Palliative Care and Intensivists' Different Perspectives on Specialist Palliative Care Engagement in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Care.

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> There is limited understanding of critical care (CC) and specialist palliative care (SPC) professionals' perceptions regarding the role and utility of SPC for patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> An 18-item survey was distributed via convenience sampling and snowballing strategies to CC and SPC attendings working with veno-venous ECMO patients. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A total of 75 surveys were completed. Many CC professionals indicated that SPC consultation was not routinely helpful (5% vs. 71%, <i>p</i> < 0.05). Responses varied on the appropriateness of discussing SPC with patients/families prognosis (81% SPC vs. 47% CC, <i>p</i> < 0.05), end-of-life preferences (100% vs. 62%, <i>p</i> < 0.05), goals of care (95% vs. 58%, <i>p</i> < 0.05), and code status (76% vs. 43%, <i>p</i> < 0.05). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Most respondents indicated that psychosocial support and multidisciplinary team collaborations were within the SPC scope. CC professionals were less likely to indicate that discussion of the care trajectory with patients/families was within SPC scope.