Delirium is a frequent and severe complication of serious pediatric illness. Development of a nonpharmacologic approach to prevent pediatric delirium may improve short- and long-term outcomes in children and their families. In this brief report, we describe the development of a quality improvement project designed to methodically promote the family member's engagement, comforting, and orienting activities with their critically ill child to decrease delirium rates.

We created a developmentally specific Delirium Prevention Toolkit for families. In a feasibility pilot, March through June 2016, we offered the kit to 15 patients and their families. On discharge, families were asked to describe use of the toolkit and whether or not it was helpful for them.

Twelve of 15 patients and families used various elements of the toolkit, particularly the headphones, music, and games; no one regularly used the blank journal. All reported that it was easy and helpful to have as support for their stay in the pediatric intensive care unit.

This pilot demonstrated practicality of a nonpharmacologic delirium prevention toolkit in the pediatric intensive care unit, and satisfaction from patients and families.

The purpose of this study was to assess laypersons’ attitudes and completion of advance care planning (ACP) and to examine associations with sociodemographic characteristics and health beliefs on Alzheimer's disease.

A cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted during April and May 2017, with a sample of 514 Israeli adults, aged 18 years and above. A structured, pretested questionnaire assessing participants’ awareness, attitudes, and completion of ACP, as well as health beliefs on Alzheimer's disease (subjective knowledge, susceptibility, and worry), and sociodemographic factors, was used.

Two-fifths of the participants had heard of at least one of the terms: advance directives or durable power of attorney. Overall, participants expressed positive attitudes toward ACP. Results of regression models showed that gender, religiosity, and subjective knowledge of Alzheimer's disease were statistically significant correlates of attitudes toward ACP. Adding health beliefs on Alzheimer's disease doubled the amount of the variance explained, from 3% to 6%.

Our results support the use of cognitive models of health behavior by assessing intra-personal beliefs and knowledge to understand ACP attitudes and completion. Specifically, we demonstrated the importance of knowledge of Alzheimer's disease for ACP attitudes, suggesting the importance of including a module on the topic to ACP interventions.

Depressive symptoms are common in bereaved caregivers; however, there have been few prospective studies using a structured interview. This study investigated the prevalence and preloss predictors of major depressive disorder (MDD) in bereaved caregivers of patients in a palliative care unit.

This prospective cohort study collected caregiver sociodemographic and psychological data before the death of a palliative care unit patient, including MDD, care-burden, coping style, and hopeful attitude. Postloss MDD was assessed 6 and 13 months after death, and a multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify its predictors.

Of 305 caregivers contacted, 92 participated in this study. The prevalence of preloss MDD was 21.8%; the prevalences of postloss MDD were 34.8% and 24.7% at 6 and 13 months, respectively. Preloss MDD predicted postloss MDD at 6 months (odds ratio [OR] = 5.38, 95% confidence interval [CI95%] = 1.29, 22.43); preloss nonhopeful attitude and unemployment status of caregivers predicted postloss MDD at 13 months (OR = 8.77, CI95% = 1.87, 41.13 and OR = 7.10, CI95% = 1.28, 39.36, respectively).

Approximately 35% of caregivers suffered from MDD at 6 months postloss, but the prevalence of MDD decreased to about 25% at 13 months. Preloss MDD significantly predicted postloss MDD at 6 months, whereas hopeful attitude and unemployment at baseline were significantly associated with postloss MDD at 13 months.

The prevalence of burnout and distress among palliative care professionals has received much attention since research suggests it negatively impacts the quality of care. Although limited, research suggests low levels of burnout or distress among healthcare chaplains; however, there has been no research among chaplains working in specific clinical contexts, including palliative care.

This study explored the distress, self-care, and debriefing practices of chaplains working in palliative care.

Exploratory, cross-sectional survey of professional chaplains. Electronic surveys were sent to members of four professional chaplaincy organizations between February and April 2015. Primary measures of interest included Professional Distress, Distress from Theodicy, Informal Self-care, Formal Self-care, and debriefing practices.

More than 60% of chaplains working in palliative care reported feeling worn out in the past 3 months because of their work as a helper; at least 33% practice Informal Self-care weekly. Bivariate analysis suggested significant associations between Informal Self-care and both Professional Distress and Distress from Theodicy. Multivariate analysis also identified that distress decreased as Informal and Formal Self-care increased.

