Design-Related Impacts on End-of-Life Experience: A Brief Report of Findings from an Exploratory Qualitative Study.
Michelle Knox
PMID 36222280WHAT IT FOUND
End-of-life patients and families wanted private rooms with safe windows, garden views, storage, and nearby nature.
Staff flagged missing family laundry, showers, quiet retreat spaces, and child play areas as gaps.
Key findings
01The analysis produced six socio-spatial dimensions thought to shape end-of-life experiences.
02Secure windows overlooking garden spaces and letting in sunlight emerged as the most common patient room need, followed by storage space.
03Family shower and laundry facilities were described as essential for families staying overnight with very ill patients.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study used convenience sampling and exploratory methods, so it did not reach data saturation. Only staff, a healthcare manager, and a provincial decisionmaker were interviewed; patients and families were not interviewed directly. Patient and family comments were captured only when they initiated conversation during observations, so their experiences may be incomplete. The study included only two sites in Alberta, Canada, and the authors say the findings are not expected to apply to every end-of-life care facility. Some aspects of socio-spatial experience may have been missed.
Declared interests
The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these themes as evidence that redesigning end-of-life spaces improves patient or family outcomes. The study was small, used convenience sampling, did not reach data saturation, and did not directly interview patients or families.