scholarly journals Promoting high quality care for all at the end of life: review of NHS National End of Life Care Programme 2004–2007 and implications for primary care

2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-101
Author(s):  
Claire Henry ◽  
Anita Hayes
2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 453-459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara G. McCleskey ◽  
Cindy L. Cain

Background: While disparities in end-of-life care have been well-documented, explanations for the persistence of disparities are less clear. This study sought to examine diverse perceptions of end-of-life care, especially regarding how medical professionals can better serve all populations. Objective: To investigate similarities and differences in end-of-life care preferences, across racial and ethnic groups. Design: This work consists of a qualitative study utilizing in-depth focus group discussions. Setting/Participants: Six community-based focus groups were conducted with a total of 39 participants. Two groups were composed of African American participants, 2 had Latino participants, and 2 groups had white participants. Results: Analysis produced 3 major themes: (1) clear, comprehensive, and culturally relevant provider–patient communication regarding serious illness; (2) provider characteristics and competency; and (3) health system supports and barriers. Although all groups had individuals who expressed a strong preference for direct communication, individuals varied within groups. All groups discussed concerns that the costs of care are high and that financial considerations are given more importance than high-quality care. Groups diverged in their focus on provider characteristics and feelings of marginalization. African American and Latino groups emphasized a desire to match characteristics with providers, and African American groups discussed that their marginalization in the health-care system requires hypervigilance to receive high-quality care. Conclusions: Improvements in care would come from acknowledging diversity within groups, provider demonstration of comfort and competence, more effective care coordination, and recruitment of providers who share similar characteristics with the communities they serve.


2019 ◽  

Healthcare at an advanced age and at the end of one’s life is increasingly characterised by an entrepreneurial spirit, which in turn is guided by economic principles. It remains questionable whether organising the end of one’s life based on efficiency criteria leaves sufficient room for personal encounters and individualism. As indisputable as the significance of high-quality care is, especially at the end of someone’s life, the constant progression of technological advancement and economisation in dealing with death and dying is nevertheless endangered by the dominance of ‘instrumental reason’, which often leaves little room for holistic and individual approaches. The contributions to this volume explore ethical and existential realities at the end of a life and economic rationalities in providing end-of-life care. With contributions by Stefan Dinges, Angelika Feichtner, Gerald Gredinger, Olivia Kada, Franz Küberl, Christian Lagger, Claudia Lohr, Sylvia Reitter-Pfoertner, Corinna Schmohl, Patrick Schuchter, Willibald J. Stronegger, Christine Trischak Preface: Willibald J. Stronegger und Kristin Attems


Author(s):  
Gavin G. Lavery ◽  
Linda-Jayne Mottram

Low morale, stress, and burnout are significant and under-recognized in critical care staff. The link between these conditions is complex and not fully only understood with burnout as a potential end result. Conflict and lack of clear protocols regarding end-of-life care appear to be particularly prone to generate stress and potentially burnout. We have little scientific basis to design interventions, but expert opinion suggests multiple approaches at individual, departmental, and organizational levels. Many are based on giving workers a degree of control and flexibility where possible, and a feeling that their contribution is valuable and valued. Engagement (with an organization and its aims) is now viewed as the antithesis of burnout and only staff who are engaged can deliver high quality care. It is increasingly recognized that organizations that actively manage staff welfare are more likely to provide care that is safe, effective, and patient-centred, and less likely to error and adverse events.


Praxis ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 110 (15) ◽  
pp. 902-906
Author(s):  
Tanja Fusi-Schmidhauser

Abstract. Patients with advanced COPD have a high symptom burden that is often multidimensional. Identification of patients who might benefit from palliative care through validated identification tools, multidimensional symptom management, and timely discussion of advance planning are elements of a palliative care approach for these patients and their families. Coordination among stakeholders providing care and support to these patients is central to ensuring high-quality care and meeting all of their needs.