Chaplains working in palliative care appear moderately distressed, possibly more so than chaplains working in other clinical areas. These chaplains also use debriefing, with non-chaplain palliative colleagues, to process clinical experiences. Further research is needed about the role of religious or spiritual beliefs and practices in protecting against stress associated with care for people at the end of life.

Although the needs of the bereaved have been identified widely in the literature, how these needs translate into meaningful, appropriate, and client-centered programs needs further exploration. The application of receptivity to support is a critical factor in participation by the bereaved in palliative care bereavement programs. Receptivity is a complex multifactorial phenomenon influenced by internal and external factors that ultimately influences engagement in psychosocial support in bereavement. This study explored factors that influence receptivity to bereavement support from palliative care services in rural, regional, and remote Western Australia.

The study comprised a qualitative descriptive research design using semistructured interviews with 24 bereaved individuals, nine palliative care health professionals, and four Aboriginal Health Professionals. Participants were recruited via palliative care services in country Western Australia. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed.

Findings revealed that a range of individual, social, and geographical factors influence receptivity to bereavement support and can impact on utilization of bereavement support services.

Receptivity provides a frame of reference to enhance understanding of factors influencing engagement in psychosocial support in bereavement. Receptivity promotes a shift of service provider perspectives of effective supportive care to consumer-centric reasons for engagement.

A major barrier to the adoption of an approach that integrates spirituality into palliative care is the lack of preparation/education of healthcare professionals on the topic. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a continuing education activity for healthcare professionals addressing spirituality and spiritual care provision to patients and families within palliative care.

We conducted an intervention study using a quantitative pre- and posttest design in a convenience sample of 52 healthcare professionals. Participants completed the Brazilian version of the Spiritual Care Competence Scale before and after attending a four-hour continuing education activity.

Significant differences were observed between pre- and postintervention scores in the following dimensions: assessment and implementation of spiritual care, professionalization and improving the quality of spiritual care, personal support, and patient counseling (p < 0.001), and referral (p = 0.003).

The results of this study provide preliminary evidence of a positive effect of this educational intervention on the development of the competences needed by healthcare professionals to deliver a comprehensive approach centered on the patient/family, which includes attention to spirituality and spiritual care in the decision-making process.

Implementation of an advance care planning (ACP) program for people with advanced chronic conditions is a complex process. The aims of this paper are to describe (1) the development of the ACP program in Catalonia, Spain, for patients with advanced chronic conditions and complex needs and (2) the preliminary results of the implementation of this program in health and social services.

The ACP program was developed and implemented in a four-stage process as follows: (1) design and organization of the project; (2) selection of the professionals to carry out the project; (3) creation of four working groups to develop the conceptual model, guidelines, training program, and perform a qualitative evaluation; and (4) project implementation.

The following deliverables were completed: (1) conceptual framework document; (2) practical guidelines for the application of the ACP; (3) online training course (3,763 healthcare professionals completed the online course, with an overall satisfaction rating of 8.4 on a 10-point scale); and (4) additional training activities (conferences, short courses, and seminars) in between 2015 and 2017.

This project was led by the Catalan Ministry of Health. The strengths of the project development include the contribution of a wide range of professionals from the entire region, approval by the Catalan Bioethics Committee and the Social Services Ethics Committee, and the ongoing validation by members of the community. A standardized online training course was offered to all primary care professionals and included as a quality indicator for continuing education for those professionals in the period 2016–2020. The main outcome of this project is the establishment of a pragmatic ACP throughout the region and training of the health and social care professionals involved in the care of advanced chronic patients.

To obtain preliminary knowledge to design a randomized controlled trial to clarify the effects of spiritual care using the Spiritual Pain Assessment Sheet (SpiPas).

The study was designed as a nonrandomized controlled trial. The study took place between January 2015 and July 2015 in a hematology and oncology ward and two palliative care units in Japan. Among 54 eligible patients with advanced cancer, 46 were recruited (24 in the control group vs. 22 in the intervention group). The intervention group received spiritual care using SpiPas and usual care; the control group received usual care. The primary outcome was the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual (FACIT-Sp). The secondary outcomes were the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Comprehensive Quality of Life Outcome (CoQoLo).

A total of 33 (72%) and 23 (50%) patients completed 2- and 3-week follow-up evaluations, respectively. The differences in the changes during 2 weeks in total scores of FACIT-Sp and HADS were significant (95% confidence intervals, 3.65, 14.4, p < 0.01; –11.2 to –1.09, p = .02, respectively). No significant changes were observed in the total score of CoQoLo.

Spiritual care using the SpiPas might be useful for improving patient spiritual well-being. This controlled clinical trial could be performed and a future clinical trial is promising if outcomes are obtained within 2 weeks.

Recently, rehabilitation therapists have become involved in cancer rehabilitation; however, no communication skills training that increases the ability to provide emotional support for cancer patients has been developed for rehabilitation therapists. In addition, no study has examined associations between rehabilitation therapists’ communication skills and their level of autistic-like traits (ALT), which are in-born characteristics including specific communication styles and difficulty communicating with patients. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether confidence in communicating with patients mitigates communication difficulties experienced by rehabilitation therapists who have high levels of ALT.

Rehabilitation therapists who treat patients with cancer completed self-administered postal questionnaires anonymously. Scores were obtained on the Autism-Spectrum Quotient short form, confidence in communication, and communication difficulties. We used covariance structure analyses to test hypothetical models, and confirmed that confidence in communication mediates the relationship between ALT and perceived communication difficulties.

Participants included 1,343 respondents (49.6%). Autism-Spectrum Quotient scores were positively correlated with communication difficulties (r = 0.16, p < 0.001). The correlation was mitigated by confidence in communication in the fit model. However, higher confidence in creating a supportive atmosphere was associated with more difficulty in communication (r = 0.16, p < 0.001).

Communication difficulty was linked to rehabilitation therapists’ ALTs. By increasing confidence in areas of communication other than creation of a supportive atmosphere, ALT-related difficulties in communication may be ameliorated. Confidence to create supportive environments correlated positively with difficulty. Communication skills training to increase confidence in communication for rehabilitation therapists should be developed with vigilance regarding ALT levels.

The purpose of the current study was to use a mixed-methods approach to assess the perspective of cancer survivors on the bidirectional impact between cancer and their social contexts.

A fixed concurrent triangulation mixed-methods survey design was used with open- and closed-ended questions that were predetermined and administered to participants. Quantitative items included demographic questions and the Life Impact Checklist. Qualitative questions were designed to explore the bidirectional impact between the patient and specific contexts including spirituality/faith, the spousal/partner relationship, and the family. A cross-sectional descriptive approach was used to evaluate the quantitative items and the constant comparative method guided the analysis of open-ended questions.

Among 116 participants (mean age 58.4 years), the majority were female (66.7%) with breast cancer (27.9%). Nearly one-half the respondents endorsed a positive impact of cancer on their spirituality/faith, but qualitative results suggested less of a bidirectional impact. The importance of the spouse/partner during the cancer experience was emphasized, including the subthemes of instrumental and emotional support; however, there was often a negative impact of cancer on the spouse/partner relationship, including sexual functioning. Survivors indicated family members provided instrumental and emotional support, but not as regularly or directly as a spouse/partner.

Social contexts are important among cancer survivors, with many cancer survivors relying more on their spouse/partner than other family members for support. The cancer experience is stressful not only for survivors, but also for individuals in their social contexts and relationships.

To investigate the effect of a written prayer technique on the anxiety of mothers of children with cancer.

This clinical trial recruited 90 mothers of children with cancer admitted to the Medical Centre of Tehran. Using a convenience sampling method, we randomly assigned the participants to two groups: control (n = 45) and intervention (n = 45). Data were collected through the Spielberger's anxiety scale and a demographic questionnaire. Maternal anxiety was measured before the intervention, immediately after the three-day intervention, and five weeks after the intervention. We used a writing technique in the intervention and control groups for 20 minutes over three consecutive days. In the intervention group, participants wrote down their sincere desires and wishes that they demanded from God without any worry or stress. The control group spent 20 minutes writing their normal daily schedules; for example, feeding their children or changing their children's clothes. During the three consecutive days of intervention, we asked both groups not to worry about grammar or spelling errors. Finally, the data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistical methods.

A statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups (intervention and control mean, 34.9 ± 9.9 and 47.9 ± 16.2, respectively) relative to anxiety after the intervention (p < 0.001). After five weeks, the intervention group continued to exhibit significantly reduced anxiety compared with the control group (intervention and control mean, 34.7 ± 9.6 and 48.5 ± 16.4; p < 0.001).

The written prayer technique appears to be an effective, efficient, cost-effective, and practical method for reducing anxiety in mothers of children with cancer.

