End-of-life dreams and visions: A systematic integrative review.

Hession, A; Luckett, T; Chang, S; Currow, D; Barbato, M

End-of-life dreams and visions: A systematic integrative review.

Hession, A Luckett, T

Chang, S

Currow, D

Barbato, M

Permalink

Publisher:: CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Palliat Support Care, 2022, pp. 1-10
Issue Date:: 2022-08-01

Open Access

Copyright Clearance Process

Recently Added
In Progress
Open Access

This item is open access.

Adobe PDF

Download Accepted versionAdobe PDF (472.54 kB)

View on publisher's site

View statistics

Full metadata record

Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Hession, A
dc.contributor.author	Luckett, T https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6121-5409
dc.contributor.author	Chang, S https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0723-3192
dc.contributor.author	Currow, D https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1988-1250
dc.contributor.author	Barbato, M
dc.date.accessioned	2023-02-02T00:07:47Z
dc.date.available	2023-02-02T00:07:47Z
dc.date.issued	2022-08-01
dc.identifier.citation	Palliat Support Care, 2022, pp. 1-10
dc.identifier.issn	1478-9515
dc.identifier.issn	1478-9523
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/165809
dc.description.abstract	OBJECTIVES: End-of-life dreams and visions (ELDVs) have been reported throughout history. We aimed to synthesize the research literature on ELDVs to determine the proportions of patients, bereaved families, healthcare professionals, and volunteers reporting ELDVs; ELDV content, timing, and interpretation; and any evidence-based approaches to ELDV-related care. METHODS: A systematic review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD4021282929). CINAHL, Medline, Embase, Emcare, and APA PsycInfo were searched for peer-reviewed English language articles reporting qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods studies that explored reports of ELDVs by patients, bereaved families, healthcare professionals, or volunteers. Synthesis used both meta-analysis and a narrative approach. RESULTS: Of 2,045 papers identified by searches, 22 were included, describing 18 studies in a variety of settings. Meta-analyses indicated that 77% (95% confidence intervals [CIs] 69-84%) of patients (n = 119) reported an ELDV compared with 32% (95% CIs 21-44%) of bereaved relatives (n = 2,444) and that 80% (95% CIs 59-94%) of healthcare professionals (n = 171) reported either witnessing or being told of an ELDV in the preceding 5 years. Studies of volunteers reported 34% (95% CIs 20-48%) (n = 45) either witnessing or being told of an ELDV over their entire period of service, with 49% of volunteers (95% CIs 33-64%) (n = 39) reporting events occurring in the preceding year. ELDVs reported by patients, bereaved families, healthcare professionals, and volunteers were perceived as being a source of comfort. Healthcare professionals and volunteers expressed a need for further education on how to support patients experiencing ELDVs and their families. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: ELDVs are experienced by the majority of dying patients and need consideration in delivering holistic end-of-life care. Little if any research has been conducted in acute care facilities.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS
dc.relation.ispartof	Palliat Support Care
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1017/S1478951522000876
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	1117 Public Health and Health Services
dc.subject.classification	Oncology & Carcinogenesis
dc.title	End-of-life dreams and visions: A systematic integrative review.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.location.activity	England
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/IMPACCT
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Public Health
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2023-02-02T00:07:46Z
pubs.publication-status	Published online

Abstract:

OBJECTIVES: End-of-life dreams and visions (ELDVs) have been reported throughout history. We aimed to synthesize the research literature on ELDVs to determine the proportions of patients, bereaved families, healthcare professionals, and volunteers reporting ELDVs; ELDV content, timing, and interpretation; and any evidence-based approaches to ELDV-related care. METHODS: A systematic review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD4021282929). CINAHL, Medline, Embase, Emcare, and APA PsycInfo were searched for peer-reviewed English language articles reporting qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods studies that explored reports of ELDVs by patients, bereaved families, healthcare professionals, or volunteers. Synthesis used both meta-analysis and a narrative approach. RESULTS: Of 2,045 papers identified by searches, 22 were included, describing 18 studies in a variety of settings. Meta-analyses indicated that 77% (95% confidence intervals [CIs] 69-84%) of patients (n = 119) reported an ELDV compared with 32% (95% CIs 21-44%) of bereaved relatives (n = 2,444) and that 80% (95% CIs 59-94%) of healthcare professionals (n = 171) reported either witnessing or being told of an ELDV in the preceding 5 years. Studies of volunteers reported 34% (95% CIs 20-48%) (n = 45) either witnessing or being told of an ELDV over their entire period of service, with 49% of volunteers (95% CIs 33-64%) (n = 39) reporting events occurring in the preceding year. ELDVs reported by patients, bereaved families, healthcare professionals, and volunteers were perceived as being a source of comfort. Healthcare professionals and volunteers expressed a need for further education on how to support patients experiencing ELDVs and their families. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: ELDVs are experienced by the majority of dying patients and need consideration in delivering holistic end-of-life care. Little if any research has been conducted in acute care facilities.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/165809