Dissertation
Implementation of the COMFORT Communication Model for Improved Mental Outcomes Among Informal Caregivers of Hospice Patients
University of Iowa
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), University of Iowa
Spring 2025
Abstract
Background: More than one in five people in the United States care for a loved one at the end of life. Many people receiving end-of-life (EoL) care prefer to stay at home as long as possible. Approximately 70% of patients receiving EoL care in the United States live at home. The caregiving responsibilities are then assumed by the patient s family and friends, or informal caregivers. The mental health of informal caregivers is often overlooked due to insufficient communication and barriers with hospice staff. Providing hospice staff with additional education in communication skills geared toward the families and informal caregivers of people at the end-of-life can lead to better care and improved patient outcomes. The COMFORT Communication Model includes seven principles of effective communication and is based on a narrative nursing approach. Purpose: To improve the mental health outcomes of informal caregivers. Methods: The IRB deemed this project not human subjects research. The model used was the Iowa Model for Evidence-Based Practice. The project took place over 6 months within a Midwest hospice organization. The participants included the 14 hospice staff and six hospice informal caregivers. Findings: The hospice staff were provided the COMFORT Communication Model training in person on two separate occasions, with 14 out of 15, or 94%, completing the training. According to the results of the pre- and post-confidence surveys, the hospice staff s confidence in discussing end-of-life care increased by 18% after they received the COMFORT Communication Model training. Two out of three informal caregivers reported decreased anxiety after the staff finished the training. Discussion: The COMFORT Communication Model is an effective tool to assist hospice staff in alleviating the burden of informal caregivers through improved communication about end-of-life care. Despite a poor return rate, participating informal caregivers reported decreased anxiety. This project highlighted both the need and impact we can make in supporting the mental health of informal caregivers.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Implementation of the COMFORT Communication Model for Improved Mental Outcomes Among Informal Caregivers of Hospice Patients
- Creators
- Katy Erickson - University of Iowa
- Contributors
- Emily Sinnwell (Chair) - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Project Type
- Poster
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Date degree season
- Spring 2025
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- Number of pages
- 1 page
- Copyright
- Copyright 2025 Katy Erickson
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Nursing; Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects
- Record Identifier
- 9984841527302771
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