Actual and preferred place of death of cancer patients. Results from the Italian survey of the dying of cancer (ISDOC)

• DOI: 10.1136/jech.2005.043646
• Publication Date: 2006-04-13T20:35:15Z
• Authors: M. Beccaro
• Keywords: Place of death; Health Professionals

To describe actual and preferred place of death Italian cancer patients to analyse the preferences met regarding death.Mortality follow back survey 2000 deaths, identified with a two stage probability sample representative whole country. Information on patients' experience was gathered from non-professional caregiver an interview. A section interview covered information patients.30 local health districts randomly selected after stratification in four geographical areas.1900 (95.0%) caregivers deaths identified.Prevalence places death.Valid interviews were obtained for 66.9% (n = 1271) caregivers. Place home 57.9% patients, hospital 34.6%, hospice 0.7%, nursing 6.5%, ambulance 0.4%. Wide significant differences within Italy seen (home ranged between 94.0% south 28.2% north east). Home 93.5% that expressed preference, minimal country (between 89.5% 99.0%). Overall 67.1% died where they die.Policymakers should encourage services focus ways meeting individual death. As most effective programmes enable remain at be implemented.