Context Quality end-of-life care is increasingly recognized as
an ethical obligation of health care providers, both clinicians and
organizations. However, this concept has not been examined from the
perspective of patients.
Objective To identify and describe elements of quality end-of-life
care from the patient's perspective.
Design Qualitative study using in-depth, open-ended, face-to-face
interviews and content analysis.
Setting Toronto, Ontario.
Participants A total of 126 participants from 3 patient groups:
dialysis patients (n = 48), people with human immunodeficiency virus
infection (n = 40), and residents of a long-term care facility (n =
38).
Outcome Measures Participants' views on end-of-life issues.
Results Participants identified 5 domains of quality end-of-life
care: receiving adequate pain and symptom management, avoiding
inappropriate prolongation of dying, achieving a sense of control,
relieving burden, and strengthening relationships with loved ones.
Conclusion These domains, which characterize patients'
perspectives on end-of-life care, can serve as focal points for
improving the quality of end-of-life care.