Dataset Information

Medical end-of-life practices among Canadian physicians: a pilot study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Medical end-of-life practices are hotly debated in Canada, and data from other countries are used to support arguments. The objective of this pilot study was twofold: to adapt and validate a questionnaire designed to measure the prevalence of these practices in Canada and the underlying decision-making process, and to assess the feasibility of a nationally representative study.

Methods

In phase 1, questionnaires from previous studies were adapted to the Canadian context through consultations with a multidisciplinary committee and based on a scoping review. The modified questionnaire was validated through cognitive interviews with 14 physicians from medical specialties associated with a higher probability of being involved with dying patients recruited by means of snowball sampling. In phase 2, we selected a stratified random sample of 300 Canadian physicians in active practice from a national medical directory and used the modified tailored method design for mail and Web surveys. There were 4 criteria for success: modified questions are clearly understood; response patterns for sensitive questions are similar to those for other questions; respondents are comparable to the overall sampling frame; and mean questionnaire completion time is less than 20 minutes.

Results

Phase 1: main modifications to the questionnaire were related to documentation of all other medical practices (including practices intended to prolong life) and a question on the proportionality of drugs used. The final questionnaire contained 45 questions in a booklet style. Phase 2: of the 280 physicians with valid addresses, 87 (31.1%) returned the questionnaire; 11 of the 87 declined to participate, for a response rate of 27.1% (n = 76). Most respondents (64 [84%]) completed the mail questionnaire. All the criteria for success were met.

Interpretation

It is feasible to study medical end-of-life practices, even for practices that are currently illegal, including the intentional use of lethal drugs. Results from this pilot study support conducting a large national study, but additional strategies would be necessary to improve the response rate.

SUBMITTER: Marcoux I

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4933647 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Apr-Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Medical end-of-life practices among Canadian physicians: a pilot study.

Marcoux Isabelle I Boivin Antoine A Mesana Laura L Graham Ian D ID Hébert Paul P

CMAJ open 20160401 2

<h4>Background</h4>Medical end-of-life practices are hotly debated in Canada, and data from other countries are used to support arguments. The objective of this pilot study was twofold: to adapt and validate a questionnaire designed to measure the prevalence of these practices in Canada and the underlying decision-making process, and to assess the feasibility of a nationally representative study.<h4>Methods</h4>In phase 1, questionnaires from previous studies were adapted to the Canadian context ...[more]

PMID: 27398367

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Dataset Information

Medical end-of-life practices among Canadian physicians: a pilot study.

Background

Methods

Results

Interpretation

Publications

Medical end-of-life practices among Canadian physicians: a pilot study.

Similar Datasets

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