AI Article Synopsis

  • The study investigates what cancer patients need to feel prepared for end-of-life (EOL) care, as this can impact important clinical outcomes.
  • Six key themes were identified from interviews with patients, including EOL planning, communication with healthcare providers, relationships with family and friends, emotional and spiritual well-being, and financial considerations.
  • The findings suggest that patient-centered interventions should address a wider range of concerns related to preparedness than previously recognized.

Article Abstract

Purpose: The extent to which patients feel prepared for end-of-life (EOL) may be associated with important clinical outcomes. Despite growing interest in the concept of "preparedness," however, there is insufficient information about what cancer patients actually need to feel prepared. Such information is foundational for patient-centered care, theory-building, and instrument development.

Design: This qualitative study examined patient perspectives regarding preparedness for EOL care.

Participants And Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with patients with advanced malignancies and limited life expectancies. Participants were drawn from a large academic cancer center and had a diverse range of malignancies. Thematic text analysis was used to analyze the data.

Findings: Six overarching themes emerged. These included readiness to manage concerns about: (1) EOL planning (e.g., goals of care, location of care); (2) interactions with healthcare providers (e.g., communication, symptom control); (3) interactions with family/friends (e.g., perceived burden, support); (4) emotional well-being (e.g., existential distress, fulfillment); (5) spiritual well-being (e.g., spiritual comfort, congregational support); and (6) financial well-being (e.g., medical expenses, estate planning).

Conclusions: Findings highlight areas that patients themselves regard as critical for a sense of preparedness for EOL care. Participants emphasized broader concerns than those previously construed as facets of patient preparedness, and these domains offer modifiable targets for intervention.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07347332.2018.1466845DOI Listing

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