Discrepancies in preferences regarding the care of terminal-phase pneumonia in elderly patients among patients, families, and doctors: A multicenter questionnaire survey in nagasaki, Japan.

Background: Before advance care planning, it is essential to understand the differences in preferences for medical care of terminal-phase pneumonia in elderly patients among the patients, their families, and their doctors. This study aimed to clarify these differences and investigate the actual care provided to elderly patients with pneumonia in nursing hospitals.

Methods: Multicenter questionnaire surveys of 179 patients admitted to nursing homes and long-term care beds in hospitals of three healthcare corporations, their families, and their physicians were conducted between January and August 2018.