Communication and Quality of Care on Palliative Care Units: A Qualitative Study

Clinician-patient communication is central in palliative care, but it has not been described qualitatively which specific elements of communication are important for high-quality palliative care, particularly in the inpatient setting.

Our aim was to identify elements of communication that are central to quality of care and satisfaction with care on palliative care units (PCUs), as described by inpatients, family caregivers, and health care providers.

Qualitative interviews with patients/caregivers and focus groups with staff were conducted on four PCUs. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups elicited thoughts about the characteristics of satisfaction with care and quality of care for PCU inpatients and their family caregivers. Data were analyzed using a grounded theory method with an inductive, constant comparison approach; themes were coded to saturation.

There were 46 interviews and eight focus groups. Communication was the most prevalent theme regarding satisfaction and quality of care, with five subthemes describing elements important to patients, caregivers, and staff. These included: 1) building rapport with patients and families to build trust and kinship; 2) addressing expectations and explaining goals of care; 3) keeping patients and families informed about the patient's condition; 4) listening actively to validate patients' concerns and individual needs; and 5) providing a safe space for conversations about death and dying.

Patients, family caregivers, and health care providers affirmed that communication is a central element of quality of care and family satisfaction on PCUs. The five subthemes identified may serve as a structure for education and for quality improvement tools in palliative care inpatient settings.