title: Patients' preferences in palliative care: A systematic mixed studies review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is necessary to develop palliative care to meet existing and future needs of patients and their families. It is important to include knowledge of patient preferences when developing high-quality palliative care services. Previous reviews have focused on patient preferences with regard to specific components of palliative care. There is a need to review research on patient's combined preferences for all elements that constitute palliative care.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to identify preferences for palliative care among patients in the palliative phase of their illness, by synthesizing existing research.
  
  
  METHODS
  Studies were retrieved by searching databases - the Cochrane Library, Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus and Sociological Abstracts - from 1946 to 2014, and by hand searching references in the studies included.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic mixed studies review was conducted. Two reviewers independently selected studies for inclusion and extracted data according to the eligibility criteria. Data were synthesized using integrative thematic analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 13 qualitative and 10 quantitative studies identified included participants with different illnesses in various settings. Four themes emerged representing patient preferences for care. The theme 'Living a meaningful life' illustrated what patients strived for. The opportunity to focus on living required the presence of 'Responsive healthcare personnel', a 'Responsive care environment' and 'Responsiveness in the organization of palliative care'.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The four themes may be useful for guiding clinical practice and measurements of quality, with the overall goal of meeting future needs and improving quality in palliative care services to suit patients' preferences.
authors: Department of Nursing and Mental Health, Faculty of Public Health, Hedmark University College, Elverum, Norway Discipline of Nursing Science, Department of Health Science, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden Tuva.Sandsdalen@hihm.no.
authors: Tuva
authors: T
authors: Sandsdalen
authors: Department of Nursing and Mental Health, Faculty of Public Health, Hedmark University College, Elverum, Norway.
authors: Reidun
authors: R
authors: Hov
authors: Department of Nursing and Mental Health, Faculty of Public Health, Hedmark University College, Elverum, Norway.
authors: Sevald
authors: S
authors: Høye
authors: Discipline of Nursing Science, Department of Health Science, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden.
authors: Ingrid
authors: I
authors: Rystedt
authors: Department of Nursing and Mental Health, Faculty of Public Health, Hedmark University College, Elverum, Norway Discipline of Nursing Science, Department of Health Science, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden.
authors: Bodil
authors: B
authors: Wilde-Larsson
mesh_terms: D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care; D057240:Patient Preference; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000458:organization & administration
keywords: Patient preference; palliative care; quality of healthcare; review; systematic mixed studies review