Abstract
Abstract Given the aging of the population, an increase in the number of persons in need of long-term care and end-of-life care can be expected in the coming years. The scientific literature underlines the lack of end-of-life care for elderly people in long-term care centres. The aim of this study is to explore needs in terms of new knowledge and research on end-of-life care for elderly persons in long-term care settings, from the perspective not only of the scientific and international community, but also of Quebec professionals concerned by the issue. An online survey using the LimeSurvey® tool was conducted in 2015 among health professionals involved in end-of-life care for elderly persons in long-term care settings in Quebec. 208 professionals rated the priority of new knowledge and research needs related to 1) health professionals; 2) delivery and quality of care; 3) residents and their loved ones; and 4) organization and management of care. The results show that the statements collected in scientific literature resonate with health professionals. The most important need is to identify the symptoms of distress in residents in the final stages of their lives, as well as their causes and treatments. This study also shows professionals’ concerns about attitudes, beliefs, and values of practitioners and the related impacts on end-of-life care in long-term care settings. This study shows that there is a significant need for new knowledge and research. It revealed that there are few studies on end-of-life care for elderly persons in long-term care settings and that there is much more to be discovered in this field.
Highlights
In Quebec, as in other contemporary Western societies, death generally strikes at a late age, past 65 years of age, as is attested by the fact that four out of five deaths occur in this segment of the population
The aim of the present study is to explore needs in terms of new knowledge and research on end-of-life care for elderly persons in long-term care settings, from the perspective of the scientific and international community, and of Quebec professionals concerned by the issue
Statements Q1 to Q13 concern new knowledge and research needs related to health professionals, statements Q14 to Q24 concern needs related to care delivery and quality, statements Q25 to Q36 concern needs related to residents and their loved ones, and statements Q37 to Q41 concern needs related to organization and management of care
Summary
In Quebec, as in other contemporary Western societies, death generally strikes at a late age, past 65 years of age, as is attested by the fact that four out of five deaths occur in this segment of the population. Given the aging of the population, a dramatic increase in the number of deaths can be expected in the coming years[8] This trend will signify an increase in the number of persons affected by chronic and degenerative diseases, who will need long-term care and end-of-life care. According to a report by Shang[9] on palliative care in long-term care settings, end-of life care forms part of residents’ regular care pathway. In other words, it is not a distinct practice unto itself. The act respecting end-of-life care represents a turning point for care establishments, including CHLSDs, requiring them to adopt policies and programs for end-of-life care, individual institutions are free to organize their care environments as they wish
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