End-of-life decision-making in Belgium, Denmark, Sweden and Switzerland: does place of death make a difference?
OBJECTIVE
To examine differences in end-of-life decision-making in patients dying at home, in a hospital or in a care home.


METHODS
A death certificate study: certifying physicians from representative samples of death certificates, taken between June 2001 and February 2002, were sent questionnaires on the end-of-life decision-making preceding the patient's death.


METHODS
Four European countries: Belgium (Flanders), Denmark, Sweden, and Switzerland (German-speaking part).


METHODS
The incidence of and communication in different end-of-life decisions: physician-assisted death, alleviation of pain/symptoms with a possible life-shortening effect, and non-treatment decisions.


RESULTS
Response rates ranged from 59% in Belgium to 69% in Switzerland. The total number of deaths studied was 12 492. Among all non-sudden deaths the incidence of several end-of-life decisions varied by place of death. Physician-assisted death occurred relatively more often at home (0.3-5.1%); non-treatment decisions generally occurred more often in hospitals (22.4-41.3%), although they were also frequently taken in care homes in Belgium (26.0%) and Switzerland (43.1%). Continuous deep sedation, in particular without the administration of food and fluids, was more likely to occur in hospitals. At home, end-of-life decisions were usually more often discussed with patients. The incidence of discussion with other caregivers was generally relatively low at home compared with in hospitals or care homes.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest the possibility that end-of-life decision-making is related to the care setting where people die. The study results seem to call for the development of good end-of-life care options and end-of-life communication guidelines in all settings.
Cohen
Joachim
J
End-of-Life Care Research Group, Department of Medical Sociology and Health Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium. joachim.cohen@vub.ac.be
Bilsen
Johan
J
Fischer
Susanne
S
Löfmark
Rurik
R
Norup
Michael
M
van der Heide
Agnes
A
Miccinesi
Guido
G
Deliens
Luc
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers; D003657:Decision Making; D005060:Europe; D005065:Euthanasia; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059408:Pain Management; D010358:Patient Participation; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards