In:
Journal of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Vol. 25, No. 18_suppl ( 2007-06-20), p. 20004-20004
Abstract:
20004 Background: Clinicians and parents report that end-of-life (EoL) care discussions and decision making are complex, difficult and affected by personal, family, and disease and treatment factors. The influence of race on EoL discussions and decision making has not been carefully examined in a large pediatric oncology study. The purpose of this study was to assess if race (white, black, Hispanic) influenced the quantity or timing of end-of-life care discussions and decisions. Methods: This abstract represents a retrospective chart review leading to the creation of an EoL database of pediatric oncology patients at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital who died during the time period of July 01, 2001 to February 28, 2005. Eligibility criteria were oncologic diagnosis, and patient age less than 21.99 years of age at the time of death. After strict application of the eligibility criteria, a total of 380 patients met study inclusion criteria. The effect of race on the quantity and timing of EoL discussions and decision making was then analyzed from the database. All extracted data were validated by a different team member as was the accuracy of all entered data. The association of race with other factors was assessed using regression analysis and chi-squared testing statistics. Results: None of the following differed by race: the total number of EoL discussions before an EoL decision was made (p=0.58); the total time from the first such discussion to a specific EoL decision (p=0.23–0.68), the total time from the first discussion to the patient’s death (p=0.105), or having a DNR in place at the time of death (p=0.55). Conclusions: In this cohort of patients from a tertiary referral center, race is not a significant factor on the quantity and timing of EoL discussions and decision making in pediatric oncology patients. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0732-183X
,
1527-7755
DOI:
10.1200/jco.2007.25.18_suppl.20004
Language:
English
Publisher:
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
Publication Date:
2007
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2005181-5
