication quality. We conclude that real-time CQA is a user-friendly method for assessing communication quality that has the potential for broad application in training, research, and intervention contexts and may offer improvements to traditional, self-rated communication measures.

Success of a Community-Based Delivery at Recruiting Individuals from Underserved Communities for an Observational Cohort Study of an Advance Care Planning Intervention.

BACKGROUND: Underserved and minority populations are often reluctant to engage in advance care planning and/or research often due to distrust in healthcare and/or research institutions. AIM: To determine if use of a community-based delivery model can facilitate recruitment of individuals from underserved communities in research about advance care planning. DESIGN: Recruitment data are presented from a prospective, mixed methods observational cohort study that examined the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a community-based delivery model involving an end-of-life conversation game to motivate participants to complete advance care planning behaviors. Event attendance and research participation data are reported. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Game events were held in community venues in 27 states across the US in 2018-2019. The model involved leveraging existing social networks to recruit attendees and research participants to community game day events. Attendees were eligible for research if they were adults who read/spoke English. RESULTS: A total of 1,122 individuals attended events at 53 sites. Participants generally reported low income (48% reported $30,000 annual income). At sites with research assistants, there was a 90% consent rate (92% were Black). At community outreach sites, 45% agreed to a follow-up research phone call (49% were Black). CONCLUSIONS: Use of the community-based delivery model successfully engaged undeserved communities in a research-based advance care planning related community outreach event. This model may be useful for overcoming underserved and minority populations' skepticism and distrust of healthcare and research that is a common barrier to progress in health agendas, especially advance care planning.

Voices from the Pandemic: A Qualitative Study of Family Experiences and Suggestions regarding the Care of Critically Ill Patients.

Rationale: Intensive care unit (ICU) visitation restrictions during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic have drastically reduced family-engaged care. Understanding the impact of physical distancing on family members of ICU patients is needed to inform future policies. Objectives: To understand the experiences of family members of critically ill patients with COVID-19 when physically distanced from their loved ones and to explore ways clinicians may support them. Methods: This qualitative study of an observational cohort study reports data from 74 family members of ICU patients with COVID-19 at 10 United States hospitals in four states, chosen based on geographic and demographic diversity. Adult family members of patients admitted to the ICU with COVID-19 during the early phase of the pandemic (February-June 2020) were invited to participate in a phone interview. Interviews followed a semistructured guide to assess four constructs: illness narrative, stress experiences, communication experiences, and satisfaction with care. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using an inductive approach to thematic analysis. Results: Among 74 interviewees, the mean age was 53.0 years, 55% were white, and 76% were female. Physical distancing contributed to substantial stress and harms (nine themes). Participants described profound suffering and psychological illness, unfavorable perceptions of care, and weakened therapeutic relationship between family members and clinicians. Three communication principles emerged as those most valued by family members: contact, consistency, and compassion (the 3Cs). Family members offered suggestions to guide clinicians faced with communicating with physically distanced families. Conclusions: Visitation restrictions impose substantial psychological harms upon family members of critically ill patients. Derived from the voics of family members, our findings warrant strong consideration when implementing visitation restrictions in the ICU and advocate for investment in infrastructure (including staffing and videoconferencing) to support communication. This study offers family-derived recommendations to operationalize the 3Cs to guide and improve communication in times of physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Comparing two advance care planning conversation activities to motivate advance directive completion in underserved communities across the USA: The Project Talk Trial study protocol for a cluster, randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Advance care planning (ACP) is a process involving conversations between patients, loved ones, and healthcare providers that consider patient preferences for the types of medical therapies received at the end of life. Underserved populations, including Black, Hispanic, rural, and low-income communities are less likely to engage in ACP than other communities, a health inequity that results in lower-quality care and reduced hospice utilization. The purpose of this trial is to compare efficacy of two interventions intended to motivate ACP (particularly advance directive completion) for those living in underserved communities. METHODS: This 3-armed cluster, randomized controlled mixed methods design is being conducted in 75 community venues in underserved communities across the USA. The goal of the trial is to compare the efficacy of two interventions at motivating ACP. Arm 1 uses an end-of-life conversation game (Hello); Arm 2 uses a nationally utilized workshop format for ACP conversations (The Conversation Project); and Arm 3 uses an attention control game (TableTopics). Events are held in partnership with 75 local community-based host organizations and will involve 1500 participants (n=20 per event). The primary outcome is completion of a visually verified advance directive at 6 months post-event. Primary analyses compare efficacy of each intervention to each other and the control arm. Secondary mixed methods outcomes include (a) other ACP behaviors and engagement; (b) communication quality; (c) impact of sociocultural environment on ACP (via qualitative interviews); and (d) implementation and sustainability. Subgroup analyses examine outcomes for Black, Hispanic, and rural groups in particular. DISCUSSION: This trial will add to the evidence base behind various conversational ACP interventions, examine potential mechanisms of action for such interventions, and provide qualitative data to better understand the sociocultural environment of how community-based ACP interventions are experienced by underserved populations. Results will also provide important data for future researchers to learn whether visual verification of advance directives is necessary or whether reliance on self-reported outcomes is of comparable value. Data from this study will inform ways to effectively motivate underserved communities to participate in advance care planning. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04612738. Registered on October 12, 2020. All information from the WHO Trial Registration Data Set can be found within the protocol.

