Patient perspectives regarding communication about prognosis and end-of-life issues: How can it be optimised?

• Published in: Patient education and counseling 2013-03, Vol.90 (3), p.307-314
• Main Authors: Walczak, Adam, Butow, Phyllis N, Davidson, Patricia M, Bellemore, Frances A, Tattersall, Martin H.N, Clayton, Josephine M, Young, Jane, Mazer, Benjamin, Ladwig, Susan, Epstein, Ronald M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Australia; Communication; Counseling; Cross-Cultural Comparison; End of life decisions; End-of-life issues; Female; Focus Groups; Humans; Internal Medicine; Interviews as Topic; Male; Middle Aged; Nursing; Palliative care; Patients - psychology; Physician-Patient Relations; Prognosis; Quality of Life; Readiness; Recording; Terminal Care - psychology; Terminally Ill - psychology; Therapeutic alliances; Treatment Outcome; United States
• ISSN: 0738-3991; 1873-5134
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2011.08.009

Abstract Objective To explore patients’ perspectives across two cultures (Australia and USA) regarding communication about prognosis and end-of-life care issues and to consider the ways in which these discussions can be optimised. Methods Fifteen Australian and 11 US patients completed individual semi-structured qualitative interviews. A further 8 US patients participated in a focus group. Interviews and focus group recordings were transcribed verbatim and interpreted using thematic text analysis with an inductive, data-driven approach. Results Global themes identified included readiness for and outcomes of discussions of prognosis and end-of-life issues. Contributing to readiness were sub themes including patients’ adjustment to and acceptance of their condition (together with seven factors promoting this), doctor and patient communication skills, mutual understandings and therapeutic relationship elements. Outcomes included sub themes of achievement of control and ability to move on. A model of the relationships between these factors, emergent cross cultural differences, and how factors may help to optimise these discussions are presented. Conclusion Identified optimising factors illustrate Australian and US patients’ perspectives regarding how prognosis and end-of-life issues can be discussed with minimised negative impact. Practice implications Recognition of factors promoting adjustment, acceptance and readiness and use of the communication skills and therapeutic relationship elements identified may assist in optimising discussions and help patients plan care, achieve more control of their situation and enjoy an optimal quality-of-life.