The Association Between an Electronic Health Record (EHR)-Embedded Frailty Index and Patient-Reported Outcomes Among Patients with Metastatic Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer on Immunotherapy: A Brief Report.

Background: While frailty is a well-established predictor of overall mortality among patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC), its association with patient-reported outcomes is not well-characterized. The goal of this study was to examine the association between an electronic frailty index (eFI) score and patient-reported outcome measures along with prognostic awareness among patients with mNSCLC receiving immunotherapy. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, patients with mNSCLC who were on immunotherapy completed the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC-QLQ-C30) and the National Cancer Institute Patient Reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE). We utilized bivariate analyses to compare quality of life, symptoms, supportive services, and prognostic awareness among 3 groups defined by e-frailty status. Results: Sixty patients (mean age 62.5 years, 75% Caucasian, 60% women) participated. Most patients were pre-frail (68%), with 13% being frail and 18% non-frail. Pre-frail and frail patients had significantly lower physical function scores (mean 83.9 fit vs 74.8 pre-frail vs 60.0 frail, P = .04) and higher rates of self-reported pain (75% frail vs 41.5% pre-frail vs 18.2% fit; P = .04) compared to non-frail patients. We found no differences in palliative referral rates. Conclusion: Pre-frail and frail mNSCLC patients identified by the eFI have higher rates of pain and physical functional impairments than non-frail patients. These findings highlight the importance of emphasizing preventive interventions targeting social needs, functional limitations, and pain management, especially among pre-frail patients to reduce further decline.

The 2023-2026 Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association Research Agenda.

The Hospice and Palliative Nursing Association established the triannual research agenda to ( a ) provide focus for researchers to conduct meaningful scientific and quality improvement initiatives and inform evidence-based practice, ( b ) guide organizational funding, and ( c ) illustrate to other stakeholders the importance of nursing research foci. HPNA Research Agendas are developed to give direction for future research to continue advancing expert care in serious illness and ensure equitable delivery of hospice and palliative care.

Readiness to Plan for Aging and Frailty: Examining Contextual Factors.

As older adults live longer, individual and societal efforts must be directed toward strategies to promote healthy and successful aging. Planning for aging and frailty offers an opportunity for older adults to optimize their well-being and proactively prepare across their aging trajectory. The current study evaluated the relationship between contextual factors (functional status, frailty, health status, social support) that influence older adults' readiness to engage in planning in five domains of aging (communication, environmental, financial, physical care, cognitive) through the transtheoretical stages of change. Results showed that factors influencing active planning include older age, vulnerability, living situation, and social support. These results add to the discourse on future care planning through a comprehensive approach to planning across a life course perspective, while highlighting the importance of future research at individual and societal levels. Gerontological nurses are well-positioned to lead planning efforts for older adults that promote well-being, patient-centered care, and healthy aging. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 49(2), 27-35.].

Development of a Planning for Aging and Frailty Questionnaire.

There is a gap in understanding adults' readiness to plan for adaptions across the aging trajectory. The purpose of the current psychometric project was to develop and test the Planning for Aging and Frailty Questionnaire. Clinical experience and extant literature formed the basis for creating items measuring planning for aging. Content validity was established with gerontology and health service research experts. Face validity testing was conducted through two cognitive interviewing and debriefing sessions at a senior center. All survey questions resulted in a content validity index ≥0.80 from experts. Face validity testing involved successful completion of the survey by 12 adults followed by cognitive interviewing/debriefing, resulting in minor changes. The 21-item Planning for Aging and Frailty Questionnaire demonstrates good initial validity and can be used to measure readiness in planning for aging and personal experiences and experiences with others. Further testing with additional usage is warranted. [Research in Gerontological Nursing, 15(5), 239-244.].

PLAN: Preparing and Living for Aging Now; A descriptive study investigating older adults' readiness to plan for aging and frailty.

