Abstract
As older adults approach the end‐of‐life (EOL), many are faced with complex decisions including whether to use medical advances to prolong life. Limited information exists on the priorities of older adults at the EOL.
Objective
This study aimed to explore patient and family experiences and identify factors deemed important to quality EOL care.
Method
A descriptive qualitative study involving three focus group discussions (n = 18) and six in‐depth interviews with older adults suffering from either a terminal condition and/or caregivers were conducted in NSW, Australia. Data were analysed thematically.
Results
Seven major themes were identified as follows: quality as a priority, sense of control, life on hold, need for health system support, being at home, talking about death and competent and caring health professionals. An underpinning priority throughout the seven themes was knowing and adhering to patient's wishes.
Conclusion
Our study highlights that to better adhere to EOL patient's wishes a reorganization of care needs is required. The readiness of the health system to cater for this expectation is questionable as real choices may not be available in acute hospital settings. With an ageing population, a reorganization of care which influences the way we manage terminal patients is required.
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Health Expectations |
| Early online date | 6 Jan 2019 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 6 Jan 2019 |
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End-of-life priorities of older adults with terminal illness and caregivers: A qualitative consultation. / Lewis, Ebony T.; Harrison, Reema; Hanly, Laura; Psirides, Alex; Zammit, Alexandra; McFarland, Kathryn; Dawson, Angela; Hillman, Ken; Barr, Margo; Cardona, Magnolia.
In: Health Expectations, 06.01.2019.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - End-of-life priorities of older adults with terminal illness and caregivers: A qualitative consultation
AU - Lewis, Ebony T.
AU - Harrison, Reema
AU - Hanly, Laura
AU - Psirides, Alex
AU - Zammit, Alexandra
AU - McFarland, Kathryn
AU - Dawson, Angela
AU - Hillman, Ken
AU - Barr, Margo
AU - Cardona, Magnolia
PY - 2019/1/6
Y1 - 2019/1/6
N2 - BackgroundAs older adults approach the end‐of‐life (EOL), many are faced with complex decisions including whether to use medical advances to prolong life. Limited information exists on the priorities of older adults at the EOL.ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore patient and family experiences and identify factors deemed important to quality EOL care.MethodA descriptive qualitative study involving three focus group discussions (n = 18) and six in‐depth interviews with older adults suffering from either a terminal condition and/or caregivers were conducted in NSW, Australia. Data were analysed thematically.ResultsSeven major themes were identified as follows: quality as a priority, sense of control, life on hold, need for health system support, being at home, talking about death and competent and caring health professionals. An underpinning priority throughout the seven themes was knowing and adhering to patient's wishes.ConclusionOur study highlights that to better adhere to EOL patient's wishes a reorganization of care needs is required. The readiness of the health system to cater for this expectation is questionable as real choices may not be available in acute hospital settings. With an ageing population, a reorganization of care which influences the way we manage terminal patients is required.
AB - BackgroundAs older adults approach the end‐of‐life (EOL), many are faced with complex decisions including whether to use medical advances to prolong life. Limited information exists on the priorities of older adults at the EOL.ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore patient and family experiences and identify factors deemed important to quality EOL care.MethodA descriptive qualitative study involving three focus group discussions (n = 18) and six in‐depth interviews with older adults suffering from either a terminal condition and/or caregivers were conducted in NSW, Australia. Data were analysed thematically.ResultsSeven major themes were identified as follows: quality as a priority, sense of control, life on hold, need for health system support, being at home, talking about death and competent and caring health professionals. An underpinning priority throughout the seven themes was knowing and adhering to patient's wishes.ConclusionOur study highlights that to better adhere to EOL patient's wishes a reorganization of care needs is required. The readiness of the health system to cater for this expectation is questionable as real choices may not be available in acute hospital settings. With an ageing population, a reorganization of care which influences the way we manage terminal patients is required.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85059648880&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/hex.12860
DO - 10.1111/hex.12860
M3 - Article
JO - Health Expectations
T2 - Health Expectations
JF - Health Expectations
SN - 1369-6513
ER -