Using a prediction of death in the next 12 months as a prompt for referral to palliative care acts to the detriment of patients with heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Small, Neil A. Gardiner, C. Barnes, S. Gott, M. Payne, S. Seamark, D. Halpin, D.
Small, Neil A.
Gardiner, C.
Barnes, S.
Gott, M.
Payne, S.
Seamark, D.
Halpin, D.
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2010-10
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Abstract
Dear Editor
In undertaking studies of palliative care in heart failure
and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
in the UK, we identified procedural, conceptual and
ethical challenges that may arise from one feature of
The End of Life Care Strategy for England.1 The strategy
presents the question, ‘Would I be surprised if the
person in front of me was to die in the next six months
or one year?’ as a prompt to initiate discussion of endof-life
care needs and preferences (paragraph 3.23). We
believe this question is inappropriate in heart failure
and COPD and its use will inhibit the initiation of a
palliative care approach with these patients.
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Small NA, Gardiner C, Barnes S et al (2010) Using a prediction of death in the next 12 months as a prompt for referral to palliative care acts to the detriment of patients with heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [Letter to the editor]. Palliative Medicine. 24(7): 740-741.
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