Navigation auf zora.uzh.ch

Search ZORA

ZORA (Zurich Open Repository and Archive)

End-of-life care for glioma patients; the caregivers' perspective

Hertler, Caroline; Eisele, Günter; Gramatzki, Dorothee; Seystahl, Katharina; Wolpert, Fabian; Roth, Patrick; Weller, Michael (2020). End-of-life care for glioma patients; the caregivers' perspective. Journal of Neuro-Oncology, 147(3):663-669.

Abstract

PURPOSE

Gliomas are primary brain tumors with a life-limiting course of disease, and the last weeks of life are often characterized by neurological deficits that affect communication and personality. End-of-life treatment in this patient group therefore requires specific approaches. To date, little data is available on patients' and caregivers' needs and experiences in the last phase of the disease.

METHODS

In this observational study, relatives of patients treated at the University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland and deceased 2015-2017 due to glioma progression were contacted to complete a structured questionnaire assessing caregivers experience within the last weeks of the disease.

RESULTS

The survey was sent to 120 relatives of deceased patients with a glioma (WHO grades II-IV) (median patient age: 62 years; 73.8% male). Forty-three questionnaires were returned (37.7%). Approximately half of the patients were taken care of at home in the last 4 weeks of the disease, mainly with the assistance of in-home nursing care, of which eventually 14 patients (63.6%) died at home. While caregivers reported high satisfaction with medical and nursing care, psychological support was rated average to poor on a 10-point scale. Free comment fields were used widely, revealing open questions and needs of the relatives.

CONCLUSIONS

This study illustrates the need for a more patient-centered end-of-life care including higher psychological support mechanisms, and a higher inclusion and consideration of relatives and caregivers into the care focus. Earlier discussion of end-of-life preferences could prevent hospitalizations in the last phase of life and could improve patients' and caregivers' quality of life.

Additional indexing

Item Type:Journal Article, refereed, original work
Communities & Collections:04 Faculty of Medicine > University Hospital Zurich > Clinic for Neurology
04 Faculty of Medicine > University Hospital Zurich > Clinic for Radiation Oncology
Dewey Decimal Classification:610 Medicine & health
Scopus Subject Areas:Health Sciences > Oncology
Life Sciences > Neurology
Health Sciences > Neurology (clinical)
Life Sciences > Cancer Research
Language:English
Date:May 2020
Deposited On:16 Dec 2020 14:56
Last Modified:24 Oct 2024 01:36
Publisher:Springer
ISSN:0167-594X
OA Status:Closed
Publisher DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-020-03471-2
PubMed ID:32232622

Metadata Export

Statistics

Citations

Dimensions.ai Metrics
12 citations in Web of Science®
12 citations in Scopus®
Google Scholar™

Altmetrics

Downloads

0 downloads since deposited on 16 Dec 2020
0 downloads since 12 months

Authors, Affiliations, Collaborations

Similar Publications