Do physicians discuss end-of-life decisions with family members? A mortality follow-back study

PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING

卷:101

Article

Vermorgen, Maarten^1,2  De Vleminck, Aline^1,2  Deliens, Luc^1,2,3  Houttekier, Dirk^1,2  Spruytte, Nele⁴  Van Audenhove, Chantal⁴  Cohen, Joachim^1,2  Chambaere, Kenneth^1,2 

[1] VUB, End Of Life Care Res Grp, Brussels, Belgium

[2] Univ Ghent, Brussels, Belgium

[3] Ghent Univ Hosp, Dept Med Oncol, Ghent, Belgium

[4] Univ Leuven, LUCAS Ctr Care Res & Consultancy, Leuven, Belgium

关键词: End of life;    Informal caregivers;    Family caregivers;    Palliative care;    Decision-making;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.pec.2018.03.004

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

Objective: Deaths from chronic illness are often preceded by a potentially life-shortening end-of-life decision (ELD). Involving family in these ELDs may have psychosocial benefits for them and the dying person. This study aims to examine how often ELDs are discussed with relatives of the dying person and which characteristics determine their involvement in those ELDs. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted in 2013 among physicians attending a large, stratified and representative sample of deaths (n = 6188) in Flanders. Results: In 72.3% of ELDs preceding death, family of the dying person were involved. Discussion of an ELD with family members was more likely when the decision was also discussed with the dying person, the ELD was made with the explicit intention to shorten life, specialized palliative care was provided or death occurred in an ICU. Conclusions: Involving family in end-of-life decision making appears to be related to the type of formal care services involved, communication with the dying person and the motives behind the decision. Practice implications: Our findings suggest a need to further expand a palliative care approach with a focus on both the dying person and their family within and across a variety of health care services. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

【 授权许可】

Free