Sharing End-of-Life Care Preferences with Family Members: Who Has the Discussion and Who Does Not.
J Palliat Med
; 21(4): 463-472, 2018 04.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29189085
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Research suggests that greater engagement in family discussions concerning end-of-life (EOL) care preferences could improve advance care planning and EOL outcomes. However, a substantial number of people have not had such discussions.OBJECTIVE:
The study's objective was to understand attitudes and experiences influencing engagement in discussions of EOL care preferences with family members, including the role of healthcare providers in such discussions.METHODS:
We conducted focus group interviews with 36 non-Hispanic White, African American, and Hispanic community-dwelling participants. Participants were divided among groups to explore differences between those who had or had not engaged in EOL care discussions. Atlas.ti version 7 was used to analyze data employing an open-coding method.RESULTS:
Participants' mean age was 70 (range 58-87); three-fourths were female (n = 27). Twenty were white, non-Hispanic; 10 were African American; and 6 were Hispanic. Four themes emerged from the data, (1) being proactive or passive/reactive; (2) perceiving discussion of death as normal or abnormal; (3) response to family resistance/disconnection; and (4) knowledge acquired. A fifth theme, the role of healthcare providers in family EOL care discussions, resulted from facilitators' questions. Theme examination led to identification of a central category, decision-making.CONCLUSIONS:
It is important to understand the differing experiences and attitudes of those who do or do not engage in EOL discussions. Research is needed on healthcare practitioners' use of decision-making tools to help patients discuss their EOL care preferences with family and others, the goal of which is to provide care consistent with patients' goals.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Relações Profissional-Família
/
Assistência Terminal
/
Família
/
Planejamento Antecipado de Cuidados
Tipo de estudo:
Qualitative_research
Aspecto:
Patient_preference
Limite:
Aged
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Aged80
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Palliat Med
Assunto da revista:
SERVICOS DE SAUDE
Ano de publicação:
2018
Tipo de documento:
Article