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Do Available Questionnaires Measure the Communication Factors That Patients and Families Consider Important at End of Life?

Eva Grunfeld, Amy Folkes, Robin Urquhart

From the Cancer Outcomes Research Program, Cancer Care Nova Scotia; and Division of Medical Oncology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Corresponding author: Eva Grunfeld, MD, DPhil, Cancer Outcomes Research Program, Cancer Care Nova Scotia, 1278 Tower Route, Room 526, 5th Floor Bethune Building, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 2Y9; e-mail: eva.grunfeld{at}ccns.nshealth.ca

Patients with advanced cancer report wanting better communication. Our previous research identified five specific communication domains important to end-of-life (EOL) cancer care: communicating information, interpersonal communication, communicating available supportive care services, communicating a transition in the objectives of care, and interprofessional communication. A literature review was conducted to identify patient-, family member–, or heath professional–reported questionnaires to measure these specific communication domains. On the basis of specific criteria, including validity and evidence base, 10 questionnaires were identified that have the potential to measure and monitor the quality of communication during EOL cancer care. No single questionnaire measured all five domains. There is a need to further develop questionnaires that have the capacity to specifically measure those communication domains that are important to patients with cancer and their families at EOL.

Authors’ disclosures of potential conflicts of interest and author contributions are found at the end of this article.

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