Stress-Related Disorders of Family Members of Patients Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit With COVID-19.

Importance: The psychological symptoms associated with having a family member admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) during the COVID-19 pandemic are not well defined. Objective: To examine the prevalence of symptoms of stress-related disorders, primarily posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), in family members of patients admitted to the ICU with COVID-19 approximately 90 days after admission. Design, Setting, and Participants: This prospective, multisite, mixed-methods observational cohort study assessed 330 family members of patients admitted to the ICU (except in New York City, which had a random sample of 25% of all admitted patients per month) between February 1 and July 31, 2020, at 8 academic-affiliated and 4 community-based hospitals in 5 US states. Exposure: Having a family member in the ICU with COVID-19. Main Outcomes and Measures: Symptoms of PTSD at 3 months, as defined by a score of 10 or higher on the Impact of Events Scale 6 (IES-6). Results: A total of 330 participants (mean [SD] age, 51.2 [15.1] years; 228 [69.1%] women; 150 [52.8%] White; 92 [29.8%] Hispanic) were surveyed at the 3-month time point. Most individuals were the patients' child (129 [40.6%]) or spouse or partner (81 [25.5%]). The mean (SD) IES-6 score at 3 months was 11.9 (6.1), with 201 of 316 respondents (63.6%) having scores of 10 or higher, indicating significant symptoms of PTSD. Female participants had an adjusted mean IES-6 score of 2.6 points higher (95% CI, 1.4-3.8; P < .001) than male participants, whereas Hispanic participants scored a mean of 2.7 points higher compared with non-Hispanic participants (95% CI, 1.0-4.3; P = .002). Those with graduate school experience had an adjusted mean score of 3.3 points lower (95% CI, 1.5-5.1; P < .001) compared with those with up to a high school degree or equivalent. Qualitative analyses found no substantive differences in the emotional or communication-related experiences between those with high vs low PTSD scores, but those with higher scores exhibited more distrust of practitioners. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study, symptoms of PTSD among family members of ICU patients with COVID-19 were high. Hispanic ethnicity and female gender were associated with higher symptoms. Those with higher scores reported more distrust of practitioners.

Association of Participation in an End-of-Life Conversation Game With Advance Care Planning Behavior and Perspectives Among African American Individuals.

Importance: Less than 25% of African American individuals have completed advance directives and are thus vulnerable to poor end-of-life care. Low-cost interventions are needed to increase engagement in advance care planning (ACP). Objectives: To investigate whether an end-of-life conversation game motivates African American attendees to engage in ACP and to assess whether the game is well received and endorsed. Exposures: Attendance at an end-of-life conversation game (Hello) played in groups of 4 to 6 participants for 60 minutes. Design, Setting, and Participants: Prospective, mixed-methods cohort study conducted from 2018 to 2019 with a 3- to 11-month follow-up interview. Game events were held in 53 community venues across the US; 15 were purposively sampled for onsite research procedures. Of 428 attendees at purposively sampled sites, 386 (90%) consented to research procedures (6 attendees were removed from analysis for protocol deviation). Of 367 attendees who provided accurate contact information, 232 (63%) were contacted, and 220 were included in follow-up analyses. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was advance directive completion rates after the intervention. Secondary outcomes included rates of other ACP behaviors, ACP engagement, conversation satisfaction and realism, and participants' Net Promoter Score (a measure of endorsement). Follow-up telephone interviews explored the game experience and relevant ACP behaviors of attendees. Results: Of 380 individuals who participated (mean [SD] age, 62.2 [13.8] years; 304 were female [80%], and 348 were [92%] African American), none withdrew because of an adverse event. After the intervention, 91 of 220 attendees (41%) completed a new advance directive; 176 of 220 attendees (80%) discussed end-of-life wishes with loved ones, and 214 of 219 attendees (98%) completed at least 1 ACP behavior. There was a moderate increase in the self-efficacy domain on the ACP Engagement Survey (mean [SD] change from before to after the game, 0.54 [0.98]; P < .001). The mean (SD) conversation satisfaction score was 6.21 (0.93) (range, 1-7, with 7 being highest satisfaction), and the overall Net Promoter Score was 57.89 (range, -100 to 100, with 100 being highest endorsement). Interviews revealed 5 themes about the game: (1) it was a useful forum for ACP; (2) it provided new information and perspective; (3) it was emotionally beneficial; (4) it increased appreciation for ACP; and (5) it empowered and motivated participants to perform ACP. Mixed-methods integration showed convergence across data sets. Conclusions and Relevance: Among a nationwide sample of African American individuals, the end-of-life conversation game appeared to be well received and was associated with high rates of ACP behavior. This low-cost and scalable tool may help reduce health disparities associated with end-of-life care.

