Adaptation of Serious Illness Care Program to be Delivered via Telehealth for Older Patients with Hematologic Malignancy

Older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) experience intense inpatient healthcare at the end-of-life (EOL) . Early advance care planning (ACP) may improve care at EOL for patients with AML and MDS. The Serious Illness Care Program (SICP) is a multicomponent, communication intervention developed to improve conversations about values for patients with serious illnesses. The SICP has been shown to improve the quality and frequency of ACP discussions. We adapted the SICP for delivery via telehealth to older patients with AML and MDS. We conducted a single-center qualitative study of 45 participants (25 clinicians, 15 older patients with AML and MDS, and 5 caregivers). Participants, whether clinicians, patients, or caregivers, agreed that the SICP would help older patients with AML and MDS to share their personal values with their care team. Four qualitative themes emerged from our data: 1) Serious illness conversations can be conducted via telehealth, 2) Older patients have limited experience using technology but are willing and able to learn, 3) Patients feel that serious illness conversations will help them understand their AML or MDS diagnosis and prognosis better, and 4) Serious illness conversations should be common and routine, not extra-ordinary. The adapted SICP may provide older patients with AML and MDS an opportunity to share what matters most to them with their care team and may assist oncologists in aligning patient care with patient values. The adapted SICP is the subject of an ongoing single-arm pilot study at the Wilmot Cancer Institute.