Discussing end-of-life care 'helps families'
Thursday 2nd June 2011
Discussing end-of-life care brought relief to families and made subsequent medical care easier, a study has indicated.
Research published in journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings revealed that despite the fact discussions about end of life care were shown to ease the burden on families, few patients talked about the "what ifs".
The study investigated patients with severe heart failure who were using a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) as a long-term survival strategy. While it can be a life-sustaining treatment, using an LVAD also involves risks.
Lead author Keith Swetz said: "It can be a tough conversation for families to have but we found it didn't cause stress or loss of hope," Dr. Swetz says. "Instead, having the conversation brought relief and was ultimately reassuring for families and patients."
In other news, being granted access to full medical records improves satisfaction but not anxiety in newly diagnosed cancer patients and their families, according to a new study published in journal Cancer.
Written by Mathew Horton
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