Optimising end of life care

摘要

Wright and colleagues conclude that patients receiving palliative chemotherapy who have an estimated life expectancy of six months are more likely than those not receiving palliative chemotherapy to experience intensive medical end of life care.1 The authors previously showed that end of life discussions in early stage disease are associated with decreased "aggressive" care.2 We support the identification of early predictors for intensive medical treatment as a possible indicator of poor quality end of life care, although we favour a more individualised approach.