Universität zu Köln

Groebe, Bernadette, Rietz, Christian ORCID: 0000-0002-7057-4937, Voltz, Raymond ORCID: 0000-0002-4761-3395 and Strupp, Julia ORCID: 0000-0003-3135-2693 (2019). How to Talk About Attitudes Toward the End of Life: A Qualitative Study. Am. J. Hosp. Palliat. Med., 36 (8). S. 697 - 705. THOUSAND OAKS: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC. ISSN 1938-2715

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Abstract

To individually plan end-of-life care, open communication about a person's preferences and attitudes toward the end of life can facilitate dignity and quality of life in patients and relatives. To improve communication, structured guiding tools might be used as door openers. However, most tools focus on care preferences and decisions without assessing the person's underlying attitudes in detail. This study aims to get insights into specific requirements and conditions for communication about the end of life in various end-of-life care settings. Four focus groups were conducted with volunteers and professionals from nursing and psychosocial care (16 females, 2 males) working in hospice and palliative care and long-term care settings in Germany. A semistructured interview guideline on experiences and aspects associated with end-of-life conversations was used. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed by a content analytic approach. Having end-of-life discussions primarily depended on a pleasant atmosphere, trusting bonds between conversation partners, and professional attitudes of staff members. Nursing home staff felt obligated to initiate conversations, but some reported insecurities doing so. Starting early, including relatives, and having continuous discussions seemed beneficial for end-of-life conversations. Implementing conversations into existing care structures and using low-threshold impulses to start conversations were helpful. Individualized approaches should be preferred. Each staff member can be a partner in detailed conversations about end-of-life attitudes, but some felt unprepared doing so. Further skill training concerning end-of-life discussions is needed. Communication might be facilitated by open-format tools using low-threshold impulses when conditions of the care setting are considered.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Groebe, Bernadette UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Rietz, Christian UNSPECIFIED orcid.org/0000-0002-7057-4937 UNSPECIFIED Voltz, Raymond UNSPECIFIED orcid.org/0000-0002-4761-3395 UNSPECIFIED Strupp, Julia UNSPECIFIED orcid.org/0000-0003-3135-2693 UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-145354
DOI:	10.1177/1049909119836238
Journal or Publication Title:	Am. J. Hosp. Palliat. Med.
Volume:	36
Number:	8
Page Range:	S. 697 - 705
Date:	2019
Publisher:	SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC
Place of Publication:	THOUSAND OAKS
ISSN:	1938-2715
Language:	English
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine
Divisions:	Faculty of Medicine > Sonstiges > Zentrum für Versorgungsforschung Köln
Subjects:	Medical sciences Medicine
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language OF-LIFE; ADVANCE CARE; DECISION-MAKING; SERIOUS ILLNESS; DEATH; COMMUNICATION; RESIDENTS; PLACE; CONVERSATIONS; PERSPECTIVES Multiple languages Health Care Sciences & Services Multiple languages
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/14535