End-of-Life Review.
BACKGROUND
The term "End-of-Life Review" is often used by hospice workers in the context of spiritual apparitions or visitations prior to a patient's death. A review of the literature reveals no clear definition or categorization of this expression.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to define the term "End-of-Life Review".


METHODS
The study was performed using the Delphi method.


METHODS
A panel of interested parties was recruited from October 2006 to January 2007.


METHODS
Respondents were first asked to list their most common experiences associated with the term "End-of-Life Review," and then to rate each item as to how well it represented their understanding of this term. This process continued until subsequent rounds produce little change in the ranking of each item, suggesting a consensus.


CONCLUSIONS
The term "End-of-Life Review" is a constellation of behaviors ranging from visitations from the departed to spiritual apparitions prior to death.
Aylor
Arden L
AL
Department of Family Medicine, Scott & White Memorial Hospital, Amarillo, Texas 79114, USA. alaylor@swmail.sw.org
Grimes
Gil C
GC
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001293:Attitude to Death; D003643:Death; D003697:Delphi Technique; D006801:Humans; D009516:New Mexico; D029181:Spirituality; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D013781:Texas