Priorities for end-of-life care of pan-European survey reveals

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A survey of more than 9,000 people in seven different countries in Europe has shown that the majority of the quality of life in the time to improve, had left it, want to rather than to expand it. The survey reveals care attitudes in Europe for the treatment of serious diseases such as cancer and problems raised, if for a close friend of relative in the last months of life. The research was carried out as part of an EU funded project led by researchers of from King's College London.

The telephone survey of 9,339 people was carried out to explore settings for end of life care in seven European countries: Germany, England, the Netherlands, Belgium (Flanders), Portugal, Spain and Italy. The survey found that 71% of people said they would want, improving the quality of life for the time, who had, left 4% would like to extend life; and 25% said quality and life-prolonging was just as important. In all countries in the survey, ' as in pain was the symptom or problem, which was of most importance, followed by 'is a burden on others'

The results of the survey will be discussed by policy makers, research funders and experts palliative care in Brussels on Thursday at a symposium possession PRISMA - a consortium of experts from nine European and African countries, under the direction of King's College London. The PRISMA group says more attention must be on quality of life in addition to potentially life-prolonging treatments, as the survey shows quality of life is important, people, often more so than expand it.

For the provision of end-of-life care, you call a group of leading scientists and clinicians, which is led by Professor Irene Higginson OBE at King's College London, throughout Europe in the light of the results, and increased investment in research, meet people's needs better at the end of her life to be checked.

Professor Irene Higginson OBE, Scientific Director of PRISMA and professor who said palliative care and policy at King's College London,: "it needs a fundamental shift in the approach to the provision of end-of-life care in Europe." Although individual priorities and needs are different, it is quite clear that people appreciate the quality of the time that they have left.

"What we need to see is a change in the way policy-makers and clinicians throughout Europe look at end-of-life care, and ensure that inform people priorities and needs, planning and delivery of these services." Together with a strengthened investment in scientific research in end-of-life care, this will really make a difference to the quality of life of the people as their last weeks and days faced. "

The PRISMA Group calls for a change in the way all health care professionals working with patients with advanced disease measure what is important for patients and their families. Currently, the emphasis on physical tests such as X-rays, scans, and monitoring bloods. But PRISMA warns that although important tests can this routine miss the impact of the disease on the person and their family. A review of the symptoms, psychological, social, and spiritual needs is an urgent need to ensure an appropriate response to patients and family priorities.

PRISMA in the comparison of the results of the survey with the views of almost 800 clinicians working in the end-of-life care and recommended an approach to the fight against with five pillars: symptom control; emotional well-being; Family support; Choice for where you are provided; and information required.

Professor Stein Kaasa, Member of PRISMA, Professor of palliative medicine and a medical oncologist to which Norwegian University of science and technology said: ' it is now the responsibility for all physicians work with patients with life-threatening diseases as cancer advanced, to measure and others measure the results of their work against which to patients, Lead Affairs so that they know to be on track to provide high-quality health care. "

Source:
Katherine Barnes
King's College London