Good concordance between patients and their non-professional carers about factors associated with a ‘good death’ and other important end-of-life decisions

Abstract

When discussions around end-of-life choices do occur, carers generally appear to agree with the patients' preferences around end-of-life treatment, and preferred place of death.

Rural residents' perspectives on the rural ‘good death’: a scoping review

“…Locality was also identified as a critical element, with deaths and dying ideally to be connected with the rural/remote community. The literature increasingly reports that place of death is one measure of a contemporary 'good death' as supported by the majority of articles in this review; however as Biggs (2014) suggests, place is only one factor of importance and not necessarily the main one for all people (Hoare et al 2015, Davies et al 2016, Rainsford et al 2016). If it is not possible to die at home surrounded by family then it is important to die within the rural community.…”

“…Despite the challenges of rural definition, and notwithstanding differences in rural locations, cultural perspectives, priorities and expectations, this scoping review found similarities and differences in perspectives with those reported in urban studies. The four elements (physical, spiritual, emotional and social) considered essential by the WHO (2015) to facilitate a 'good death' were identified as pain/symptom control, dignity, preparedness, autonomy and community and are consistent with urban findings (Holdsworth 2015, Raisio et al 2015, Davies et al 2016, Meier et al 2016. However, the context and priority placed on each factor differed between included studies and from urban perspectives (Kirby et al 2016).…”

“…However, different stakeholders have different priorities and expectations of end‐of‐life care (EoLC) (Holdsworth , Davies et al . , Meier et al . ).…”

“…The common essential features of the modern 'good death' are thought to include being pain free, maintaining dignity, support of family, autonomy in decision-making for the dying person and opportunity to 'sort out personal affairs' (Raisio et al 2015, Davies et al 2016, Meier et al 2016. However, different stakeholders have different priorities and expectations of end-of-life care (EoLC) (Holdsworth 2015, Davies et al 2016, Meier et al 2016. Ideally, it must reflect the needs of the community and in particular those of the dying person and their carers (Cottrell & Duggleby 2016).…”

Do medical oncology patients and their support persons agree about end‐of‐life issues?

“…where patient wants to die). As choices at the end‐of‐life are complex and multi‐layered, agreement across the range of domains that can influence quality of death and dying, such as involvement in decision‐making, type and location of care, should be established …”