Purpose of review: To summarize the latest research on the risks and consequences of the burden that may be imposed on informal carers of persons living and dying with advanced heart failure. Recent findings: A systematic search in PubMed over the period 2013–2014 ultimately revealed 24 original articles …

Context Most deaths in Western countries occur in hospital, but little is known about factors determining the quality of dying (QOD). Objectives The aim was to assess the QOD in hospital as experienced by relatives and identify factors related to QOD. Methods A cross-sectional study on 18 wards …

Determining the onset of the dying phase is important, because care aims and interventions change once this phase begins. In the dying phase, maximising comfort is paramount, even if doing so causes a deterioration of cognitive functions. In this delicate context, it is necessary to give special attention …

Dit onderzoek verkent 3 thema’s binnen de palliatieve zorg. Het eerste thema betreft een tweetal studies die zich verdiepen in de dagelijkse praktijk van huisartsen; de professionals die over het algemeen verantwoordelijk zijn voor de palliatieve zorg voor patiënten in de eerste lijn. Binnen het tweede …

In this paper, we explore the desires that play a role at the palliative stage and relate them to various approaches to patient autonomy. What attitude can physicians and other caregivers take to the desires of patients at the palliative stage? We examine this question by introducing five physicians …

This pilot study explores the reasons patients have for refusing chemotherapy, and the ways oncologists respond to them. Our hypothesis, generated from interviews with patients and oncologists, is that an ethical approach that views a refusal as an autonomous choice, in which patients are informed about …