Quality end-of-life care: patients' perspectives.

Quality end-of-life care: patients' perspectives.

Title
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1999
AuthorsSinger PA, Martin DK, Kelner M
JournalJAMA
Volume281
Issue2
Pagination163-8
Date Published1999 Jan 13
ISSN0098-7484
KeywordsAdult, Advance Care Planning, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Communication, Decision Making, Female, HIV Infections, Humans, Kidney Failure, Chronic, Long-Term Care, Male, Middle Aged, Pain Management, Patient Advocacy, Patient Satisfaction, Qualitative Research, Quality of Life, Renal Dialysis, Research, Stress, Psychological, Terminal Care, Terminally Ill, Withholding Treatment
Abstract

CONTEXT: Quality end-of-life care is increasingly recognized as an ethical obligation of health care providers, both clinicians and organizations. However, this concept has not been examined from the perspective of patients.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and describe elements of quality end-of-life care from the patient's perspective.

DESIGN: Qualitative study using in-depth, open-ended, face-to-face interviews and content analysis.

SETTING: Toronto, Ontario.

PARTICIPANTS: A total of 126 participants from 3 patient groups: dialysis patients (n = 48), people with human immunodeficiency virus infection (n = 40), and residents of a long-term care facility (n = 38).

OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants' views on end-of-life issues.

RESULTS: Participants identified 5 domains of quality end-of-life care: receiving adequate pain and symptom management, avoiding inappropriate prolongation of dying, achieving a sense of control, relieving burden, and strengthening relationships with loved ones.

CONCLUSION: These domains, which characterize patients' perspectives on end-of-life care, can serve as focal points for improving the quality of end-of-life care.

Alternate JournalJAMA
PubMed ID9917120

Weill Cornell Medicine Center for Research on End-of-Life Care 525 E 68th St, Box 39,
1414 Baker Pavilion
New York, NY 10065