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BMC Palliative Care
Published in: BMC Palliative Care 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research article

Design of, and enrollment in, the palliative care communication research initiative: a direct-observation cohort study

Authors: Robert Gramling, Elizabeth Gajary-Coots, Susan Stanek, Nathalie Dougoud, Heather Pyke, Marie Thomas, Jenica Cimino, Mechelle Sanders, Stewart C. Alexander, Ronald Epstein, Kevin Fiscella, David Gramling, Susan Ladwig, Wendy Anderson, Stephen Pantilat, Sally A. Norton

Published in: BMC Palliative Care | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

Understanding the characteristics of communication that foster patient-centered outcomes amid serious illness are essential for the science of palliative care. However, epidemiological cohort studies that directly observe clinical conversations can be challenging to conduct in the natural setting. We describe the successful enrollment, observation and data collection methods of the ongoing Palliative Care Communication Research Initiative (PCCRI).

Methods

The PCCRI is a multi-site cohort study of naturally occurring inpatient palliative care consultations. The 6-month cohort data includes directly observed and audio-recorded palliative care consultations (up to first 3 visits); patient/proxy/clinician self-report questionnaires both before and the day after consultation; post-consultation in-depth interviews; and medical/administrative records.

Results

One hundred fourteen patients or their proxies enrolled in PCCRI during Enrollment Year One (of Three). Seventy percent of eligible patients/proxies were invited to hear about a communication research study (188/269); 60 % of them ultimately enrolled in the PCCRI (114/188), resulting in a 42 % sampling proportion (114/269 eligible). All PC clinicians at study sites were invited to participate; all 45 participated.

Conclusions

Epidemiologic study of patient-family-clinician communication in palliative care settings is feasible and acceptable to patients, proxies and clinicians. We detail the successful PCCRI methods for enrollment, direct observation and data collection for this complex “field” environment.
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Metadata
Title
Design of, and enrollment in, the palliative care communication research initiative: a direct-observation cohort study
Authors
Robert Gramling
Elizabeth Gajary-Coots
Susan Stanek
Nathalie Dougoud
Heather Pyke
Marie Thomas
Jenica Cimino
Mechelle Sanders
Stewart C. Alexander
Ronald Epstein
Kevin Fiscella
David Gramling
Susan Ladwig
Wendy Anderson
Stephen Pantilat
Sally A. Norton
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Palliative Care / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1472-684X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-015-0037-8

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Reviewer acknowledgement

BMC Palliative Care reviewer acknowledgement 2014