Surgeons' Perceived Barriers to Palliative and End-of-Life Care: A Mixed Methods Study of a Surgical Society.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Nearly 20% of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients present with potentially incurable (Stage IV) disease, yet their physicians do not integrate cancer treatment with palliative care. Compared with patients treated by primary providers, surgical patients with terminal diseases are significantly less likely to receive palliative or end-of-life care.

Objective

To describe surgeon perspectives on palliative and end-of-life care for patients with Stage IV CRCs.

Design

This is a convergent mixed methods study using a validated survey instrument from the Critical Care Peer Workgroup of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Promoting Excellence in End-of-Life Care Project with additional qualitative questions.

Settings

Participants were all current, nonretired me

SUBMITTER: Suwanabol PA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6909736 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature