A Focus Group to Explore the Views of Patients with Non-malignant Lung Disease About End of Life Planning and Care

1 Background
There is a lack of research into end of life care for patients with COPD. Guidelines suggest that end of life planning is incorporated into pulmonary rehabilitation.
2. Aims and objectives.
To obtain an insight into views, attitudes and beliefs of patients with COPD about issues relating to end of life care.
3. Methods
A focus group was held with pulmonary rehabilitation patients. Basic content analysis was used to describe patients views expressed. Data was coded and grouped into categories that were given titles to encompass the content.
4. Results
Four themes emerged. (1)Low priority for end of life planning. (2) Hostility towards hospice involvement. (3) Desire to extend and maximise life. (4) Lack of public awareness. Patients were hostile to the inclusion of end of life planning within their current care pathways. They believed that the involvement of hospice intervention was inappropriate other than at imminent death. Rather, patients wanted facilitation to extend life and maximise lifestyle. There was enthusiasm about receiving ventilation to extend life. A lack of public sympathy was described as more stressful than the thought of dying.
5. Discussion
The audit provided surprising data about patient views of end of life care. The results will help inform local end of life policy. The sample used may have been more optimistic than those with end - stage COPD, therefore the results cannot be generalized. However, the sample was representative of patients attending pulmonary rehabilitation, calling into question guidelines on the inclusion of end of life planning in programmes. A survey of this topic using a broader sample is now warranted.