Many Clinicians Don't Discuss Hospice Care with Terminally Ill Patients, Study Shows

(PhysOrg.com) -- Many clinicians whose chronically or terminally ill patients might benefit from learning about hospice care are not having these discussions, according to recent findings by Yale School of Medicine researcher Terri Fried working with medical students John Thomas and John R. O'Leary.

Their report was published this summer in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

"Lack of communication between clinicians and their patients with advanced illnesses appears to be a significant barrier to hospice utilization," said Fried, professor of internal medicine (geriatrics). "Addressing this barrier would likely require clinicians to shift the focus of hospice away from the patient's prognosis and towards the patients' symptoms, care needs and preferences."

Past studies have shown that hospice provides quality care for patients at the end of life, with a high satisfaction rate for patients and families, but that this service is underutilized. The study included 215 patients over age 60 with advanced cancer, chronic ob structive pulmonary disease or heart failure.

Provided by Yale University (news : web)