Family perspectives on end-of-life care experiences in nursing homes The purpose of this study was to expand knowledge about end-of-life care received in nursing homes. Using interviews with surviving family members (n=54). Respondents report that the needs of dying patients are often insufficiently addressed by healthcare professionals and physicians are often "missing in action", and they desired more and better trained staff. They indicate that regulations were more task-oriented than person-centered care and added to patient and family burden. Although hospice services are reported to enhance end-of-life care, respondents also reported late referrals and occasional misunderstandings about the role and scope of hospice. The researchers recommend that sustained efforts in many areas are needed to improve end-of-life care in nursing homes and detail policy recommendations. Wetle T, Shield R, Teno J, Miller SC, Welch L. Adapted from Gerontologist. 2005 Oct;45(5):642-50. PMID 16199399 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16199399&query_hl=37 Credit: PubMed, developed by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) at the National Library of Medicine (NLM).

Department of Pain Medicine and Palliative Care Beth Israel Medical Center, New York City ©2005 Continuum Health Partners, Inc. www.stoppain.org/palliative_care