Table 27:
Summary of the Highest-Quality Evidence on Timing of Patient Care Planning Discussions
| Outcome | Results | GRADE |
|---|---|---|
| Patient's QoL | Earlier discussions were associated with greater QoL adjusted β = 0.003, P = 0.006a |
Low |
| Receiving chemotherapy at EoL | Earlier discussions were associated with lower receipt of chemotherapy in the last 14 days of life χ2: 17.057, P < 0.001a |
Low |
| Receiving hospital care | Earlier discussions were associated with less hospital care in the last 30 days of life χ2: 55.905, P < 0.001a |
Moderate |
| ICU care | Earlier discussions were associated with less ICU care in the last 30 days of life χ2: 16.606, P < 0.001a |
Low |
| Receiving hospice care | Earlier discussions were associated with receiving hospice care χ2: 50.756, P < 0.001a |
Moderate |
Abbreviations: EoL, end of life; GRADE, Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation; ICU, intensive care unit; QoL, quality of life.
a
Statistically significant at P ≤ 0.05.