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The role of relatives in decisions concerning life-prolonging treatment in patients with end-stage malignant disorders : informants, advocates or surrogate decision-makers?

Hauke, D. and Reiter-Theil, S. and Hoster, E. and Hiddemann, W. and Winkler, E. C.. (2011) The role of relatives in decisions concerning life-prolonging treatment in patients with end-stage malignant disorders : informants, advocates or surrogate decision-makers? Annals of oncology, Vol. 22, H. 12. pp. 2667-2674.

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Official URL: http://edoc.unibas.ch/dok/A6002689

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Abstract

This study examines the extent to which relatives of severely ill cancer patients are involved in the decision to limit treatment (DLT), their role in communicating patient wishes and the incidence of and reasons for disagreement with relatives.; This cohort study followed 70 patients with terminal cancer, for whom a limitation of life-prolonging treatment was being considered. 'Embedded researchers' recorded patients' wishes and the relatives' roles and disagreements with DLT.; Although 63 out of 70 patients had relatives present during their care, only 32% of relatives were involved in DLT. Physicians were more likely to know the end-of-life (EOL) preferences for those patients who had visiting relatives than those without them (78% versus 29%, P = 0.014). Most relatives supported patients in voicing their preferences (68%), but one-third acted against the known or presumed wishes of patients (32%). Disagreements with patients' relatives occurred in 21% of cases, and predominantly when relatives held views that contradicted known patient preferences (71% versus 7%, P = 0.001).; If relatives are to play an important part in EOL decision making, we must devise strategies to recognise their potential as patients' advocates as well as their own needs.
Faculties and Departments:08 Cross-disciplinary Subjects > Ethik > Institut für Bio- und Medizinethik > Bio- und Medizinethik (Elger)
03 Faculty of Medicine > Departement Public Health > Ethik in der Medizin > Bio- und Medizinethik (Elger)
03 Faculty of Medicine > Departement Public Health > Ehemalige Einheiten Public Health > Medizin- und Gesundheitsethik (Reiter-Theil)
UniBasel Contributors:Reiter-Theil, Stella
Item Type:Article, refereed
Article Subtype:Research Article
Publisher:Oxford University Press
ISSN:0923-7534
Note:Publication type according to Uni Basel Research Database: Journal article
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Last Modified:27 Feb 2014 15:45
Deposited On:27 Feb 2014 15:45

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