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Place of death: preferences among cancer patients and their carers

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  • Thomas, C
  • Morris, S.M
  • Clark, D

Abstract

The place of death of cancer patients has become an important theme in UK cancer and palliative care policy. This paper examines the place of death preferences of 41 terminally ill cancer patients and 18 of their informal carers, living in the Morecambe Bay area of north-west England. We interviewed cancer patients referred to the research team by 13 specialist palliative care professionals; patients had an estimated 3 months of life remaining. The study design involved an in-depth qualitative interview with each patient soon after referral to the study, followed by an interview some 4 weeks later and subsequent tracking interviews by telephone at 2-4 week intervals until death occurred. Interviews were also conducted with main coresident carers soon after patient referral to the study and again in the post-bereavement period. Thirteen factors were identified as shaping the place of death preference of patients and carers. These are organised into four thematic domains: the informal care resource, management of the body, experience of services, and existential perspectives. In documenting these factors, this paper adds significantly to current knowledge on the factors that shape place of death preference, a field of enquiry acknowledged to be underdeveloped (J. Palliative Med. 3 (2000) 287). More importantly, it uncovers some of the reasons that underpin these preferences. Our research revealed a much stronger preference for deaths in a hospice than had been anticipated, leading us to take a qualified stance on the current policy drive in favour of home deaths by those charged with delivering UK cancer and palliative care services.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas, C & Morris, S.M & Clark, D, 2004. "Place of death: preferences among cancer patients and their carers," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 58(12), pages 2431-2444, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:58:y:2004:i:12:p:2431-2444
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Leeson, George W., 2019. "The ageing and de-institutionalisation of death—Evidence from England and Wales," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 123(4), pages 435-439.
    2. Tang, Siew Tzuh & Liu, Tsang-Wu & Lai, Mei-Shu & McCorkle, Ruth, 2005. "Discrepancy in the preferences of place of death between terminally ill cancer patients and their primary family caregivers in Taiwan," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 61(7), pages 1560-1566, October.
    3. Lowton, Karen, 2009. "'A bed in the middle of nowhere': Parents' meanings of place of death for adults with cystic fibrosis," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 69(7), pages 1056-1062, October.
    4. Jakobsson, Eva & Bergh, Ingrid & Ohlen, Joakim & Oden, Anders & Gaston-Johansson, Fannie, 2007. "Utilization of health-care services at the end-of-life," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 82(3), pages 276-287, August.
    5. Kissane, Lee Andrew & Ikeda, Baku & Akizuki, Reiko & Nozaki, Shoko & Yoshimura, Kimio & Ikegami, Naoki, 2015. "End-of-life preferences of the general public: Results from a Japanese national survey," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 119(11), pages 1472-1481.
    6. Gielen, Birgit & Remacle, Anne & Mertens, Raf, 2010. "Patterns of health care use and expenditure during the last 6 months of life in Belgium: Differences between age categories in cancer and non-cancer patients," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 97(1), pages 53-61, September.
    7. Cohen, Joachim & Bilsen, Johan & Hooft, Peter & Deboosere, Patrick & Wal, Gerrit van der & Deliens, Luc, 2006. "Dying at home or in an institution: Using death certificates to explore the factors associated with place of death," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(2-3), pages 319-329, October.

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