A review of biographical work in palliative care

Abstract

Aim:We find several interventions in palliative care to cover psychosocial needs and to relieve distress of patients. There is a growing interest in therapies using biographical approaches, but discussion about interventions is sparse, and there is no concept for comprehensive and sustainable provision. Research on interventions with a single biographical approach is available, but there is no systematic review that tests a range of interventions. Therefore, we look at all studies using biographical approaches for patients and/or caregivers.Methods:In May 2017, the electronic databases of Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, Central, and PsycINFO were searched for qualitative and quantitative empirical reports. Interventions for patients, dyads of patient and caregiver, and bereaved caregivers were included. Data analysis follows the guideline PRISMA.Results:Twenty-seven studies were included – 12 using a quantitative evaluation and 15 using a qualitative evaluation. Interventions using biographical approach are widespread and show broad variations in comprehension and performance. The scope of interest lays on patient and family in trajectory of illness and bereavement. The most common interventions used were life review, short life review, dignity therapy, and bereaved life review. Biographical approaches increase quality of life and spiritual well-being and reduce depression. Interventions show effects independently of the number of sessions or provider.Conclusions:Transferability of concepts seems limited due to the implications of culture on themes emerging in interventions. In some case, there were predicting factors for responders and nonresponders. Further research is needed.

Dignity-conserving care for persons with palliative care needs — identifying outcomes studied in research: An integrative review

“…Today, outcomes targeting dignity-conserving care need to be further explored and clarified. Previous reviews have focused on: dignity therapy (DT) and its effects (Fitchett et al, 2015; Donato et al, 2016; Martínez et al, 2017; Xiao et al, 2019), overviews of psychological/psychosocial interventions (Hulbert-Williams et al, 2018; Teo et al, 2018; von Blanckenburg and Leppin, 2018; Warth et al, 2019), evidence of existential interventions (Bauereiβ et al, 2018), interventions with biographical approaches (Hesse et al, 2019), personal narrative interventions (Roikjær et al, 2019), and death anxiety interventions (Grossman et al, 2018). These reviews did not have a clear focus on outcomes studied within dignity-conserving care, and without such overviews, it could be difficult to introduce this type of care within palliative care.…”

Patients’ priorities in a reminiscence and legacy intervention in palliative care

“…17 However, cultural factors seem to have a major influence on the topics patients prioritize. We conducted a systematic review 18 and found only one article about primary concerns of patients. It was a multisite study in Japan, Korea and America of Ando and colleagues 19 who found a broad range of concerns with major differences between countries.…”

Audiobooks from terminally ill parent for their children – a qualitative evaluation

“…In a review of biographical interventions in palliative care, we found several different approaches with written legacy documents [ 2 ]. However, there has been no research on oral legacy such as audiobooks.…”

“…A range of interventions has been described in palliative care to cover psychosocial needs and to relieve the distress of patients. There is a growing interest in biographical approaches with the creation of legacy documents, including interventions such as Dignity therapy, Life Review, or Reminiscing [ 2 ]. Biography interventions can offer a coping strategy with the creation of a life narrative and a legacy for the loved ones [ 3 ].…”