The Relationship of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder to End-of-life Care Received by Dying Veterans: a Secondary Data Analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be exacerbated by subsequent trauma, but it is unclear if symptoms are worsened by impending death. PTSD symptoms, including hyperarousal, negative mood and thoughts, and traumatic re-experiencing, can impact end-of-life symptoms, including pain, mood, and poor sleep. Thus, increased symptoms may lead to increased end-of-life healthcare utilization.

Objectives

To determine if veterans with PTSD have increased end-of-life healthcare utilization or medication use and to examine predictors of medication administration.

Design

Secondary analysis of a stepped-wedge design implementation trial to improve end-of-life care for Veterans Affairs (VA) inpatients. Outcome variables were collected via direct chart review. Analys

SUBMITTER: Bickel KE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7018872 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature