Table 1.
Domains of palliative care from (selected) prior literature
| Study/Method | Subjects | Domains |
| Singer et al (10) | Outpatients on dialysis or with human immunodeficiency virus | Receiving adequate pain and symptom management |
| Qualitative: In-person, open-ended interviews | Residents of long term care facility | Avoiding inappropriate prolongation of dying |
| Achieving a sense of control | ||
| Relieving burden | ||
| Strengthening relationships with loved ones | ||
| Steinhauser et al (9) | Outpatients with cancer or human immunodeficiency virus | Pain and symptom management |
| Qualitative: Focus groups and in-person interviews | Bereaved family members | Clear decision making |
| Healthcare professionals and volunteers | Preparation for death | |
| Completion | ||
| Contributing to others | ||
| Affirmation of the whole person | ||
| Teno et al (8) | Bereaved family members | Provides physical comfort to patients |
| Qualitative: Focus groups | Helps patients take control over decisions about medical care and daily routines | |
| Relieves family burden of being present at all times to advocate for the patient | ||
| Educates family to care for their loved ones at home | ||
| Provides family with emotional support before and after the patient’s death | ||
| Heyland et al (16) | Hospital in-patients with “serious illness” and their families (50% risk of death within 6 months) | Highest ratings among 28 items: |
| Quantitative: Questionnaire-based interview | Trust and confidence in physicians | |
| Avoidance of unwanted life support | ||
| Communication with physician | ||
| Life completion including life review, resolving conflicts, and saying goodbye | ||
| Symptom relief | ||
| National Consensus Project for Quality Palliative Care (6) | Professional consensus | Structure and processes of care |
| Consortium of U.S. palliative care organizations | Physical aspects of care | |
| Psychological and psychiatric aspects of care | ||
| Social aspects of care | ||
| Spiritual, religious, and existential aspects of care | ||
| Cultural aspects of care | ||
| Care of the imminently dying patient | ||
| Ethical and legal aspects of care | ||
| Critical Care Peer Workgroup - Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Promoting Excellence in End-of-Life Care Project (7) |
Professional consensus | Symptom management and comfort care |
| Patient and family-centered decision making | ||
| Communication within the team and with patients and families | ||
| Emotional and practical support for patients and families | ||
| Spiritual support for patients and families | ||
| Continuity of care | ||
| Emotional and organizational support for intensive care unit clinicians |