Palliative Care: Research and Treatment

¹Professor and Ziegler Chair of Palliative Care Nursing, Director, Sooner Palliative Care Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center College of Nursing. ²Adjunct Professor, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center College of Nursing.

Abstract

Objective: This study sought to document Oklahomans knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding palliative care; this paper focuses on subjects stated preferences for where they would choose to die.

Design:  Quantitative study used a random state-wide telephone sample of Oklahoma residents.

Subjects:  Data from 804 residents in the State of Oklahoma between November and December (2005).

Results:  An overwhelming majority of the respondents (80%) reported preference to die at home in the event that they suffer a terminal illness. The proportion of respondents under the age of 65 who preferred to die at home (80.9%) was slightly higher than those aged 65 and over (74.8%). Also, while 81.4% of the female respondents reported preference for dying at home, 75.8% of the male respondents shared such preference (P    0.05). More married respondents (82.7%) than non-married respondents (74.7%) reported preference for dying at home (P   0.01). A significant association (P   0.05) between income level and preference for dying at home was noted. While 84.3% of those with income level at $21,000 or more reported reference for dying at home, 76.4% of those with income below $21,000 reported the same preference.

Conclusions:  This paper offers insight into factors that influence Oklahoman’s stated preferences for site of death that can assist the statewide agenda in the planning and provision of palliative care. This information can be adapted in other states or countries to determine palliative care needs.