• G Miccinesi, E Bianchi, C Brunelli, and C Borreani.
• Clinical and Descriptive Epidemiology Unit, Institute for the Study and Prevention of Cancer, Florence Clinical Psychology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Venezian 1, Milan, Italy.
• Eur J Cancer Care (Engl). 2012 Sep 1;21(5):623-33.

AbstractThe aim of the present study is to describe end-of-life preferences of advanced cancer patients willing to talk about death issues. Eighty-eight advanced cancer patients were interviewed through End of Life Preferences Interview (ELPI), a 23-item interview covering a wide range of end-of-life care issues. Most interviewed subjects were home care patients and their median survival after ELPI administration was 69 days. In total, 100% of responders expressed the will to receive some kind of information on the disease process and/or the treatments proposed. Approximately 77% declared to be willing to talk about what it is important at the end of life in case of worsening of their conditions and 31% prefer to be left alone in difficult moments. Approximately 67% choose home as the preferred place of death and 63% think it is preferable to die in a state of unconsciousness induced by drugs. About half of responders declare to believe in any kind of life after death and 40% consider very important to find any meaning at the end of life. ELPI can be a useful instrument to adapt the model of care to the specific needs and values of each patient.© 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

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