To determine the factors considered important to people at the end of life, Steinhauser and her colleagues surveyed nearly 1500 study participants including seriously ill patients, recently bereaved family, physicians, nurses, social workers, clergy members and hospice volunteers.
Different groups placed different levels of importance on certain attributes. Those considered to be important to patients are in the related article.
The factors or attributes on this list are rated as important by more than 70% of all study participants and ranked in descending order by the attributes considered important to patients.
1. Be kept clean.
This was considered to be important by 99% of patients, 99% of bereaved family members, 99% physicians and 99% other care providers.2. Name a decision maker.
This was considered to be important by 98% of patients, 98% of bereaved family members, 98% physicians and 99% other care providers.3. Have a nurse with whom one feels comfortable.
This was considered to be important by 97% of patients, 98% of bereaved family members, 91% physicians and 98% other care providers.4. Know what to expect about one’s physical condition.
This was considered to be important by 96% of patients, 93% of bereaved family members, 88% physicians and 94% other care providers.5. Have someone who will listen.
This was considered to be important by 95% of patients, 98% of bereaved family members, 99% physicians and 99% other care providers.6. Maintain one’s dignity.
This was considered to be important by 95% of patients, 98% of bereaved family members, 99% physicians and 99% other care providers.7. Trust one's physician.
This was considered to be important by 94% of patients, 97% of bereaved family members, 99% physicians and 97% other care providers.8. Have financial affairs in order.
This was considered to be important by 94% of patients, 94% of bereaved family members, 91% physicians and 90% other care providers.9. Be free of pain.
This was considered to be important by 93% of patients, 95% of bereaved family members, 99% physicians and 97% other care providers.10. Maintain sense of humor.
This was considered to be important by 93% of patients, 87% of bereaved family members, 79% physicians and 85% other care providers._____________________________
Source: Steinhauser KE, Christakis NA, Clipp EC, et. al. Factors Considered Important at the End of Life by Patients, Family, Physicians, and Other Care Providers. JAMA. 2000;284:2476-2482.
