Quality Indicators of End-of-Life Cancer Care from the Family Members' Perspective in Korea.
- Author:
Hyo Min KIM
1
;
Chang Ho YOUN
;
Hae Jin KO
Author Information
1. Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea. ychfm@knu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Health care quality indicators;
Terminal care;
Attitude to death
- MeSH:
Anonyms and Pseudonyms;
Attitude to Death;
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation;
Surveys and Questionnaires;
Delivery of Health Care;
Female;
Hospice Care;
Hospices;
Humans;
Inpatients;
Korea;
Palliative Care;
Pressure Ulcer;
Prognosis;
Qi;
Quality Indicators, Health Care;
Social Class;
Terminal Care
- From:Korean Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
2011;14(2):101-109
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: The Assessing Care Of Vulnerable Elders project has developed indicators for the quality of the end-of-life (EOL) care. However, family members of cancer patients may have a different view on the quality indicators (QIs) established by health care experts. We evaluated the QIs from the family members' perspective. METHODS: The information used in this study was gathered by surveying family members of cancer patients who were admitted to the inpatient hospice ward in Korea. A cross-sectional anonymous questionnaire was distributed to 120 potential respondents from July to October 2009. We included 69 responses in this study (effective response rate, 57.5%). Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS for Win ver. 14.0, with independent t-test and Pearson's chi-square test. RESULTS: Among QIs for good hospice care, families agreed the most on "Medical examination by the palliative care team or specialist" (88.4%) and "Dying in the family's presence" (88.4%). They agreed the least on "Discussing cardiopulmonary resuscitation with patients" (15.9%). Among QIs for bad hospice care, "Occurrence of fall or pressure ulcer are undesirable" showed the highest agreement rate (94.2%). The lowest agreement rate was 11.6% on "Dying in the hospital is undesirable." In addition, women, patients who were aware of their prognoses, and people with a high socioeconomic status tended to agree more on the QIs. CONCLUSION: Patients' families did not agree on some of the QIs recommended by previous studies. Family members' characteristics were related to their opinions on QIs.