Understanding factors that are associated with more adaptive death attitudes and competencies can inspire future health-promoting palliative care strategies and inform approaches to training and development for health professionals. The potential importance of meaning, purpose, quality, and values in life for promoting adaptive death attitudes has been highlighted, but there is limited research in this area, particularly in relation to death competence. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to develop an understanding of demographic and life-related factors associated with perceived death competence, such as meaning in life and quality of life.

During the course enrollment period of a Massive-Online-Open-Course about death and dying, 277 participants completed questionnaires on death competence, meaning in life, quality of life, and sociodemographic background.

Findings indicated that greater presence of meaning in life, quality of life, age, death experience, and carer experience were each statistically significant unique predictors of death competence scores. Life-related variables were more strongly associated with death competence than demographic variables. Bereavement experience and experience caring for the dying was associated with greater death competence, but there were no differences on death competence between health professionals and the general community. Above all other factors, the presence of meaning in life was the strongest predictor of higher perceived competence in coping with death.

The findings demonstrate important interconnections between our attitudes about life and death. Knowledge of factors associated with poorer death competence may help identify those at risk of greater distress when facing death, and might prove useful additions to bereavement risk assessments. Understanding factors associated with greater death competence in health professionals and volunteers may help predict or prevent burnout and compassion fatigue, and help identify who would benefit from additional training and support. Future longitudinal studies including both health professionals and the general community are needed to determine the effect adaptive attitudes toward meaning in life can potentially have on bolstering subsequent adaptive coping and competence regarding death and dying.

Little is known about the outcomes of cancer patients referred to palliative care (PC) teams in developing countries. Our aim was to examine the timing of PC access and outcomes of patients with advanced cancer referred to an inpatient PC consultation team in Brazil.

Retrospective study of consecutive patients with advanced cancer admitted to a tertiary care general hospital (April 2015–December 2016) and referred for the first time to an inpatient PC consultation team. Patients’ demographics, clinical features, time from first consult to death or discharge, and outcomes on medication use, clinical interventions, and end-of-life preferences were retrieved. An analysis was performed before and after PC.

One hundred eleven patients were included. Median age was 68; 72% had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≥3. The median timing of PC access was 9 days (first interquartile = 3, third interquartile = 19). The use of analgesics (from 75% to 85%, p = 0.001) and opioids (from 50% to 73%, p < .001) increased. A lower proportion was receiving antibiotics (68% vs 48%, p < 0.001), thromboprophylaxis (44% vs 26%, p < 0.001), antihypertensives (28% vs 15%, p = 0.001), and antiemetic agents (64% vs 54%, p = 0.027). Chemotherapy use was lower (39–25%, p < 0.001). More patients had an end-of-life preference (39% to 25%, p < 0.001) and were not willing to receive intubation (32% vs 60%, p < 0.001), intensive care treatment (30% vs 55%, p < 0.001), cardiopulmonary resuscitation (35% vs 62%, p < 0.001), and artificial nutrition (22% vs 34%, p < 0.001).

Although PC referrals occurred exceedingly late during the cancer disease trajectory, positive changes were observed in medication profiles, clinical interventions use, and end-of-life preferences of patients with advanced cancer referred to a specialized inpatient PC consultation team in Brazil. Further efforts are needed to improve early palliative cancer care in developing countries.

We aimed to explore multiple perspectives regarding barriers to and facilitators of advance care planning (ACP) among African Americans to identify similarities or differences that might have clinical implications.

Qualitative study with health disparities experts (n = 5), community members (n = 9), and seriously ill African American patients and caregivers (n = 11). Using template analysis, interviews were coded to identify intrapersonal, interpersonal, and systems-level themes in accordance with a social ecological framework.

Participants identified seven primary factors that influence ACP for African Americans: religion and spirituality; trust and mistrust; family relationships and experiences; patient-clinician relationships; prognostic communication, care preferences, and preparation and control. These influences echo those described in the existing literature; however, our data highlight consistent differences by group in the degree to which these factors positively or negatively affect ACP. Expert participants reinforced common themes from the literature, for example, that African Americans were not interested in prognostic information because of mistrust and religion. Seriously ill patients were more likely to express trust in their clinicians and to desire prognostic communication; they and community members expressed a desire to prepare for and control the end of life. Religious belief did not appear to negate these desires.

The literature on ACP in African Americans may not accurately reflect the experience of seriously ill African Americans. What are commonly understood as barriers to ACP may in fact not be. We propose reframing stereotypical barriers to ACP, such as religion and spirituality, or family, as cultural assets that should be engaged to enhance ACP. Although further research can inform best practices for engaging African American patients in ACP, findings suggest that respectful, rapport-building communication may facilitate ACP. Clinicians are encouraged to engage in early ACP using respectful and rapport building communication practices, including open-ended questions.

