Making the transition to hospice: exploring hospice professionals' perspectives.

Full Abstract

Hospice care is available for 6 months before death but the length of use varies widely, suggesting that there are different perspectives on the appropriate timing for this transition. This qualitative study explored hospice professionals' views on the appropriate timing for and communication about hospice. Ethnography of team meetings informed the development of questions for focus groups and written follow-up surveys with 53 hospice professionals. Results suggest timely admissions are situation-specific and involve a terminal prognosis, terminal decline, and a mutual understanding. Important aspects of communication among families, physicians, and hospice teams are described.

Author information

Author/s: Waldrop, Deborah P (DP); Rinfrette, Elaine S (ES);

Affiliation: University at Buffalo School of Social Work, 685 Baldy Hall, Buffalo, New York 14260, USA. dwaldrop(-atsign-)buffalo.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Death studies (Death Stud), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Jul; vol 33 (issue 6) : pp 557-80

Dates: Created 2009/06/30; Completed 2009/07/20;

PMID: 19565687, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 8/21/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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