Dying in hospital is worse for non‐cancer patients. A regional cross‐sectional survey of bereaved relatives' views. (22nd August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kasdorf, Alina; Dust, Gloria; Schippel, Nicolas; Pfaff, Holger; Rietz, Christian; Voltz, Raymond; Strupp, Julia
• Other Names: Albus Christian investigator.; Ansmann Lena investigator.; Jessen Frank investigator.; Karbach Ute investigator.; Kuntz Ludwig investigator.; Schubert Ingrid investigator.; Schulz‐Nieswandt Frank investigator.; Stock Stephanie investigator.
• Is Part Of: European journal of cancer care. Volume 31:Number 6(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-08-22
• Subjects: cancer -- hospital care -- last 2 days of life -- non‐cancer -- quality of care -- VOICES questionnaire; Cancer -- Nursing -- Periodicals; 616.994
• DOI: 10.1111/ecc.13683
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0961-5423

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: The aim of the study is to examine differences in hospital care between patients with cancer and non‐cancer conditions in their dying phase, perceived by bereaved relatives. Methods: A retrospective cross‐sectional post‐bereavement survey, with the total population of 351 deceased, 91 cancer patients and 46 non‐cancer patients, who spent their last 2 days of life in hospital. A validated German version of the VOICES‐questionnaire ('VOICES‐LYOL‐Cologne') was used. Results: There were substantial differences between the two groups in the rating of sufficient practical care such as pain relief or support to eat or drink ( p = 0.005) and sufficient emotional care needs ( p = 0.006) and in the quality of communication with healthcare professionals ( p < 0.001), with non‐cancer patients scoring lowest in all these dimensions. Conclusion: In all surveyed dimensions on the quality of care in the dying phase, non‐cancer patients' relatives rated the provided care worse than those of cancer patients. To compensate any differences in care in the dying phase between diagnosis groups, hospital care should be provided as needs‐oriented and non‐indication‐specific.