Percutaneous tunneled drainage catheter (PTDC) placement is a palliative alternative to serial paracenteses in patients with end-stage cancer and refractory ascites. The impact of PTDC on quality of life (QoL) and long-term outcomes has not been prospectively described. The objective was to evaluate changes in QoL after PTDC.

Eligible adult patients with end-stage cancer undergoing PTDC placement for refractory ascites completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire and McGill Quality of Life instruments before PTDC placement and at 2 to 7 days and 2 to 4 weeks after PTDC. Catheter function, complications, and laboratory values were assessed. Analysis of QoL data was evaluated with a stratified Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Fifty patients enrolled. Survey completion ranged from 65% to 100% (median 88%) across timepoints. All patients had a Tenckhoff catheter, with 98% technical success. Median survival after PTDC was 38 days (95% confidence interval = 32, 57 days). European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer scores showed improvement in global QoL (p = 0.03) at 1 week postprocedure (PP). Significant symptom improvement was reported for fatigue, nausea/vomiting, pain, dyspnea, insomnia, and appetite at 1 week PP and was sustained at 3 weeks PP for dyspnea (p < 0.01), insomnia (p < 0.01), and appetite loss (p = 0.03). McGill Quality of Life demonstrated overall QoL improvement at 1 (p = 0.03) and 3 weeks (p = 0.04) PP. Decline in sodium and albumin values pre- and post-PTDC slowed significantly (albumin slope –0.43 to –0.26, p = 0.055; sodium slope –2.50 to 1.31, p = 0.04). Creatinine values increased at an accelerated pace post-PTDC (0.040 to 0.21, p < 0.01). Thirty-eight catheter-related complications occurred in 24 of 45 patients (53%).

QoL and symptoms improved after PTDC placement for refractory ascites in patients with end-stage malignancy. Decline in sodium and albumin values slowed postplacement. This study supports the use of a PTDC for palliation of refractory ascites in cancer patients.

Implementation of patient-reported outcome measures for patients with palliative care needs is characterized by both enablers and barriers. The ways in which healthcare professionals experience the use of assessment tools is important. Our aims were to explore factors contributing to or hindering patients with palliative care needs in assessing their symptoms with the Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Scale (IPOS) and to explore healthcare professionals’ experiences of the use of IPOS in acute care settings.

Data were collected as a part of the evaluation of the feasibility of an implementation strategy for introducing IPOS. Data from three participating acute care units were included. We used descriptive and analytical statistics; a qualitative content analysis was also performed.

A total of 309 patients were eligible to be offered assessment of symptoms with IPOS. Of these 69 (22%) had completed IPOS. A significant positive association was found between healthcare professionals’ participation in training sessions and completed IPOS. The experiences of IPOS were split into two categories: “IPOS acting as a facilitator” and “barriers to the use of IPOS.” The use of IPOS was described as contributing to person-centered care of patients with palliative care needs and inspiration to improved routines. Healthcare professionals’ feelings of uncertainty about how to approach severely ill patients and their family members appear to have hindered their use of IPOS.

We found an association between healthcare professionals’ participation in training sessions and patients who completed IPOS, indicating the need for a high degree of attendance at the training to achieve successful implementation. The healthcare professionals expressed feelings of insecurity concerning the use of IPOS indicating a need for further education and clinical support in its use of IPOS. Nevertheless, use of IPOS was considered to contribute to improved care of patients with palliative care needs.

All accredited cancer institutions are required to screen patients for psychosocial distress. This paper describes the development, implementation, and preliminary outcomes of the University of California San Diego Health Moores Cancer Center Wellbeing Screening Program.

Essential steps learned in a formal National Cancer Institute–funded training workshop entitled “Implementing Comprehensive Biopsychosocial Screening” were followed to ensure successful program implementation. These steps included identification of stakeholders; formation of a working committee; establishment of a vision, process, and implementation timeline; creation of a screening tool; development of patient educational material; tool integration into an electronic medical record system; staff training and pilot testing of tool administration; and education about tool results and appropriate follow-up actions. Screening data were collected and analyzed retrospectively for preliminary results and rapid cycle improvement of the wellbeing screening process.

