Journal of palliative medicine
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Patients typically receive hospice care only in the last days or weeks of life, and there is widespread agreement among experts that patients enroll in hospice too late. However, it is not known whether patients and their families believe that they are enrolling in hospice too late. ⋯ Despite late enrollment in hospice and very short lengths of stay, most patients and families believe that they are enrolling in hospice at the right time.
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In 1997, the Institute of Medicine called for reform, improved quality and expanded research in end-of-life care. Yet little empirical information about preferences of African Americans has been documented. A community-campus partnership was formed to guide a needs assessment related to end-of-life care in a Southern, urban, African American community. This paper presents focus group findings related to end-of-life and palliative care. ⋯ Findings suggest important clinical implications for clinicians and other health professionals. These voices from the community remind us of the heterogeneity in needs and preferences and challenge us to listen and tailor communication to each patient and their families.
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Accurate prognostication of the trajectory of an illness provides multiple benefits in end-of-life care. Prognostic information facilitates more realistic decision making regarding ongoing treatment, fosters risk-benefit considerations of specific interventions, and contributes to appropriate utilization of health care services. ⋯ The PPS scores are associated with patient length of survival in a hospice program and can be used in evaluating hospice appropriateness.