title: Continuity of care during end of life: an evolutionary concept analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to clarify the concept of continuity of care during the end of life with a focus on the patient's perspective.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rodgers' method of evolutionary concept analysis was used. The analysis was based on literature published in English in the databases Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Medline, and PsycINFO.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis revealed that the continuity at life's end is a dynamic process that depends on the interaction among patients, families, and providers, and is strictly interwoven with the patient's time perception.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This analysis showed the complexities surrounding the patient's experience of continuity at life's end.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nurses can benefit from a deeper understanding of the patient's experience, both theoretically and in practice.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, "Tor Vergata" University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: D'Angelo
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mastroianni
authors.forename: J Marilyn
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hammer
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piredda
authors.forename: Ercole
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vellone
authors.forename: Rosaria
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alvaro
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: De Marinis
mesh_terms: D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D006801:Humans; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology; D013727:Terminal Care
keywords: Concept analysis; continuity of patient care; end of life; palliative care