Zahra Arabi1 
, Arvin Mirshahi2 , Hosein Kazemi Zadeh3 , Shima Haghani4 , Anand Iyer5 , Rachel Wells6 , Marie Bakitas7 , Mehraban Shahmari8 , Arpi Manookian9
, Arvin Mirshahi2 , Hosein Kazemi Zadeh3 , Shima Haghani4 , Anand Iyer5 , Rachel Wells6 , Marie Bakitas7 , Mehraban Shahmari8 , Arpi Manookian9
1- Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2- Students’ Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Center for Palliative and Supportive Care, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
3- Department of Pulmonology, School of Medicine, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
4- Biostatistics Nursing Care Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
5- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
6- School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
7- Center for Palliative and Supportive Care, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America; Department of Medicine, School of Nursing, Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
8- Department of Medical‐Surgical, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
9- Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ,Manookianarpi@gmail.com
2- Students’ Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Center for Palliative and Supportive Care, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
3- Department of Pulmonology, School of Medicine, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
4- Biostatistics Nursing Care Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
5- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
6- School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
7- Center for Palliative and Supportive Care, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America; Department of Medicine, School of Nursing, Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
8- Department of Medical‐Surgical, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
9- Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ,
Abstract: (34 Views)
Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive, irreversible respiratory condition that imposes a significant physical and psychological burden, often leading to a poor quality of life. Although palliative care can help address these challenges, in Iran it is typically limited to cancer patients and is not commonly provided to those with COPD. Globally, the early integration of palliative care for chronic illnesses is expanding. The present study aims to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of an early tele-palliative care intervention for patients with COPD in Iran and to explore its potential effects on quality of life, anxiety, depression, and emergency department readmissions.
Methods: This randomized controlled feasibility trial protocol involves a 3-month early tele-palliative care program delivered by two nurse coaches, targeting patients with COPD. Participantswere randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n = 26) or the control group (n = 26) using permuted block randomization. Both groups received traditional COPD care; however, the intervention group also received six weekly telephone sessions and six weeks of follow-up support via phone call and WhatsApp Messenger. The primary objective was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of early tele-palliative care, measured through recruitment and attrition rates, questionnaire completion rates, patient satisfaction, attitudes toward the intervention, and adherence to the intervention. The secondary outcome included changes in quality of life, anxiety, depression, and hospital readmissions. These were measured using validated instruments at two time points: Baseline (pre-intervention) and three months post-intervention. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 22, including the independent samples t-test, paired samples t-test, chi-square test, and Fisher’s exact test. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to compare the mean outcomes between the two groups while statistically controlling for the effect of baseline values. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Conclusion: This study protocol aimed to determine the feasibility and acceptability of an early tele-palliative care intervention for patients with COPD in Iran. The findings provided essential data to inform the design of a future large-scale clinical trial and support the potential integration of early telehealth palliative care into standard COPD management in the country.
Methods: This randomized controlled feasibility trial protocol involves a 3-month early tele-palliative care program delivered by two nurse coaches, targeting patients with COPD. Participantswere randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n = 26) or the control group (n = 26) using permuted block randomization. Both groups received traditional COPD care; however, the intervention group also received six weekly telephone sessions and six weeks of follow-up support via phone call and WhatsApp Messenger. The primary objective was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of early tele-palliative care, measured through recruitment and attrition rates, questionnaire completion rates, patient satisfaction, attitudes toward the intervention, and adherence to the intervention. The secondary outcome included changes in quality of life, anxiety, depression, and hospital readmissions. These were measured using validated instruments at two time points: Baseline (pre-intervention) and three months post-intervention. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 22, including the independent samples t-test, paired samples t-test, chi-square test, and Fisher’s exact test. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to compare the mean outcomes between the two groups while statistically controlling for the effect of baseline values. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Conclusion: This study protocol aimed to determine the feasibility and acceptability of an early tele-palliative care intervention for patients with COPD in Iran. The findings provided essential data to inform the design of a future large-scale clinical trial and support the potential integration of early telehealth palliative care into standard COPD management in the country.
Keywords: Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive, Telehealth, Palliative care, Quality of life, Feasibility studies
Type of study: Original Article |
Subject:
Nursing
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