Digital assets should be included in advance care planning discussions for patients receiving palliative care

Commentary on: Stanley S, Higginbotham K, Finucane A, Nwosu AC. A grounded theory study exploring palliative care healthcare professionals’ experiences of managing digital legacy as part of advance care planning for people receiving palliative care. Palliat Med. 2023 Oct;37(9):1424–1433. doi: 10.1177/02692163231194198. Epub 2023 Aug 23.

Implications for practice and research

Digital legacy could be incorporated into advance care planning policies in practice, with explicit inclusion in advance care planning documents.

Further research is required to explore the diverse facets of digital legacies within various patient populations and cultural backgrounds.

Context

The rapid growth of technology, including increased internet access and smartphone usage, has made digital legacy management an important aspect of end-of-life care. Digital legacy refers to the digital assets and online presence that individuals leave behind after they pass away.1 However, a study on healthcare professionals indicated that a significant majority...

Early rehabilitation of patients in the ICU may reduce long-term healthcare costs

Commentary on: Murooka Y, Sasabuchi Y, Takazawa T, Matsui H, Yasunaga H, Saito S. Long-Term Prognosis Following Early Rehabilitation in the ICU: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Crit Care Med. 2023 Mar 29. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000005862. Epub ahead of print.

Implications for practice and research

Rehabilitation programmes if introduced early after admissions to intensive care unit could be beneficial to patients and healthcare systems.

Prospective studies are needed to confirm the long-term impacts of early introduction of rehabilitation programmes on healthcare outcomes in terms of, quality of life and physical functions, the optimal timing, duration, and intensity of rehabilitation.

Context

Early rehabilitation is a promising treatment for postintensive care syndrome. Studies have demonstrated the benefits of rehabilitation, such as early exercise and mobilisation, which improve short-term physical and functional outcomes and reduce intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay durations for critically ill patients.1...

The lived experience of Omani adolescents and young adults with mental illness: A qualitative study

by Omar Al Omari, Gerald Amandu, Samir Al-Adawi, Zubaida Shebani, Ibtisam Al Harthy, Arwa Obeidat, Khloud Al Dameery, Mohammad Al Qadire, Iman Al Hashmi, Abduallh Al Khawldeh, Mohammed ALBashtawy, Maen Aljezawi

There is currently limited knowledge about the firsthand experiences of adolescents and young adults with mental health problems and the meanings they ascribe to these experiences, particularly within Arab countries. This study, therefore, aimed to explore the lived experience of Omani adolescents and young adults with a mental health problem. A sample of 15 participants aged 13–22 diagnosed with a range of mental health problems took part in the study. A qualitative interview guide consisting of open-ended questions was used to allow participants to speak in-depth about their experiences. Using the thematic analysis approach to uncover patterns in the data, three major themes emerged: “living in darkness”, “perilous journey” and “uncertain future”. Results show that the progress of adolescents and young adults with mental health problems is characterized by several challenges; the most significant of which is having insufficient knowledge about their illness, leading to unnecessary delays in their treatment. These findings shed light on the breadth and depth of the experience of adolescents and young adults with mental health problems and lay the groundwork for further examinations. Implications lie in the development of approaches for preventing or mitigating difficulties faced by adolescents and young adults with mental health problems.

Nurse-driven patient empowerment intervention reduces patients anxiety and depression during the discharge from critical care units

Commentary on: Cuzco C, Castro P, Marín Pérez R, Ruiz García S, Núñez Delgado AI, Romero García M, Martínez Momblan MA, Benito Aracil L, Carmona Delgado I, Canalias Reverter M, Nicolás JM, Martínez Estalella G, Delgado-Hito P. Impact of a Nurse-Driven Patient Empowerment Intervention on the Reduction in Patients' Anxiety and Depression During ICU Discharge: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Crit Care Med. 2022 Dec 1;50(12):1757-1767. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000005676. Epub 2022 Sep 30.

Implications for practice and research

Critical care nurses are advised to implement a nurse-driven patient empowerment intervention (NEI) in their daily practice to aid discharged patients.

The long-term effects of NEI on patients with varying diseases need further evaluation.

Context

Several studies have indicated that a significant proportion of patients who have been admitted or discharged from an intensive care unit (ICU) experienced high levels of anxiety and depression.1 2