title: Hospice and Family Involvement With End-of-Life Care: Results From a Population-Based Survey.
abstract: Utilization and perceived benefits of hospice may vary across populations. In a population-based survey, we examined the prevalence of hospice utilization, caregiver sociodemographic characteristics, and quality and complexity of end-of-life (EOL) care, as reported by community caregivers to people who died in the prior year. The 2009 to 2010 Allegheny County, PA Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Health Survey, a population-based telephone survey of 5442 adult residents, included an 8-item EOL caregiver module. Overall, 7.8% (95% confidence interval = 7.0-8.6) of respondents reported having arranged or provided care for a close friend/family member who died in the previous 12 months. Caregivers of decedents who utilized hospice reported positive quality outcomes and greater involvement in care. Utilization of hospice services was associated with beneficial outcomes at EOL, but with increased involvement of EOL caregivers.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA jbs31@pitt.edu.
authors.forename: Jennifer B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Seaman
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Todd M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Bear
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Patricia I
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Documet
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Sereika
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Steven M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Albert
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology; D017051:Hospice Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; access; caregivers; community surveys; end-of-life care; evaluation; health care quality; hospice