Assessing the quality of care for people dying of cancer in hospital: development of the QualDeath framework

In 2022, WCMICS supported development of an evidence-based, systematic appraisal framework for reviewing the quality of dying experience for patients with advanced cancer.

The framework offers 4 levels of potential implementation for hospitals to select from, and incorporates medical record review, multidisciplinary meetings, quality of end-of-life care surveys, and bereavement interviews with family carers.

The QualDeath project is an initiative aimed at improving the quality of end-of-life care through research, education, and policy advocacy. The project focuses on understanding the diverse experiences and needs of individuals facing terminal illness, as well as their families and caregivers. Through the integration of qualitative research methods, the project sought to uncover the nuanced aspects of end-of-life care that quantitative approaches might overlook. The project also highlighted the importance of cultural, social, and personal factors in shaping end-of-life experiences.

Key project activities included:

• Data Collection: Gathering qualitative data from diverse populations, including patients, families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.
• Analysis and Reporting: Analyzing data to identify key themes and insights, and publishing reports to disseminate findings.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborating with healthcare providers, policymakers, and advocacy groups to implement recommendations and improve practices.

The QualDeath project aims to inform and influence healthcare practices and policies to ensure compassionate, patient-centred care for individuals at the end of life, specifically

• Improve the quality of life for individuals at the end of life through more personalized and compassionate care.
• Equip healthcare professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to address the unique needs of terminally ill patients and their families.
• Influence policy and healthcare practices to prioritize quality end-of-life care as a fundamental aspect of the healthcare system.

By focusing on the qualitative aspects of end-of-life care, the QualDeath project seeks to ensure that individuals can experience a dignified and meaningful conclusion to their lives, supported by a compassionate and understanding healthcare system.

Impacts

The QualDeath framework provides hospitals with recommendations to formalise processes to evaluate end-of-life care. Although QualDeath was underpinned by several research methods, further research is needed to rigorously explore its impact and test its feasibility.

These findings were published in Australian Health Review.