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A feasibility study of Dignity Psychotherapy delivered via telemedicine

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 April 2005

STEVEN D. PASSIK ,
KENNETH L. KIRSH ,
SUZANNE LEIBEE ,
LISA S. KAPLAN ,
CELIA LOVE ,
ELLEN NAPIER ,
DEBORAH BURTON  and
ROBERT SPRANG
STEVEN D. PASSIK
Affiliation:
Symptom Management and Palliative Care Program, Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
KENNETH L. KIRSH
Affiliation:
Symptom Management and Palliative Care Program, Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
SUZANNE LEIBEE
Affiliation:
Symptom Management and Palliative Care Program, Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
LISA S. KAPLAN
Affiliation:
Editor, Health and Wellness Magazine, Lifeworks Video, Lexington, Kentucky
CELIA LOVE
Affiliation:
Symptom Management and Palliative Care Program, Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
ELLEN NAPIER
Affiliation:
Symptom Management and Palliative Care Program, Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
DEBORAH BURTON
Affiliation:
Kentucky Telemedicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
ROBERT SPRANG
Affiliation:
Kentucky Telemedicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
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Abstract

Objective: Dignity Psychotherapy has shown great promise as a value-affirming intervention for patients with advanced disease. We delivered the Dignity Psychotherapy intervention in a feasibility study of a series of eight cancer patients via videophone technology to deliver the therapy into their homes.

Methods: Once eligible patients were consented on this IRB-approved study, they completed baseline assessments and were scheduled to have the videophone placed in their homes. The Dignity Therapy sessions then encompassed a first session, which was transcribed and edited, followed by a second session to go over the edited transcript and allow the patient to make changes. Patients then filled out follow-up questionnaires and had the telemedicine equipment removed from their homes, and their legacy document delivered.

Results: Participants had a mean age of 56.32 years (range = 41–66, SD = 7.65) and were diagnosed with lung (n = 5, 62.5%), breast (n = 2, 25%), or colon cancer (n = 1, 12.5%). They reported overall benefit from the intervention along with a high level of satisfaction. We were able to deliver the intervention in a timely fashion, with minimal length between sessions and transcript delivery and few technical difficulties.

Significance of results: Telemedicine can greatly extend the benefits of Dignity Psychotherapy by bringing it to patients who are dying at home. Our very preliminary work suggests that delivering the intervention to patients who are too ill to leave their homes or who are in rural locations may be a feasible way to help them.

Keywords

Dignity PsychotherapyTelemedicine
Type
Research Article
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 2 , Issue 2 , June 2004 , pp. 149 - 155
Copyright
© 2004 Cambridge University Press

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