TY - JOUR
T1 - Approaches for end-of-life care in the field of gynecologic oncology
T2 - An exploratory study
AU - Ramondetta, Lois M.
AU - Tortolero-Luna, G.
AU - Bodurka, D. C.
AU - Sills, D.
AU - Basen-Engquist, K.
AU - Gano, J.
AU - Levenback, C.
N1 - Copyright:
Copyright 2008 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2004/7
Y1 - 2004/7
N2 - We sought to explore the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO) members' opinions and decisions about end-of-life issues and incurable conditions. A survey was mailed to members of the SGO. Their responses were recorded on a Liked scale and entered into a database. The survey explored opinions, experiences, and decisions in managing terminally ill gynecologic oncology patients. Of 900 surveys, 327 were returned (response rate, 36%). Seventy-three percent were men, 89% were white, and 72% were of Christian denomination. Respondents believed that 97% of patients who are dying realize that they are dying but stated only 40% of these patients initiate conversations about end-of-life issues. In contrast, 92% of respondents stated that they initiate end-of-life discussions with patients. Ninety-two percent of respondents thought that the patients should be allowed to make end-of-life choices independently after the facts are given to them. However, 44% thought that it is important to influence the way information is presented, and 54% believe that the gynecologic oncologist (GO) controls the outcome of end-of-life discussions. Although the physicians' sex, race, religion, and age did not correlate with their treatment decisions, religion did correlate with less fear of death (P = 0.011) and less discomfort when talking with patients about death (P = 0.005). Fifty-four percent of respondents believed that the GO controls the outcome of end-of-life discussions, and 40% believe that their actions prolong the process of dying. Expanding our understanding of what motivates GOs to recommend continued treatment over palliation is important for preserving informed patient-motivated end-of-life decisions.
AB - We sought to explore the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO) members' opinions and decisions about end-of-life issues and incurable conditions. A survey was mailed to members of the SGO. Their responses were recorded on a Liked scale and entered into a database. The survey explored opinions, experiences, and decisions in managing terminally ill gynecologic oncology patients. Of 900 surveys, 327 were returned (response rate, 36%). Seventy-three percent were men, 89% were white, and 72% were of Christian denomination. Respondents believed that 97% of patients who are dying realize that they are dying but stated only 40% of these patients initiate conversations about end-of-life issues. In contrast, 92% of respondents stated that they initiate end-of-life discussions with patients. Ninety-two percent of respondents thought that the patients should be allowed to make end-of-life choices independently after the facts are given to them. However, 44% thought that it is important to influence the way information is presented, and 54% believe that the gynecologic oncologist (GO) controls the outcome of end-of-life discussions. Although the physicians' sex, race, religion, and age did not correlate with their treatment decisions, religion did correlate with less fear of death (P = 0.011) and less discomfort when talking with patients about death (P = 0.005). Fifty-four percent of respondents believed that the GO controls the outcome of end-of-life discussions, and 40% believe that their actions prolong the process of dying. Expanding our understanding of what motivates GOs to recommend continued treatment over palliation is important for preserving informed patient-motivated end-of-life decisions.
KW - End-of-life care
KW - Gynecologic neoplasms
KW - Gynecologic oncology
KW - Palliative care
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=4043133858&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=4043133858&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1048-891X.2004.14402.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1048-891X.2004.14402.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 15304150
AN - SCOPUS:4043133858
SN - 1048-891X
VL - 14
SP - 580
EP - 588
JO - International Journal of Gynecological Cancer
JF - International Journal of Gynecological Cancer
IS - 4
ER -