End-of-life care perspectives of patients and health professionals in an Indian health-care setting

AIM: This descriptive study set out to explore the end-of-life care perspectives both of patients with advanced carcinoma and of health-care professionals in a tertiary health-care setting in India.

METHOD: A descriptive approach was undertaken to assess the end-of-life care perspectives from a sample of 140 patients and 40 health-care professionals. Data was collected through structured interviews with the patients and by self-administered questionnaire from the health-care professionals.

RESULTS: There was a significant association in attitudes to artificial prolongation of life with age and religion. Patients placed a higher degree of importance on emotional, social, physical and spiritual dimensions of care compared to the health-care professionals.

CONCLUSION: There is an urgent call for formulating an end-of-life care policy and advance directives for patients with terminal illness in India. Nurses and physicians should be proactive in offering key supportive services to ensure patient autonomy and facilitate good death.