Priority 12 from the Palliative and end of life care PSP
| UNCERTAINTY: What are the best ways for healthcare professionals to tell patients, carers and families that a patient's illness is terminal and also explain the dying process compassionately and honestly? Can literature, including leaflets, be helpful? Who is the best person to provide this information and communication? (JLA PSP Priority 12) | |
|---|---|
| Overall ranking | 12 |
| JLA question ID | 0026/12 |
| Evidence |
Ongoing controlled trials: Health System Intervention to Improve Communication About End-of-Life Care for Vulnerable Patients NCT01933789 Dignity Talk: a Novel Palliative Care Intervention for Patients and Their Families NCT01883375 |
| Health Research Classification System category | Generic |
| Extra information provided by this PSP | |
|---|---|
| Original uncertainty examples | Why can't doctors and clinicians be more honest and clear in their explanations about end of life and prognosis? ~ Why are the patients, carers and families not told about what to expect during the last couple of days/hours before passing? ~ More information about the extreme side of end of a life should be available to help plan better. ~ What is the policy about being honest with carers? ~ My mum was quite stubborn and did not really want anyone else involved,how would you talk to her? |
| Submitted by | Professionals x 2 ~ Bereaved carers x 1 |
| Outcomes to be measured | Health related quality of life; health related cost. |
| PSP information | |
|---|---|
| PSP unique ID | 0026 |
| PSP name | Palliative and end of life care |
| Total number of uncertainties identified by this PSP. | 83 (To see a full list of all uncertainties identified, please see the detailed spreadsheet held on the JLA website) |
| Date of priority setting workshop | 21 November 2014 |