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VOLUME 27 , ISSUE 5 ( May, 2023 ) > List of Articles

Original Article

A Nationwide Survey on the Practice of End-of-life Care Issues in Critical Care Units in India

Indu Kapoor, Charu Mahajan, Kapil Gangadhar Zirpe, Gaurav Kakkar, Harsh Sapra, Vasudha Singhal

Keywords : Critical care unit, End-of-life care, India, Terminally ill patient

Citation Information : Kapoor I, Mahajan C, Zirpe KG, Kakkar G, Sapra H, Singhal V. A Nationwide Survey on the Practice of End-of-life Care Issues in Critical Care Units in India. Indian J Crit Care Med 2023; 27 (5):305-314.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10071-24446

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 29-04-2023

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2023; The Author(s).


Abstract

Background: End-of-life (EOL) care is the care of terminally ill patients who are nearing their end. It includes important components like palliative care, supportive care, hospice care, patient's right to choose, and choice of medical intervention, including continuation of routine medical interventions. The aim of this survey was to assess the practices of EOL care in various critical care units in India. Methods: The participants included clinicians involved in EOL care of patients with advanced diseases in different hospital across India. We sent blast emails and posted links on social media for inviting participants to take the survey. Study data were collected and managed by using Google Forms. The collected information was automatically entered into a spread sheet and stored in a secure database. Results: In total, 91 clinicians took the survey. The years of experience, practice area, and setting had significant effect on the palliative care, terminal strategy, and prognostication in terminally ill patients (p < 0.05). Statistical analysis was done using software STATA. Descriptive statistics were performed, and results were presented as number (percentage). Conclusion: The years of work experience, the practice area, and the practice setting have a strong impact on EOL care management of terminally ill patients. There are a lot of gaps in providing EOL care for these patients. Many reforms are needed in the Indian health care system to make EOL care better.


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