Perceived timeliness of referral to hospice palliative care among bereaved family members in Korea.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to explore the perceived timeliness of referral to hospice palliative care unit (HPCU) among bereaved family members in Korea and factors associated therewith.


METHODS
Cross-sectional questionnaire survey was performed for bereaved family members of patients who utilized 40 designated HPCUs across Korea. The questionnaire assessed whether admission to the HPCU was "too late" or "appropriate" and the Good Death Inventory (GDI).


RESULTS
A total of 383 questionnaires were analyzed. Of participants, 25.8 % replied that admission to HPCU was too late. Patients with hepatobiliary cancer, poor performance status, abnormal consciousness level, and unawareness of terminal status were significantly related with the too late perception. Family members with younger age and being a child of the patient were more frequently noted in the too late group. Ten out of 18 GDI scores were significantly lower in the too late group. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed patients' unawareness of terminal status, shorter stay in the HPCU, younger age of bereaved family, and lower scores for two GDI items (staying in a favored place, living without concerning death or disease) were significantly associated with the too late group.


CONCLUSIONS
To promote timely HPCU utilization and better quality of end of life care, patients need to be informed of the terminal status and their preference should be respected.
Palliative Care Clinic, Hospital, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea.
Hyun Jung
HJ
Jho
Yoon Jung
YJ
Chang
Hye Young
HY
Song
Jin Young
JY
Choi
Yeol
Y
Kim
Eun Jung
EJ
Park
Soo Jin
SJ
Paek
Hee Jae
HJ
Choi
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017051:Hospice Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006738:Hospices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010465:Perception; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D056910:Republic of Korea; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013998:Time Perception