Multiple studies in EOL care identified good communication
as important to patients, families, and oncology
nurses. Albinsson and Strang (2003) asked 121
participants in a national course on palliative cancer
care to define the two most important measures to support
families of severely ill patients with cancer. Listening
was identified as important by 65% of participants
and giving information was identified by 52%.
Royak-Schaler et al. (2006) explored communication
regarding EOL care from the perspective of family
members of dying patients with cancer and concluded
that EOL care satisfaction was associated closely with
how the family perceived the quality of communication
from the healthcare team. The study reported that
families wanted timely and accurate information to
make informed decisions about EOL care.
In a study conducted by White, Coyne, and Patel
(2001), oncology nurses ranked how to communicate with
dying patients and their families as the number one EOL