Survey of directors of long-term care facilities on opinions about end-of-life care and director education / 医学教育

ABSTRACT

AIM: gradual shift, from hospitals to long-term care facilities, in where elderly people spend their last years is expected in Japan.Therefore, we performed a questionnaire survey to assess the opinions of directors of long-term care facilities about end-of-life care and director education.<BR>METHODS: In December 2006, data were collected through mailed, anonymous, and self-administered questionnaires. The subjects of this study were managing directors of 214 long-term care facilities in Nagoya City. Our questionnaire survey focused on the directors' attitudes about the following end-of-life issues 1) requirements for implementing progressive policies for end-of-life care, and 2) educational training for end-of-life care. For data analysis, we divided the facilities into three groups geriatric hospitals, geriatric health services facilities, and nursing homes.<BR>RESULTS: Directors of 82 facilities returned completed questionnaires (response rate, 38.3%). They regarded staff education concerning end-of-life care, outside medical support, private rooms for end-of-life care, and 24-hour availability of physicians or nurse as requirements for quality end-of-life care at long-term care facilities. Nursing-home directors felt more strongly about the need for 24-hour medical services for end-of-life care than did directors of other types of facilities.Also, most directors wanted to receive additional training about clients' decision-making processes, communi-cation skills, and legal issues related to end-of-life care.<BR>CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that staff education concerning end-of-life care and 24-hour medical services are required for quality end-of-life care at long-term care facilities for the elderly.