Uncertainty and Communication Preferences Among Patients Undergoing Lung Transplant Evaluation: A Mixed-Methods Study

Objective

Higher uncertainty is associated with poorer quality of life and may be impacted by clinician communication about the future. We determined how patients undergoing lung transplant evaluation experience uncertainty and communication about the future from clinicians.

Methods

We performed a convergent parallel mixed-methods study using a cross-sectional survey and semistructured interviews. Patients undergoing lung transplant evaluation at the University of Colorado and the University of Washington answered questions about future communication and completed the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale-Adult (MUIS-A; range 33–165, higher scores indicate more uncertainty). Interviews were analyzed using content analysis. Integration of survey and interview results occurred during data interpretation.

Results

A total of 101 patients completed the survey (response rate: 47%). Twelve survey participants completed interviews. In the survey, most patients identified changing family roles as important (76%), which was infrequently discussed with clinicians (31%). Most patients (86%) worried about the quality of their life in the future, and 74% said that not knowing what to expect in the future prevented them from making plans. The mean MUIS-A score was 85.5 (standard deviation 15.3). Interviews revealed three themes: (1) uncertainty of the future distresses participants; (2) participants want practical information from clinicians; and (3) communication preferences vary among participants.

Conclusion

Participants experienced distressing uncertainty and wanted information about the future. Communication topics that were important to participants were not always addressed by physicians. Clinicians should address how chronic lung disease and lung transplant can directly impact patients’ lives and support patients to cope with uncertainty.