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Preparing for the end of life: preferences of patients, families, physicians, and other care providers.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Steinhauser, KE; Christakis, NA; Clipp, EC; McNeilly, M; Grambow, S; Parker, J; Tulsky, JA
Published in: J Pain Symptom Manage
September 2001

To examine patients', families', and health care providers' preferences regarding preparation for the end of life, attributes of preparation were generated in qualitative focus group discussions and subsequently tested for generalizability in a quantitative national survey. Respondents from all groups showed consensus on the importance of naming someone to make decisions, knowing what to expect about one's physical condition, having financial affairs in order, having treatment preferences in writing, and knowing that one's physician is comfortable talking about death and dying. Patients were more likely than physicians to want to plan funerals and know the timing of death and less likely than all other groups to want to discuss personal fears. Participants in care of dying patients agree overwhelmingly with the importance of preparation. However, significant barriers to preparation impede it from being a common part of clinical encounters. Further research and training are needed to ensure that the desire for greater preparation is translated into improved action toward preparation in medical practice.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

J Pain Symptom Manage

DOI

ISSN

0885-3924

Publication Date

September 2001

Volume

22

Issue

3

Start / End Page

727 / 737

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Terminal Care
  • Quality of Health Care
  • Physicians
  • Patients
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Family
 

Citation

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Steinhauser, K. E., Christakis, N. A., Clipp, E. C., McNeilly, M., Grambow, S., Parker, J., & Tulsky, J. A. (2001). Preparing for the end of life: preferences of patients, families, physicians, and other care providers. J Pain Symptom Manage, 22(3), 727–737. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0885-3924(01)00334-7
Steinhauser, K. E., N. A. Christakis, E. C. Clipp, M. McNeilly, S. Grambow, J. Parker, and J. A. Tulsky. “Preparing for the end of life: preferences of patients, families, physicians, and other care providers.J Pain Symptom Manage 22, no. 3 (September 2001): 727–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0885-3924(01)00334-7.
Steinhauser KE, Christakis NA, Clipp EC, McNeilly M, Grambow S, Parker J, et al. Preparing for the end of life: preferences of patients, families, physicians, and other care providers. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2001 Sep;22(3):727–37.
Steinhauser, K. E., et al. “Preparing for the end of life: preferences of patients, families, physicians, and other care providers.J Pain Symptom Manage, vol. 22, no. 3, Sept. 2001, pp. 727–37. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/s0885-3924(01)00334-7.
Steinhauser KE, Christakis NA, Clipp EC, McNeilly M, Grambow S, Parker J, Tulsky JA. Preparing for the end of life: preferences of patients, families, physicians, and other care providers. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2001 Sep;22(3):727–737.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Pain Symptom Manage

DOI

ISSN

0885-3924

Publication Date

September 2001

Volume

22

Issue

3

Start / End Page

727 / 737

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Terminal Care
  • Quality of Health Care
  • Physicians
  • Patients
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Family