An Ethic of Heroism Shapes Next of Kin's Perceptions of Veterans' End-of-Life Care in Veterans Affairs Medical Centers. Issue 11 (1st November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Williams, Beverly Rosa; Bailey, F. Amos; Goode, Patricia S.; Burgio, Kathryn L.
• Is Part Of: Military medicine. Volume 181:Issue 11/12(2016)
• Page Start: e1575
• Page End: e1580
• Publication Date: 2016-11-01
• Subjects: Surgery, Military -- Societies, etc; Medicine, Military -- Societies, etc; Medicine, Military -- Periodicals; Surgery, Military -- Periodicals; Medicine, Military; Surgery, Military; Military Medicine -- Periodicals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.98023
• DOI: 10.7205/MILMED-D-15-00521
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0026-4075

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Currently 28, 000 Veterans die each year within Veterans Affairs Medical Centers. As Veterans age, the Department of Veterans Affairs faces a variety of issues, including the need for comprehensive end-of-life care. Appreciation of next of kin's assumptions regarding Veterans' care can inform the culture of end-of-life services in Veterans Affairs Medical Centers, contributing to the development of supportive practices aligned with next of kin's perspectives. This study explores next of kin's accounts of Veterans' hospital care during the last days of life to identify salient issues shaping perceptions of Veterans' care.