Factors Affecting the Improvement of Quality of Dying of Terminally Ill Patients with Cancer through Palliative Care: A Ten-Year Experience
Journal of Palliative Medicine, 07/16/2012
Exclusive author commentary
Cheng SY et al. – The authors found that late referral to the unit and low physician–assessed autonomy were key factors negatively affecting quality of dying. Earlier truth–tellling and end–of–life care discussions between physicians and patients might improve the quality of dying in this population.
Shao-Yi Cheng (07/16/2012) comments:
This is the first evaluation of factors affecting the quality of dying of terminally ill cancer patients in an inpatient palliative care unit in Asia. We found patient autonomy is an important determinant. We aim to further investigate the issue of patient autonomy in consecutive articles.
