Decision-making about palliative sedation for patients with cancer: a qualitative study in five European countries linked to the Palliative sedation project.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Palliative sedation refers to the proportional use of titrated medication which reduces consciousness with the aim of relieving refractory suffering related to physical and psychological symptoms and/or existential distress near the end of life. Palliative sedation is intended to be an end of life option that enables healthcare professionals to provide good patient care but there remains controversy on how it is used. Little is known about decision-making processes regarding this procedure. The aim of this study was to explore decision-making processes in palliative sedation based on the experiences and perceptions of relatives and healthcare professionals.

Methods

We conducted a qualitative interview study with dyads (a bereaved relative and a healthcare professi

SUBMITTER: Van der Elst M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11662527 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature