Table 6.
Family members' ranked importance ratings of elements related to quality end-of-life care in long-term care home.
| Ranka | Care element (item)b | Rating, % respondents (n = 134) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extremely | Very | ||
| 1 | Staff are compassionate/supportive of resident (1) | 94 | 5.2 |
| 2 | Help with personal care when needed (6) | 90.3 | 9 |
| 3 | Care received when family not there (7) | 88.8 | 9.7 |
| 4 | Physical symptoms adequately assessed/managed (4) | 88.1 | 10.4 |
| 5 | Staff communicate to you straightforwardly/honestly (12) | 84.3 | 12.7 |
| 6 | Receive consistent information about resident's condition (13) | 80.6 | 14.2 |
| 6 | Health care workers work as a team (8) | 80.6 | 19.4 |
| 7 | Trust and confidence in the doctor (18) | 79.9 | 15.7 |
| 7 | Your role in decision-making about medical care LTC home (21) | 79.9 | 14.9 |
| 7 | The LTC staff listen to what you say (14) | 79.7 | 17.9 |
| 7 | Emotional problems adequately assessed/controlled (5) | 79.7 | 17.2 |
| 8 | Discuss options about hospital transfer with the staff (15) | 72.4 | 17.9 |
| 9 | Tests/treatments are given in the LTC home (3) | 70.9 | 26.9 |
| 9 | LTC home doctor takes a personal interest in relative (16) | 70.9 | 22.4 |
| 9 | You discuss palliative/comfort care measures with staff (20) | 70.1 | 20.1 |
| 9 | Discuss options with staff about relative's EOLC wishes (22) | 70.1 | 17.5 |
| 10 | Discuss options with staff about life sustaining technologies (19) | 69.4 | 20.9 |
| 11 | The care/treatment is consistent with wishes (11) | 67.9 | 26.1 |
| 12 | Environment is calm and restful (10) | 66.4 | 27.6 |
| 13 | LTC home doctor available when needed (17) | 65.7 | 24.6 |
| 14 | Management of financial costs (9) | 61.2 | 28.4 |
| 15 | Staff are compassionate/supportive of family member (2) | 43.3 | 29.9 |