End-of-life (care) perspectives and expectations of patients with schizophrenia.
BACKGROUND
Schizophrenia is a disabling and life-shortening psychiatric disorder due to disease, medication, and lifestyle-related factors. It is therefore not unreasonable to assume that existential themes are important for these patients.


METHODS
Transcripts of 20 patients were coded and analyzed thematically, using a modified grounded theory approach in the exploration of perspectives and expectations of end-of-life (care).


RESULTS
No fear of death, skilled companionship and preserving quality of life were major themes in the interviews.


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that patients, despite emotional flattening and cognitive deficits, find the possibility to discuss end-of-life topics reassuring and some even therapeutic.
University Psychiatric Centre campus Kortenberg KU Leuven, Kortenberg, Belgium.
Kim
K
Sweers
Bernadette
B
Dierckx de Casterlé
Johan
J
Detraux
Marc
M
De Hert
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001293:Attitude to Death; D001294:Attitude to Health; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000523:psychology*