Over an 8-month implementation and assessment period, the screening tool was administered 5,610 times of 7,664 expected administrations (73.2%.) to 2,394 unique patients. Visits in which the questionnaire was administered averaged 39.6 ± 14.8 minutes, compared with 40.3 ± 15.2 minutes for visits in which the questionnaire was not administered (t = −1.76, df = 7,662, p = 0.079).

This program provides a process and a tool for successful implementation of distress screening in cancer centers, in a meaningful way for patients and providers, while meeting accreditation standards. Further, meaningful data about patient distress and tool performance were able to be collected and utilized.

To translate, culturally adapt, and psychometrically evaluate the Spanish version of the “Scale for End-of Life Caregiving Appraisal” (SEOLCAS).

Observational cross-sectional study. Convenience sample of 201 informal end-of-life caregivers recruited in a southern Spanish hospital. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed through its internal consistency (Cronbach's α) and temporal stability (Pearson's correlation coefficient [r] between test-retest). The content validity index of the items and the scale was calculated. Criterion validity was explored through performing a linear regression analysis to evaluate the SEOLCAS’ predictive validity. Exploratory factor analysis was used to examine its construct validity.

The SEOLCAS’ reliability was very high (Cronbach's α = 0.92). Its content validity was excellent (all items’ content validity index = 0.8–1; scale's validity index = 0.88). Evidence of the SEOLCAS’ criterion validity showed that the participants’ scores on the SEOLCAS explained approximately 79.3% of the between-subject variation of their results on the Zarit Burden Interview. Exploratory factor analysis provided evidence of the SEOLCAS’ construct validity. This analysis revealed that two factors (“internal contingencies” and “external contingencies”) explained 53.77% of the total variance found and reflected the stoic Hispanic attitude toward adversity.

The Spanish version of the SEOLCAS has shown to be an easily applicable, valid, reliable, and culturally appropriate tool to measure the impact of end-of-life care provision on Hispanic informal caregivers. This tool offers healthcare professionals the opportunity to easily explore Hispanic informal end-of-life caregivers’ experiences and discover the type of support they may need (instrumental or emotional) even when there are communicational and organizational constraints.

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate effectiveness of an educational training workshop using role-playing to teach medical students in Botswana to deliver bad news.

A 3-hour small group workshop for University of Botswana medical students rotating at the Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone was developed. The curriculum included an overview of communication basics and introduction of the validated (SPIKES) protocol for breaking bad news. Education strategies included didactic lecture, handouts, role-playing cases, and open forum discussion. Pre- and posttraining surveys assessed prior exposure and approach to breaking bad news using multiple-choice questions and perception of skill about breaking bad news using a 5-point Likert scale. An objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) with a standardized breaking bad news skills assessment was conducted; scores compared two medical student classes before and after the workshop was implemented.

Forty-two medical students attended the workshop and 83% (35/42) completed the survey. Medical students reported exposure to delivering bad news on average 6.9 (SD = 13.7) times monthly, with 71% (25/35) having delivered bad news themselves without supervision. Self-perceived skill and confidence increased from 23% (8/35) to 86% (30/35) of those who reported feeling “good” or “very good” with their ability to break bad news after the workshop. Feedback after the workshop demonstrated that 100% found the SPIKES approach helpful and planned to use it in clinical practice, found role-playing helpful, and requested more sessions. Competency for delivering bad news increased from a mean score of 14/25 (56%, SD = 3.3) at baseline to 18/25 (72%, SD = 3.6) after the workshop (p = 0.0002).

This workshop was effective in increasing medical student skill and confidence in delivering bad news. Standardized role-playing communication workshops integrated into medical school curricula could be a low-cost, effective, and easily implementable strategy to improve communication skills of doctors.

The aim of this study was to explore the support needs of Dutch informal caregivers of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 caregivers of ALS patients. Audio-taped interviews were transcribed and data were analyzed thematically.

A total of four global support needs emerged: “more personal time”, “assistance in applying for resources”, “counseling”, and “peer contact”. Despite their needs, caregivers are reluctant to apply for and accept support. They saw their own needs as secondary to the needs of the patients.

ALS seems to lead to an intensive caregiving situation with multiple needs emerging in a short period. This study offers targets for the development of supportive interventions. A proactive approach seems essential, acknowledging the importance of the role of the caregivers in the care process at an early stage, informing them about the risk of burden, monitoring their wellbeing, and repeatedly offering support opportunities. Using e-health may help tailor interventions to the caregivers’ support needs.