OBJECTIVES: Many older adults want to age in place but do not make plans. Understanding how and under what conditions adults prepare/plan ahead is vital given population aging and increasing frailty. This study examines the stages of change and experiences (personal/others) related to readiness to plan for aging and frailty. METHODS: Descriptive cross-sectional. SETTING: Community-dwelling. PARTICIPANTS: Adults aged 50-80(N = 252). DATA COLLECTION: demographics, other characteristics, stages of change, experiences (personal/others) was assessed with survey questions. DATA ANALYSIS: frequencies/percentages, McNemar test, Chi-square. RESULTS: Among domains, participants' percentages in action/maintenance stages ranged from 28.2% (cognitive) to 68.7% (financial). Participants had increased experience with others across domains rather than self. Older participants (≥ 70) vs. younger (50-69) reported statistically significant greater planning in action/maintenance stages for all domains (p < .05) with the exception of cognitive. DISCUSSION: Examining the concept of planning for aging and frailty provides a foundation for future work to develop/test interventions aimed at increasing readiness for aging.

Perspectives on Aging and End of Life Among Lower Socioeconomic Status (SES) Older Adults.

Objective: To explore the experiences of aging that influence perceptions of and receptivity to planning for aging and EOL among lower SES older adults. Methods: Supported by a frailty-focused communication educational aid, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 older adults residing in income-assisted housing. Follow-up interviews were conducted 2 weeks later. Descriptive content analysis was performed. Results: Participants mean age was 62.4, and 75% were African American. Six categories emerged to create a narrative of lower SES older adults' experiences, including (1) readiness to plan for aging and EOL, (2) interaction with the healthcare system, (3) daily life with insufficient resources, (4) the role of religiosity, (5) relationships with others, and (6) motivation and health status. Discussion: Life course vulnerabilities and struggles of lower SES older adults preclude opportunities to proactively plan for aging and EOL. Holistic interventions and innovative approaches are needed to address aging across the life course.

Continuation of Hemodialysis in a Patient With Global Hypoxic Brain Injury: Ethical Considerations and Factors That May Influence Decision Making.

Survivors of an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest are at a high risk of mortality and morbidity especially when there is resultant global hypoxic brain injury. In these situations, the patient's degree of neurologic recovery may be uncertain and family decision making is often difficult. Decision making may also be complicated by the age of the patient and one's underlying cultural and spiritual beliefs stressing the importance of patient- and family-centered care. In this article, this clinical case demonstrates the challenges in decision making and highlights the importance of communication among the health care team and the family to align the patient's goals, values, and preferences in light of a poor neurological prognosis.

A scoping review of nurse-led advance care planning.

BACKGROUND: Advance care planning (ACP) supports persons at any age or health status to determine their values, goals, and preferences regarding future medical care. The American Nurses Association endorses nurses to facilitate ACP to promote patient- and family-centered care. PURPOSE: This project reviewed and synthesized literature on nurse-led ACP training models. METHODS: A scoping review used the Arksey and O'Malley Framework to identify: (a) ACP training model type, (b) nurse-led ACP recipients, (c) ACP in special populations, (d) ACP outcomes. FINDINGS: Of 33 articles reviewed, 19 included 11 established models; however, the primary finding was lack of a clearly identified evidence-based nurse-led ACP training model. DISCUSSION: Nurses are integral team members, well positioned to be a bridge of communication between patients and care providers. This is a call to action for nurse leaders, researchers, educators to collaborate to identify and implement an evidence-based, effective nurse-led ACP training model.

Exploring the Uptake of Advance Care Planning in Older Adults: An Integrative Review.

CONTEXT: Advance care planning (ACP) is essential to elicit goals, values, and preferences of care in older adults with serious illness and on trajectories of frailty. An exploration of ACP uptake in older adults may identify barriers and facilitators. OBJECTIVE: To conduct an integrative review of research on the uptake of ACP in older adults and create a conceptual model of the findings. METHODS: Using Whittemore and Knafl's methodology, we systematically searched four electronic databases of ACP literature in older adults from 1996 through December 2019. Critical appraisal tools were used to assess study quality, and articles were categorized according to level of evidence. Statistical and thematic analysis was then undertaken. RESULTS: Among 1081 studies, 78 met inclusion criteria. Statistical analysis evaluated ACP and variables within the domains of demographics, psychosocial, disability and functioning, and miscellaneous. Thematic analysis identified a central category of enhanced communication, followed by categories of 1) provider role and preparation; 2) patient/family relationship patterns; 3) standardized processes and structured approaches; 4) contextual influences; and 5) missed opportunities. A conceptual model depicted categories and relationships. CONCLUSIONS: Enhanced communication and ACP facilitators improve uptake of ACP. Clinicians should be cognizant of these factors. This review provides a guide for clinicians who are considering implementation strategies to facilitate ACP in real-world settings.