A randomized trial to improve communication about end-of-life care among patients with COPD.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Patients with COPD consistently express a desire to discuss end-of-life care with clinicians, but these discussions rarely occur. We assessed whether an intervention using patient-specific feedback about preferences for discussing end-of-life care would improve the occurrence and quality of communication between patients with COPD and their clinicians.

Methods

We performed a cluster-randomized trial of clinicians and patients from the outpatient clinics at the Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System. Using self-reported questionnaires, we assessed patients' preferences for communication, life-sustaining therapy, and experiences at the end of life. The intervention clinicians and patients received a one-page patient-specific feedback form, based on questionn

SUBMITTER: Au DH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3415164 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature