Item – Theses Canada

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OCLC number
262717373
Link(s) to full text
LAC copy
LAC copy
Author
Young, Sandra K.(Sandra Keet-Sai),1973-
Title
Decision making needs of family caregivers of terminally ill patients regarding place of care at the end of life : a pilot study.
Degree
M. Sc. -- University of Ottawa, 2006
Publisher
Ottawa : Library and Archives Canada = Bibliothèque et Archives Canada, [2007]
Description
2 microfiches
Notes
Includes bibliographical references.
Abstract
'Objective.' To conduct a pilot study describing the decision making needs of family caregivers of terminally ill patients when making or supporting decisions regarding place of care at the end of life. 'Design.' A pilot needs assessment using a semi-structured interview questionnaire. 'Setting.' Palliative Care Unit (PCU), hospice, and a community served by a Palliative Care Consultant Team. 'Participants.' Convenience sample of 14 family caregivers of terminally ill patients. 'Outcome measures.' Standardized semi-structured interview guide and scales eliciting family caregivers': Perceptions of the decision (perceived options, stage and predisposition, decisional conflict, knowledge, expectations, values); perceptions of others (support, pressure, roles); personal and external resources; preferred resources; and participant and patient characteristics. 'Results.' Home, PCU, hospice, long term care facility, and hospital were identified as decision options, with home and PCU equally considered the best. Most participants were 'very sure' about their decision, considered it easy to make, perceived the patient to be 'very sure,' felt informed of the options and their pros and cons, had adequate support and advice, felt no pressure, preferred to share decision making, and had received information and emotional support. A minority of participants (3/14) expressed more decisional conflict as did those participants in earlier stages of decision making. The resource most needed was tangible support, and individual counseling and printed information were preferred over discussion groups and Internet information. 'Conclusion.' Family caregivers have important informational, emotional, financial, tangible, and decisional support needs. The results of this pilot study indicate that it is feasible to conduct this research with a larger, more diverse population with some revisions to the research methods. This study is a promising step in describing the decision making needs of family caregivers of terminally ill patients when making or supporting decisions regarding place of care at the end of life.
ISBN
9780494184820
0494184825