Knowledge of end-of-life wishes by physicians and family caregivers in cancer patients.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To describe communication regarding cancer patient's end-of-life (EoL) wishes by physicians and family caregivers.

Methods

An online questionnaire and telephone-based surveys were performed with physicians and family caregivers respectively in three teaching hospitals in Colombia which had been involved in the EoL care of cancer patients.

Results

For 138 deceased patients we obtained responses from physicians and family caregivers. In 32 % physicians reported they spoke to the caregiver and in 17 % with the patient regarding EoL decisions. In most cases lacking a conversation, physicians indicated the treatment option was "clearly the best for the patient" or that it was "not necessary to discuss treatment with the patient". Twenty-six percent of the caregi

SUBMITTER: Calvache JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8434705 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature