Publication
Title
If you had less than a year to live, would you want to know? A seven-country European population survey of public preferences for disclosure of poor prognosis
Author
Institution/Organisation
PRISMA
Abstract
ObjectiveWith increasing European cancer deaths, clinicians must manage information regarding poor prognosis. This study aimed to determine European citizens' preferences, within a scenario of serious illness such as cancer with less than a year to live, for information disclosure regarding poor prognosis, the likely symptoms and problems, and the care options available, to measure variations between countries and to identify factors associated with preferences. MethodsA population-based cross-national telephone survey using random digit dialling in seven countries was conducted. ResultsAmong 9344 respondents, data revealed an international preference (73.9%) to always be informed in the scenario of having a serious illness such as cancer with less than a year to live. This varied from 67.6% in Italy to 80.7% in Flanders. A minority (21.1%) did not want such information unless they ask, or at all. People younger than 70years (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.62-0.83, p<0.001), men (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.10-1.37, p<0.001), those with experience of illness (OR=1.20. 95% CI 1.01-1.43, p<0.05) and with more education (OR=1.20, 95% CI 1.09-1.32, p<0.001) were more likely to want to know of limited time left. ConclusionsThe models confirmed the influence of four factors in more than one country (age, gender, education and most concerning problem) and added 11 country-specific factors to which national policies and clinical practice should respond. These findings confirm a majority public preference to be informed in a scenario of poor prognosis. Policy clinical practice should facilitate elucidation and delivery of preferences. Evidence for effective communication skills-building interventions for clinicians is required. Copyright (c) 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Psycho-oncology : journal of the psychological, social and behavioral dimensions of cancer. - Chichester
Publication
Chichester : 2013
ISSN
1057-9249
DOI
10.1002/PON.3283
Volume/pages
22 :10 (2013) , p. 2298-2305
ISI
000325150400019
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
PRISMA - Reflecting the positive diversities of European priorities for research and Measurement in end of life care.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 08.11.2013
Last edited 09.10.2023
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