Association between end-of-life discussions, quality of life of cancer patients at end-of-life, and mental health of the bereaved family members of cancer patients

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K10916
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 58060:Clinical nursing-related
• Research Institution: University of Human Environments
• Principal Investigator: Hayashi Yoko 人間環境大学, 看護学部, 講師 (20808703)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 安藤 詳子 名古屋大学, 医学系研究科(保健), 教授 (60212669) ; 佐藤 一樹 名古屋大学, 医学系研究科(保健), 准教授 (60583789)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 緩和ケア / 死別 / うつ / 終末期 / quality of life

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study investigated the effect of end-of-life discussions between physicians and patients on general ward cancer pa-tients’ quality of death and quality of palliative care. The findings were the following: (1) over 60% of the patients had end-of-life discussions with their physicians, and the factors associated with the discussions were patients’ prognostic perceptions and end-of-life discussions with their families before being diagnosed with cancer; and (2) end-of-life dis-cussions were associated with better quality of palliative care (CES).

Free Research Field

がん看護学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

約7割のがん患者の死亡場所となっている一般病棟でのEnd-of-life discussionの実態や終末期がん患者と遺族のアウトカムへの影響を検討した結果、進行がん患者が非専門病棟で死亡した場合でもEnd-of-life discussionは患者のQOLを向上させ、遺族の心理的リスクを軽減することが示唆され、これからのがん終末期ケアや遺族の悲嘆ケアの改善に貢献するためのEnd-of-life discussionの在り方を再認識することができた。