title: Determining the factors contributing to quality of life of patients at the last stage of life: a qualitative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Quality- of- life of patients at their last stage of their life are different from that of other people.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the factors contributing to the quality- of- life of patients at their last stage of their life and provide good cares for these patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  This qualitative study was performed by the thematic- framework method of analysis. Twenty three participants including patients, their families, nurses, physicians, psychologists and clergymen were selected sampling. Data were collected by semi - structured interview. We used the thematic framework method to analyze qualitative data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven factors which needed to be considered in the patients' at last stage quality of life included stress reduction, participation, homecare, education, independency, support, recourses and facilities. According to the findings, the number of these factors may be more than what was mentioned above.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Paying attention to the quality of life at the last stage can be helpful for patients and their families and the special care can be taken for them.
authors.affiliation: Deparment of Health Education Promotion, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Estebsari
authors.affiliation: Deparment of Health Education Promotion, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Hossein
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Taghdisi
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Service Management, School of Health Management and Information, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Davood
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mostafaei
authors.affiliation: Community Based Participatory Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Ensiyeh
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jamshidi
authors.affiliation: Deparment of Health Education Promotion, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Marzieh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Latifi
keywords: Patients; Quality of life; Self Concept