Improving Psychological Outcomes for Acute Respiratory Failure Survivors using a Self-Management Intervention

Project Summary (from parent award) An increasing number of adults in the U.S. develop acute respiratory failure (ARF) requiring mechanical ventilation in an intensive care unit (ICU). To improve patient outcomes, evidence-based guidelines recommend titrating sedatives to allow for patient wakefulness while in the ICU. However, among awake ARF patients, anxiety can be a common and long-lasting problem. Outside of the ICU setting, self-management interventions are established, evidence-based, first-line treatments for patients with anxiety. However, there is limited evidence about the feasibility and benefit of self-management interventions for ARF patients during hospitalization. Hence, this K23 proposal seeks to: 1) conduct a qualitative study in hospitalized patients to refine an existing Self-Management in Acute Respiratory Failure (SMARF) intervention (Aim 1), and 2) conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the refined SMARF intervention vs. usual care in the ICU and wards to establish its feasibility, acceptability (primary outcome; Aim 2a), and potential efficacy in reducing anxiety symptoms and associated outcomes at hospital discharge (Aim 2b) and at 3-month follow-up (secondary outcomes; Aim 3). Megan Hosey, PhD, a practicing clinical psychologist and Assistant Professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, has a long-term career goal of becoming an independent, patient-oriented researcher in acute respiratory failure, examining early interventions to reduce psychological symptoms and improve long- term functional outcomes. Through this K23 award, Dr. Hosey will achieve the following career goals: 1) gain expertise in qualitative research via didactic coursework and mentored practical experience, 2) deepen knowledge and experience in patient-oriented research by completing a Master of Health Science (MHS) degree in Clinical Investigation and conducting a pilot RCT, and 3) gain mentored experience with scientific publication and grant writing. This award will result in preliminary data and skills that will lay the foundation for a successful future R-level grant and pathway towards independent investigator status. This award will build upon Dr. Hosey’s extensive clinical expertise in self-management interventions for ARF patients and her research background in the psychosocial aspects of recovery from ARF via providing tailored didactic training and mentored research experience with a world-class team, all occurring in a resource-rich academic environment.