Otani, H., Morita, T., Uno, S., Yamamoto, R., Hirose, H., Matsubara, T., . . . Sasaki, K. (2014). Effect of leaflet-based intervention on family members of terminally ill patients with cancer having delirium: Historical control study. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, 31, 322–326.
To assess the effects of an informational leaflet about delirium on family-perceived distress, the need for improvement in professional care for delirium, and the knowledge about the causes of delirium in patients during the end of life
Palliative care practitioners distributed an informational leaflet on delirium as part of their routine care of patients. Families of patients who experienced delirium at the end of life were then contacted by mail six months after the patient had died to complete a questionnaire about their experience.
Single-arm, historical control
A questionnaire was developed for the study that measured family distress (single item), the need for improvements in professional care for delirium (single item), and knowledge of the causes of delirium (single item). A Likert-type scale was used for each question.
The intervention group had a better understanding of certain aspects of the causes of delirium (p < 0.001). No difference was reported between the historical control and intervention groups in terms of the levels of family-perceived distress or the need for improvement in professional care for delirium.
An educational leaflet may improve family members' knowledge and understanding about some of the causes of delirium at the end of life.
Written information about expected symptoms, such as delirium, may be helpful in increasing family members' knowledge.