title: Using caregivers-as-proxies to retrospectively assess and measure quality of dying of palliative care clients.
abstract: This study evaluated two quality-of-life assessment and measurement tools, the Client Generated Index and the McGill Quality of Life questionnaire, within palliative care nursing. Primarily tested was the feasibility of the tools to assess clients' QOL at admission and, if necessary, when their condition altered. The reliability of the tools has previously been ascertained Additionally, quality of dying during the last two days of life for 14 participants who died during the study was assessed and measured retrospectively by these tools, using the client's nominated caregiver as proxy for the client. It is this second focus that we report on here. The reasons why proxy assessment and measurement of client QOD was not useful or feasible are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Palliative Care Unit, Royal District Nursing Service South Australia Inc., Adelaide, Australia.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bridge
authors.forename: D I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Roughton
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Janine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Barelds
authors.forename: Sava
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brenton
authors.forename: Sherree
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cotter
authors.forename: Mary-lou
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Hagebols
authors.forename: Kirsty
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Woolman
authors.forename: Merilyn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Annells
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Koch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000523:psychology; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards*; D019727:Proxy / Q000523:psychology*; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*