Preferred Place of Care and Death in Terminally Ill Patients with Lung and Heart Disease Compared to Cancer Patients

OBJECTIVES: The dual aim of this study is, first, to describe preferred place of care (PPOC) and preferred place of death (PPOD) in terminally ill patients with lung and heart diseases compared with cancer patients and second, to describe differences in level of anxiety among patients with these diagnoses.

BACKGROUND: Previous research on end-of-life preferences focuses on cancer patients, most of whom identify home as their PPOC and PPOD. These preferences may, however, not mirror those of patients suffering from nonmalignant fatal diseases.

DESIGN: The study was designed as a cross-sectional study.

SETTING: Eligible patients from the recruiting departments filled in questionnaires regarding sociodemographics, PPOC and PPOD, and level of anxiety.

RESULTS: Of the 354 eligible patients, 167 patients agreed to participate in the study. Regardless of their diagnosis, most patients wished to be cared for and to die at home. Patients with cancer and heart diseases chose hospice as their second most common preference for both PPOC and PPOD, whereas patients with lung diseases chose nursing home and hospice equally frequent as their second most common preference. Regardless of their diagnosis, all patients had a higher level of anxiety than the average Danish population; patients with heart diseases had a much higher level of anxiety than patients with lung diseases and cancer.

CONCLUSION: Patient preferences for PPOC and PPOD vary according to their diagnoses; tailoring palliative needs to patients' preferences is important regardless of their diagnosis.