Opportunities and challenges in screening for childhood sexual abuse.

Retrospective studies suggest 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will experience sexual abuse before 18 years of age, resulting in future morbidity. Successful interventions exist, however, victims are reluctant to disclose. Screening for childhood sexual abuse (CSA) may provide an opportunity to overcome this barrier, yet no current model for universal CSA screening exists. We sought to understand the perspective of key stakeholders on CSA screening through qualitative research. Eight focus groups of 7-10 participants each (n=62) were conducted from April-September 2016. Stakeholders included school nurses, school teachers, counselors and administrators, pediatric providers, and parents. The interview guide focused on reporting suspected CSA and impressions of a CSA screening tool. Sessions were audiotaped and transcribed. Researchers used qualitative content analysis to develop conceptual categories that related to CSA screening and reporting. Two research team members independently open-coded 20% of the data for interrater reliability (kappa=0.98) prior to completing the coding process. Three major categories emerged to inform CSA screening. First, early screening (e.g. kindergarten) was preferred. Confidentiality was a concern, specifically privacy in the school-setting. As CSA perpetrators are often known to the child, parental presence in the medical office was also a concern. Finally, refinement of the screening process was discussed starting with routine education on safe touch and defining "normal." Rather than direct questioning, consistent and repeated offering of opportunities to disclose CSA and identification of a trusted adult were suggested. Next steps should involve partnering with evidence-based CSA prevention programs to incorporate and evaluate the aforementioned elements.

Comparison of age-related changes in wrinkling and sagging of the skin in Caucasian females and in Japanese females.

We compared age-related changes in wrinkles in eight areas of facial skin (forehead, glabella, upper eyelid, corner of the eye, lower eyelid, nasolabial groove, cheek, and corner of the mouth) and sagging in the subzygomatic area of Caucasian females and of Japanese females. The subjects studied included 85 healthy Caucasian females (ages 20-69 years) living in Cincinnati in the U.S. and 70 Japanese females (ages 20-69 years) living in Tokyo. Photos of the face in frontal and in oblique 45 degrees views were analyzed. Wrinkles in the face and sagging in the subzygomatic area were graded on Japanese photoscales, respectively, by the same experienced observer. The wrinkle score increased with age in all eight areas of the face examined in Caucasian females as well as in Japanese females. In the group aged 20-29 years, the wrinkle score in each area was significantly higher in Caucasian females than in Japanese females. The wrinkle scores in the forehead, glabella, upper eyelid, and corner of the eye were similar at advanced ages between the two groups, while the wrinkle scores in lower areas of the face (lower eyelid, nasolabial groove, cheek, and corner of the mouth) were markedly higher in Caucasian females than in Japanese females in each age group, and reached an upper limit at advanced ages in Caucasian females. The sagging score also increased with age in Caucasian females as well as in Japanese females. The sagging score was significantly higher in Caucasian females than in Japanese females in the groups aged 40 years or more. These results suggest more marked wrinkle formation in all areas of the face in younger age groups of Caucasian females living in North America than in Japanese females living in Tokyo. In particular, Caucasian females showed marked age-related wrinkle formation in the lower areas of the face, probably due to sagging in the subzygomatic area, which suggests a higher susceptibility to sagging in the subzygomatic area of Caucasian females.