Research Showcase Abstracts
Explore abstracts from CFDR’s annual research showcase at the DC Conference.
Year
2022
Category
Research
Language
English
Names, Organizational Affiliations, and Locations of all Authors (2022 and Later)
L.Back 1, C. Lengyel1
1 Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB
1 Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB
Title
Health Care Provider Perspectives during COVID-19 on Nutrition at End-of-Life in Long-Term Care
Introduction/Purpose
Healthcare providers (HCP) find opportunities for end-of-life discussions difficult in long-term care (LTC). Poor communication surrounding anticipated decline may result in unwanted interventions for residents and leave substitute decision makers (SDM) feeling unsupported during the dying process. COVID-19 may further complicate the end-of- life experiences of many residents.
Objective(s)/Process or Summary of Content
Examine EOL nutrition-related perspectives of HCPs in Canadian LTC homes during COVID-19.
Method(s)/Systemic Approach Used
Using Qualtrics, an online survey was sent to long-term care HCPs using purposive and snowball sampling from April 21 to September 16, 2021. 70 completed surveys were analyzed (100% Female; avg age=40.8 years). Information on COVID-19 and nutrition at end-of-life conversation delivery, timing and team-member involvement, HCP comfort-level with, and reasons for end-of-life conversations was collected.
Results/Conclusions
Respondents included registered dietitians (n=57;83%), nurses (n=7;10%), speech language pathologists, social workers, occupational therapists (n=3;4%) and administrators (n=2;3%). During COVID-19, HCPs indicated nutrition at end-of-life conversations were primarily delivered by phone (n=48;57.1%), timing was unchanged (n=56; 9.4%), team member involvement was unchanged (n=56;82.1%). HCPs noted an increase in SDM-initiated conversations (n=16;28.1%) or no change (n=13;22.8%). HCPs indicated moderately-high confidence levels with nutrition at end-of-life conversations with residents, families, or SDMs (n=18;31%). However, HCPs felt conversations about nutrition at end-of-life were moderately more stressful (n=19;32.8%) or very stressful (n=1;22.4%) during COVID-19. HCPs indicated most end-of-life conversations occurred due to resident mental health changes (n=26;33.7%), and due to nutrition-related COVID-19 symptoms (n=18;23.4%).
Conclusions(s)/Recommendations
During COVID-19, government restrictions impacting family presence, increases in resident decline due to COVID-19 impacts, lack of change in timing and team member involvement in end-of-life conversations may have resulted in increased HCP stress. Furthermore, communication changes during COVID-19 may have resulted in unwanted interventions for residents.
Significance to Dietetics
Provides baseline knowledge of current end-of-life practices within the context of COVID-19 in Canadian LTC homes.
Funded by
Riverview Health Centre
