End of life care for terminally ill-patients in North West of Iran

Nowadays chronic disease and number of elderly population climb in low and middle-income countries and need for high-quality hospice care services for them. The aim of this study was to review the experience of hospitalized end of life (EOL) patients and their family’s regarding hospice care.

In this qualitative study with the phenomenological approach, 20 patients and their families were chosen using purposive sampling to achieve data saturation from the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences Hospitals, Iran. The required data were collected using in deep semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Diekelmann method.

Patients and their family’s experiences included 7 main themes: lack of special education for healthcare providers, preferences, financial problems, health care quality, lack of providing information to patients and their families, limitation in life due to disease, burdens to EOL care for family.

Due to the lack of experience in hospice care in Iran, patients, families and health care provider not have adequate knowledge about hospice. The cost of this service is high, and qualities of these services are low. Furthermore provide educational courses for patients, families and health care provider and decrease of cost and improve of quality are necessary.