The I-CoPE Study: An Innovative Model to Support Patients with Glioma and their Carers across Key Care Transitions
Aim
People diagnosed with a high-grade brain tumour face a poor prognosis and negotiate profound, and often devastating physical, cognitive and behavioural changes from an early stage of their illness. Families are frequently required to provide care for patients in the community, yet access to support is limited. This study aims to conduct a pilot implementation and evaluation of an innovative model, ‘I-CoPE’, designed to support patients and their carers through transitions of care. I-CoPE involves the provision of Information, Coordination, Preparation and Emotional support over 3 key identified care transitions in the months following a new diagnosis. The study aims to collect key patient and carer outcome and health service utilisation data to assess the effectiveness of this model.
Outcomes
This study demonstrated that an approach of building palliative care engagement at particular designated points in the illness course provides a means of enhancing patient and family caregiver support, improving end of life care and reducing health care costs for all Australians with progressive, eventually fatal illness.
The positive preliminary results of this pilot implementation of the I-CoPE model into a tertiary Australian neuro-oncology service - both in terms of feasibility and acceptability of the I-CoPE model, and short-term efficacy with improved patient and carer reported outcomes - show promise for further testing via a randomised controlled trial and the potential for broader dissemination.
Project Team
- Jennifer Philip, Centre for Palliative Care, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne
- Anna Collins , Centre for Palliative Care, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne
- Michelle Gold, Palliative Care, Alfred Health
- Caroline Brand, EpiCentre, Royal Melbourne Hospital
- Michael Murphy, Neurosurgery, St Vincent’s Hospital
- Vijaya Sundararajan, Department of Medicine, St Vincent’s Hospital & University of Melbourne
- Carrie Lethborg, Social Work, St Vincent’s Hospital
- Gaye Moore, Social Work, St Vincent’s Hospital
- Anthony Dowling, Medical Oncology, St Vincent’s Hospital
- Jane Staker, Social Work, St Vincent’s Hospital
Key Contact
Name: Anna Collins
Email: anna.collins@svha.org.au
Funding Source
The research was funded by the Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute, which is supported by a grant from the Australian Government Department of Health under the Primary Health Care Research, Evaluation and Development Strategy.
Key Publications
- Philip J & Collins A, on behalf of the I-CoPE Investigative Team. Pilot Implementation Study of I-CoPE. July 2014. Centre for Palliative Care: Melbourne, Victoria.