2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy Ellen Selman ◽  
Lisa Jane Brighton ◽  
Vicky Robinson ◽  
Rob George ◽  
Shaheen A. Khan ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark R. Litzow ◽  
Thomas W. LeBlanc

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. e874-e880 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily E. Johnston ◽  
Abby R. Rosenberg ◽  
Arif H. Kamal

We must ensure that the 20,000 US children (age 0 to 19 years) who die as a result of serious illness annually receive high-quality end-of-life care. Ensuring high-quality end-of-life care requires recognition that pediatric end-of-life care is conceptually and operationally different than that for adults. For example, in-hospital adult death is considered an outcome to be avoided, whereas many pediatric families may prefer hospital death. Because pediatric deaths are comparatively rare, not all centers offer pediatric-focused palliative care and hospice services. The unique psychosocial issues facing families who are losing a child include challenges for parent decision makers and young siblings. Furthermore, the focus on advance directive documentation in adult care may be less relevant in pediatrics because parental decision makers are available. Health care quality measures provide a framework for tracking the care provided and aid in agency and provider accountability, reimbursement, and educated patient choice for location of care. The National Quality Forum, Joint Commission, and other groups have developed several end-of-life measures. However, none of the current quality measures focus on the unique needs of dying pediatric patients and their caregivers. To evolve the existing infrastructure to better measure and report quality pediatric end-of-life care, we propose two changes. First, we outline how existing adult quality measures may be modified to better address pediatric end-of-life care. Second, we suggest the formation of a pediatric quality measure end-of-life task force. These are the next steps to evolving end-of-life quality measures to better fit the needs of seriously ill children.


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. e024662 ◽  
Author(s):  
Woan Shin Tan ◽  
Ram Bajpai ◽  
Andy Hau Yan Ho ◽  
Chan Kee Low ◽  
Josip Car

ObjectiveTo describe the end-of-life care preferences of individuals, and to examine the influence of age and gender on these preferences.Design, setting and participantsA retrospective cohort study was conducted. Participants included all adults (≥21 years old) (n=3380) who had completed a statement of their preferences as part of a national Advance Care Planning (ACP) programme in Singapore. Data were extracted from the national and Tan Tock Seng Hospital ACP database.Main measuresEnd-of-life care preferences were obtained from the ACP document and differentiated by health status (healthy, chronically ill or diagnosed with advanced illnesses). To analyse the data, descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were used.ResultsAcross healthy and chronically ill patients, the majority did not opt for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or other life-sustaining measures. Among individuals with advanced illnesses, 94% preferred not to attempt CPR but 69% still preferred to receive some form of active medical treatment. Approximately 40% chose to be cared for, and to die at home. Age and sex significantly predict preferences in those with advanced illnesses. Older age (>=75 years) showed higher odds for home as preferred place of care (OR 1.52; 95% CI 1.23 to 1.89) and place of death (OR 1.29; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.61) and lower odds for CPR (OR 0.31; 95% CI 0.18 to 0.54) and full treatment (OR 0.32; 95% CI 0.17 to 0.62). Being female was associated with lower odds for home as preferred place of care (OR 0.69; 95% CI 0.57 to 0.84) and place of death (OR 0.70; 95% CI 0.57 to 0.85) and higher odds for full treatment (OR 2.35; 95% CI 1.18 to 4.68).ConclusionThe majority preferred to not proceed with life-sustaining treatments, but there was still a strong preference to receive some form of limited treatment. Better understanding of end-of-life care preferences through ACP can better guide end-of-life care programme planning, and resource allocation decisions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S668-S668
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A Luth ◽  
Teja Pristavec

Abstract End-of-life care quality (EOLCQ) gauges our success in providing quality care to dying individuals. EOLQC measures rely on reports from bereaved family members who provide care for dying loved ones, but analyses seldom account for how caregivers’ experiences influence their EOLCQ perceptions. Caregivers frequently experience burden, which is linked to poor health outcomes and may negatively bias EOLCQ reports. Individuals may also perceive caregiving benefits that can offset deleterious burden effects, but potentially encourage overly positive EOLCQ perceptions. This paper links National Study of Caregivers (2011) and National Health and Aging Trends Study (2011-2016) data, using regression analysis and a sample of 380 EOL caregivers to examine how caregiving burden and benefits perceptions shape and moderate EOLCQ reports. Caregiving burden is unrelated to EOLCQ in adjusted models. Benefits are associated with marginally greater odds of being informed about the dying person’s condition and reporting their personal care needs were met. Burden and benefits moderate these two measures. Despite benefits, low burden caregivers report they were informed about the dying person’s condition with 90% probability. Regardless of burden, high benefits caregivers report the same with 90% probability. Low burden and benefits caregivers report met care needs with 90% probability. High burden and benefits caregivers have 90% probability of such reports. Given these reports are used in formal hospice care evaluations by CMS, additional research should explore why caregiving burden and benefit are associated with some EOLCQ measures and why individuals reporting high burden and benefits provide more positive EOLCQ appraisals.


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