When hospice is the best option: an opportunity to redefine goals

More than 50% of patients diagnosed with cancer in 2008 died in the same year, according to estimates from the American Cancer Society. Clearly, while survival rates for many cancers continue to improve, a significant number of patients with cancer will not survive their disease. Hospice care provides terminally ill patients with a unique set of benefits, services, and support. Its goal is neither to prolong life nor hasten death, but rather to provide total care that maximizes quality of life. Less than one-third of patients receive hospice care near the end of life, however, and many referred patients die within days. Many barriers and misconceptions related to hospice care can prevent timely referrals and impede discussions. Also, conversations about goals of care, treatment preferences, and advanced care planning can be challenging and overwhelming. This article reviews the hospice care model and highlights ways in which oncology nurses can make a difference in how patients live their final days.