Abstract
The purpose of this policy brief is to bring attention to the urgent systems-level matters that impede progress in improving end-of-life care in the United States. Despite advances in care of the dying over the last 20 years, many recalcitrant system-level barriers prevent high-quality end-of-life care that is consistent with clinical and ethical standards and reasonably adheres to patient and family wishes for care and compassion. A major barrier is the orientation of health care toward rescue medicine despite the fact that most deaths today result from long-standing chronic disease. Recommendations for policy changes are suggested, and nursing's role in advocating for policy change is explored.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 363-368 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of Professional Nursing |
Volume | 25 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 2009 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- End-of-life
- Palliative care
- Policy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Nursing