Learning Center
Psychological Impact of Vascular Access Devices in Patients Receiving Home Parenteral Nutrition: A Mixed-Methods Investigation [virtual]
Includes a Live Web Event on 04/13/2026 at 8:00 AM (EDT)
Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) requires long-term vascular access through central venous catheters or implanted ports. Recent meta-analytic evidence in young patients demonstrated significant psychological effects, including elevated anxiety, depression, and body image disturbances. However, lived experiences and coping strategies of adult HPN patients remain inadequately understood, limiting targeted psychosocial support development. This session will illustrate findings to inform targeted psychosocial screening tools and intervention protocols, contributing to evidence-based guidelines for interdisciplinary HPN care teams emphasizing psychological well-being alongside clinical management.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, learners will be able to:
- Identify the key psychological impacts of long-term vascular access devices in home parenteral nutrition patients, including anxiety, depression, body image disturbances, and social functioning concerns based on current meta-analytic evidence
- Assess patients for signs of psychological distress related to vascular access devices using evidence-based screening approaches and recognize when referral to mental health professionals is warranted
- Implement patient-centered communication strategies that address psychological concerns about vascular access devices, including techniques for discussing body image, lifestyle modifications, and coping strategies with HPN patients
- Develop individualized psychosocial support plans for HPN patients with vascular access devices, incorporating peer support resources, family education, and interdisciplinary collaboration to optimize psychological well-being and treatment adherence
Contact Hours: 1
CRNI® RUs: 2
Baudolino Mussa, MD, PhD
Cvc Team Director
Università di Torino
Baudolino Mussa, MD, PhD, is a Professor of Surgery and the Vascular Access Team Director at the University of Turin. He is the founder and past-President of the Italian Vascular Access Society (IVAS). For over 25 years, he has been a lead author on numerous international publications and an invited speaker at many national and international conferences on the development and responsibilities of vascular access teams in Europe, most recently at INS 2025 .
His career combines clinical excellence, research innovation, and educational leadership.
Dr Mussa’s most significant research contributions are in vascular access research, with landmark studies including analysis of 169,000+ catheter-days in cancer patients; safety studies of 100,000+ peripherally-inserted central catheters; and development of European vascular access guidelines. He has published 8 peer-reviewed articles in major journals, with a focus on large-scale clinical studies with an emphasis on patient safety and clinical outcomes.
As for clinical leadership, Dr Mussa performs 150+ surgical procedures annually; places approximately 800 vascular access devices yearly; and coordinates a team, managing 7,000+ patients annually.
Dr Mussa is President of the Italian Vascular Access Society, a member of the Multidisciplinary Advanced Course on Vascular Access (MACOVA) board, and a lead instructor for international training programs in Asia.
Dr Mussa’s work has significantly influenced clinical practice through evidence-based protocols, educational innovation, and quality improvement initiatives, establishing him as a key figure in vascular access medicine.
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