RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 End-of-life transitions for family member on the solid tumour oncology ward: the 3 Wishes Project
JF BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care
JO BMJ Support Palliat Care
FD British Medical Journal Publishing Group
SP bmjspcare-2021-003138
DO 10.1136/bmjspcare-2021-003138
A1 Gwenyth Day
A1 Danielle Bear
A1 Marilyn Swinton
A1 Daniel Karlin
A1 Peter Phung
A1 Kelly McCann
A1 Allegra Bell
A1 Rayna McParlane
A1 Maria Carmela Granone
A1 Deborah J Cook
A1 Thanh H Neville
YR 2021
UL http://spcare.bmj.com/content/early/2021/09/01/bmjspcare-2021-003138.abstract
AB Objectives Although death is not uncommon for hospitalised patients with cancer, there are few interventions in oncology that are designed to create a dignified, compassionate end-of-life (EOL) experience for patients and families. The 3 Wishes Project (3WP), a programme in which clinicians elicit and implement final wishes for dying patients, has been shown effective in intensive care units (ICUs) at improving the EOL experience. The objective was to initiate 3WP on an oncology ward and evaluate its effect on family member experiences of their loved one’s EOL. We hypothesised that the 3WP can be implemented in the non-ICU setting and help oncological patients and their families with transition to the EOL.Methods When the patient’s probability of dying is greater than 95%, patients and families were invited to participate in the 3WP. Wishes were elicited, implemented and categorised. Audiorecorded, semistructured interviews were conducted with family members, transcribed and analysed using content analysis.Results 175 wishes were implemented for 52 patients with cancer (average cost of US$34). The most common wish (66%) was to personalise the environment. Qualitative analysis of 11 family member interviews revealed that the 3WP facilitates three transitions at the EOL: (1) the transition from multiple admissions to the final admission, (2) the transition of a predominantly caregiver role to a family member role and (3) the transition from a focus on the present to a focus on legacy.Conclusion The 3WP can be implemented on the oncology ward and enhance the EOL experience for hospitalised patients with cancer.Data are available on reasonable request. Anonymised data are available on request.