Browsing by Author "Reel, Candice Danelle"

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    Dignity During a Pandemic: Dignity Therapy Delivered Through Telehealth is not Feasible in the Deep South
    (University of Alabama Libraries, 2024) Reel, Candice Danelle; Allen, Rebecca S.
    As time is limited, creation of a legacy document, particularly when aided by a care partner, is an effective method of facilitating a sense of dignity. However, access to care has been a problem for many individuals enrolled in community dwelling hospice care. Providing Dignity Therapy, (DT) a short-term individualized psychotherapy intervention for those at end of life, via telehealth could be one possible response to address this lack of access. Enrollment in hospice is often late in the disease process, indicating a need for short term interventions and a consideration of hospice participant attrition rates. The current study examined feasibility and efficacy of a telehealth delivery of the DT protocol to community dwelling hospice patients and their care partners and investigated challenges associated with hospice research recruitment through semi-structured interviews with hospice staff. Results of feasibility showed three potential participants were recruited but none consented to participate. The results from the feasibility study precluded our ability to assess efficacy as planned. Seven members of the hospice staff completed qualitative interviews designed to understand the lack of feasibility of this study. Results identified four main themes that point to the value of the DT intervention, an overwhelming disapproval of telehealth delivery of interventions, a close consideration of research methods, and the need for future research to further the advancement and clinical use of this effective intervention, particularly in rural and underserved areas.