Communication between healthcare professionals and relatives of patients approaching the end-of-life: A systematic review of qualitative evidence.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Effective communication between healthcare professionals and relatives of patients approaching the end-of-life is vital to ensure patients have a 'good death'. To improve communication, it is important to first identify how this is currently being accomplished.

Aim

To review qualitative evidence concerning characteristics of communication about prognosis and end-of-life care between healthcare professionals and relatives of patients approaching the end-of-life.

Design

Qualitative systematic review (PROSPERO registration CRD42017065560) using thematic synthesis. Peer-reviewed, English language articles exploring the content of conversations and how participants communicated were included. No date restrictions were applied. Quality of included studies was app

SUBMITTER: Anderson RJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6691601 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature