title: What consumers want to know about quality when choosing a hospice provider.
abstract: Despite the availability of endorsed quality measures and widespread usage of hospice, hospice quality data are rarely available to consumers. Moreover, little is known about how consumers prioritize extant measures. This study drew on focus group and survey data collected in 5 metropolitan areas. The study found that consumers reported the hospice quality indicators we tested were easy to understand. Participants placed top priority on measures related to pain and symptom management. Relative to consumers with hospice experience, consumers without previous experience tended to place less value on spiritual support for patients and caregivers, emotional support for caregivers, and after-hours availability. The National Quality Forum-approved measures resonate well with consumers. Consumers also appear to be ready for access to data on the quality of hospice providers.
authors.affiliation: Center for Consumer Choice in Health Care, Altarum Institute, San Antonio, TX, USA paulbradleysmith@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Brad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Altarum Institute, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McDuff
authors.affiliation: American Hospice Foundation, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Naomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Naierman
authors.affiliation: Independent Consultant, Bethesda, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kreling
authors.affiliation: Altarum Institute, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Naomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tein
authors.affiliation: Altarum Institute, Washington, DC, USA dora.hunter@altarum.org.
authors.forename: Dora
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.affiliation: American Hospice Foundation, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Meredith
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Deviney
authors.affiliation: Center for Elder Care and Advanced Illness, Altarum Institute, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lynn
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D054626:Consumer Health Information / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D017051:Hospice Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D029181:Spirituality
keywords: consumer; hospice; public reporting; quality