Development of the conversation tool "I-HARP for COPD" for early identification of palliative care needs in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Objectives: This study aimed to develop the conversation tool "I-HARP for COPD" for timely identification of palliative care needs in Dutch patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: An iterative and participatory research design was used to develop "I-HARP for COPD". There were 2 phases to the development of "I-HARP for COPD": content development and testing.

Bereaved relatives' experiences during the incurable phase of cancer: a qualitative interview study.

Objective: To examine bereaved relatives' experiences from time of diagnosis of incurable cancer until death with specific emphasis on their role in the (end-of-life) decision-making concerning chemotherapy.

Design: Qualitative interview study.

Setting: Hospital-based.

The facilitating role of chemotherapy in the palliative phase of cancer: qualitative interviews with advanced cancer patients.

Objective: To explore the extent to which patients have a directing role in decisions about chemotherapy in the palliative phase of cancer and (want to) anticipate on the last stage of life.

Design: Qualitative interview study.

Methods: In depth-interviews with 15 patients with advanced colorectal or breast cancer at the medical oncology department in a Dutch teaching hospital; interviews were analysed following the principles of thematic content-analysis.