Browsing by Author "Ivy, Steven"

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    The Association of Surrogate Decision Makers’ Religious and Spiritual Beliefs with End of Life Decisions
    (Elsevier, 2020-02) Torke, Alexia M.; Fitchett, George; Maiko, Saneta; Burke, Emily S.; Slaven, James E.; Newton Watson, Beth; Ivy, Steven; Monahan, Patrick O.; Biostatistics, School of Public Health
    Context: Although religion and spirituality are important to surrogate decision makers, little is known about the role of religion in decision making regarding life-sustaining treatments. Objectives: To determine the relationships between dimensions of religion and spirituality and medical treatment decisions made by surrogates. Methods: This prospective observational study enrolled patient/surrogate dyads from three hospitals in one metropolitan area. Eligible patients were 65 years or older and admitted to the medicine or medical intensive care services. Baseline surveys between hospital days 2 and 10 assessed seven dimensions of religion and spirituality. Chart reviews of the electronic medical record and regional health information exchange six months after enrollment identified the use of life-sustaining treatments and hospice for patients who died. Results: There were 291 patient/surrogate dyads. When adjusting for other religious dimensions, demographic, and illness factors, only surrogates' belief in miracles was significantly associated with a lower surrogate preference for do-not-resuscitate status (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.39; 95% CI 0.19, 0.78). Among patients who died, higher surrogate intrinsic religiosity was associated with lower patient receipt of life-sustaining treatments within the last 30 days (aOR 0.66; 95% CI 0.45, 0.97). Belief in miracles (aOR 0.30; 95% CI 0.10, 0.96) and higher intrinsic religiosity (aOR 0.70; 95% CI 0.53, 0.93) were associated with lower hospice utilization. Conclusion: Few religious variables are associated with end-of-life preferences or treatment. Belief in miracles and intrinsic religiosity may affect treatment and should be identified and explored with surrogates by trained chaplains or other clinicians with appropriate training.
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    Liver Allocation to Non-Citizen Non-Residents: An Ethical Framework for a Last-In-Line Approach
    (Wiley, 2016-06) Hartsock, Jane A.; Ivy, Steven; Helft, Paul R.; Department of Medicine, IU School of Medicine
    The incidence of non-U.S. citizen non-U.S. resident patients coming to the United States specifically for deceased donor liver transplantation raises compelling ethical questions that require careful consideration. The inclusion of these often financially and/or socially privileged patients in the pool of potential candidates for an absolutely scarce and life-saving liver transplant may exacerbate disparities already existing in deceased donor liver allocation. In addition, their inclusion on organ transplant waiting lists conflicts with recognized ethical principles of justice and reciprocity. Moreover, preliminary data suggest that public awareness of this practice could discourage organ donation, thereby worsening an already profound supply–demand gulf. Finally, U.S. organ allocation policies and statutes are out of step with recently promulgated international transplant guidelines, which prioritize self-sufficiency of organ programs. This article analyzes each of these ethical conflicts within the context of deceased donor liver transplantation and recommends policy changes that align the United States with international practices that discourage this scenario.
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    Spiritual and Religious Coping of Medical Decision Makers for Hospitalized Older Adult Patients
    (Liebert, 2019-04) Maiko, Saneta M.; Ivy, Steven; Watson, Beth Newton; Montz, Kianna; Torke, Alexia M.; Medicine, School of Medicine
    Background: Critically ill adult patients who face medical decisions often delegate others to make important decisions. Those who are authorized to make such decisions are typically family members, friends, or legally authorized representatives, often referred to as surrogates. Making medical decisions on behalf of others produces emotional distress. Spirituality and/or religion provide significant assistance to cope with this distress. We designed this study to assess the role of surrogates' spirituality and religion (S/R) coping resources during and after making medical decisions on behalf of critically ill patients. The study's aim was to understand the role that S/R resources play in coping with the lived experiences and challenges of being a surrogate. Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted with 46 surrogates by trained interviewers. These were audio-recorded and transcribed by research staff. Three investigators conducted a thematic analysis of the transcribed interviews. The codes from inter-rater findings were analyzed, and comparisons were made to ensure consistency. Results: The majority (67%) of surrogates endorsed belief in God and a personal practice of religion. Five themes emerged in this study. Personal prayer was demonstrated as the most important coping resource among surrogates who were religious. Trusting in God to be in charge or to provide guidance was also commonly expressed. Supportive relationships from family, friends, and coworkers emerged as a coping resource for all surrogates. Religious and nonreligious surrogates endorsed coping strategies such as painting, coloring, silent reflection, music, recreation, and reading. Some surrogates also shared personal experiences that were transformative as they cared for their ill patients. Conclusion: We conclude that surrogates use several S/R and other resources to cope with stress when making decisions for critically ill adult patients. The coping resources identified in this study may guide professional chaplains and other care providers to design a patient-based and outcome-oriented intervention to reduce surrogate stress, improve communication, increase patient and surrogate satisfaction, and increase surrogate integration in patient care. We recommend ensuring that surrogates have S/R resources actively engaged in making medical decisions. Chaplains should be involved before, during, and after medical decision making to assess and address surrogate stress. An interventional research-design project to assess the effect of spiritual care on surrogate coping before, during, and after medical decision making is also recommended.