• Mitsunori Miyashita, Asumi Nakamura, Tatsuya Morita, and Seiji Bito.
• Department of Adult Nursing/Palliative Care Nursing, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. miyasita-tky@umin.net
• Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2008 Feb 1;25(1):33-8.

AbstractEnd-of life care is one of the principle components of cancer care. Measurement of the quality of care provided for end-of-life cancer patients is an important issue. The aim of this study was to identify the quality indicators (QIs) for end-of-life cancer care for Japanese patients using a medical chart review. A modified Delphi method for the development of QIs was adopted. Seventeen multi-professional specialists participated by rating the appropriateness and feasibility of potential QIs. Thirty QIs for end-of-life cancer care were ultimately identified within 4 domains: (1) symptom control, (2) decision-making and preference of care, (3) family care, and (4) psychosocial and spiritual concerns. These QIs will be useful for monitoring and evaluating end-of-life care for Japanese cancer patients. The QIs are feasible for use in any clinical setting and cover a comprehensive area in accordance with the World Health Organization's (WHO) definition of palliative care including physical, psychosocial, and spiritual concerns.

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