The quality of life of patients with cancer receiving hospice care.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the outcomes of hospice services and explore factors that affect the quality of life (QOL) of patients with cancer receiving hospice care.


METHODS
Descriptive.


METHODS
Two homecare hospices in the southeastern United States.


METHODS
Convenience sample of 118 hospice patients with a diagnosis of cancer and their primary caregivers.


METHODS
The Hospice Quality of Life Index (HQLI) was administered to patients and caregivers within 48 hours of admission and after three weeks of hospice care.


METHODS
QOL.


RESULTS
HQLI scores could range from a low of 25 to a high of 250. Mean HQLI scores of the patients ranged from 168-173.7; the caregivers' means ranged from 157-158. Factor analysis confirmed four subscales: physical/functional, social/spiritual, psychological, and financial well-being. The social/spiritual subscale resulted in the highest mean scores (74.9), and the physical/functional subscale had the lowest (23.9). Correlations between patient and caregiver HQLI scores were only moderate (r = 0.51-0.55)


CONCLUSIONS
Overall QOL remained stable during the study period when measured by an apparently valid and reliable instrument. QOL is characterized by multidimensionality and subjectivity.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses need to design interventions to support the QOL of people who are terminally ill, with a particular focus on the physical/functional aspects of care. QOL assessment data should be collected from patients whenever possible, and outcomes of care should continue to be studied using valid and reliable tools.
McMillan
S C
SC
College of Nursing, University of South Florida, Tampa, USA.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000592:standards*; D017051:Hospice Care / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires