P032 Terminally Ill Cancer Patients’ and Family Caregivers’ Agreement on Patterns of Life-Sustaining Treatment Preferences Is Poor to Fair and Declines Over a Decade

Background: The Western individualistic understanding of autonomy for advance care planning is considered not to reflect the Asian family-centered approach in medical decision-making. The study aim is to compare preferences on timing for advance care planning initiatives and life-sustaining treatment withdrawal between terminally-ill cancer patients and their family caregivers in Taiwan. Methods: A prospective study using questionnaire survey was conducted with both terminally-ill cancer patient and their family caregiver dyads independently in inpatient and outpatient palliative care settings in a tertiary hospital in Northern Taiwan. Self-reported questionnaire using clinical scenario of incurable lung cancer was employed. Descriptive analysis was used for data analysis. Results: Fifty-four patients and family dyads were recruited from 1 August 2019 to 15 January 2020. Nearly 80% of patients and caregivers agreed that advance care planning should be conducted when the patient was at a non-frail stage of disease. Patients’ frail stage of disease was considered the indicator for life-sustaining treatments withdrawal except for nutrition and fluid supplements, antibiotics or blood transfusions. Patient dyads considered that advance care planning discussions were meaningful without arousing emotional distress. Conclusion: Patient dyads’ preferences on the timing of initiating advance care planning and life-sustaining treatments withdrawal were found to be consistent. Taiwanese people’s medical decision-making is heavily influenced by cultural characteristics including relational autonomy and filial piety. The findings could inform the clinical practice and policy in the wider Asia–Pacific region.

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Determinants of the burden and positivity of family caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients in Korea

Psycho-Oncology ◽

10.1002/pon.1893 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

pp. 282-290 ◽

Cited By ~ 54

Author(s):

Chang-Hae Park ◽

Dong Wook Shin ◽

Jin Young Choi ◽

Jina Kang ◽

Young Ji Baek ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cancer Patients ◽

Family Caregivers ◽

Terminally Ill ◽

Terminally Ill Cancer Patients

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Predictors of the Extent of Agreements between Terminally ill Cancer Patients and their Family Caregivers in Taiwan

Quality of Life Research ◽

10.1007/s11136-005-5800-5 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 15 (3) ◽

pp. 405-406

Author(s):

Morten Aa. Petersen ◽

Mogens Groenvold

Keyword(s):

Cancer Patients ◽

Family Caregivers ◽

Terminally Ill ◽

Terminally Ill Cancer Patients

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Challenges, personal growth and social support among family caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients in Southern China

Qualitative Social Work ◽

10.1177/1473325018755890 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 638-654

Author(s):

Yong Tang

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Family Caregivers ◽

Personal Growth ◽

Southern China ◽

Terminally Ill ◽

Daily Lives ◽

Terminally Ill Cancer Patients ◽

Individual Interviews ◽

Qualitative Thematic Analysis

The purpose of this study was to obtain a deeper understanding of the experiences of family caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients in Shenzhen, Southern China. This study sought to describe how being the main caregiver influences family caregivers’ daily lives. This article reports on the findings from individual interviews with 20 family caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients. The interview transcripts were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis, which revealed that caring for a cancer patient over the course of his or her illness significantly affected many aspects of family caregivers’ lives. Three major themes were identified in their experiences: (1) challenges, (2) personal growth, and (3) social support. In exploring these themes, this article offers insights into family caregivers’ experiences in Southern China, particularly among family members of terminally ill cancer patients and presents implications for future professional practice, especially oncology social work.

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