edoc

The second patient? Family members of cancer patients and their role in end-of-life decision making

Laryionava, Katsiaryna and Pfeil, Timo A. and Dietrich, Mareike and Reiter-Theil, Stella and Hiddemann, Wolfgang and Winkler, Eva C.. (2018) The second patient? Family members of cancer patients and their role in end-of-life decision making. BMC palliative care, 17 (1). p. 29.

Full text not available from this repository.

Official URL: https://edoc.unibas.ch/79550/

Downloads: Statistics Overview

Abstract

Family members are important companions of severely ill patients with cancer. However, studies about the desirability and difficulties of integrating relatives in the decision-making process are rare in oncology. This qualitative study explores the family role in decisions to limit treatment near the end of life from the professionals’ point of view. Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with oncologists (n = 12) and nurses (n = 6) working at the Department of Hematology/Oncology at the University Hospital in Munich, Germany. The data were analyzed using a descriptive qualitative methodology and discussed from a medical ethics perspective. Four major themes played a central role in the perception of the medical staff in regard to family members. (1) Family impact on patients’ treatment preferences. (2) Strong family wish for further treatment. (3) Emotional distress of the family related to the involvement in end-of-life decision-making. (4) Importance of knowing family structures. The important role of the family members in patients’ disease process is recognized by oncologists and oncology nurses. However, this does not seem to lead to an early involvement of the family members. Developing and establishing a systematic assessment of family members’ needs and wishes in order to provide a specific-tailored support should become a priority for interdisciplinary clinical research in the near future.
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)
UniBasel Contributors:Reiter-Theil, Stella
Item Type:Article, refereed
Article Subtype:Research Article
Publisher:BioMed Central Ltd
e-ISSN:1472-684X
Note:Publication type according to Uni Basel Research Database: Journal article
Related URLs:
Identification Number:
Last Modified:16 Dec 2020 07:47
Deposited On:16 Dec 2020 07:47

Repository Staff Only: item control page