Older Patients' Perspectives on Quality of Serious Illness Care in Primary Care.

Only 20 patients from one suburban primary care clinic were interviewed, so the themes may not represent other settings or populations. All participants were enrolled in an advance care planning quality improvement initiative and may have been more aware of quality-of-care concepts than other patients. Most patients were at risk for serious illness rather than confirmed to have it, and some had no current serious illness, though many reflected on family experiences. Patients who declined interviews, non-English speakers, and patients outside white and African American racial groups were not included, so perspectives may differ. The study reports patient perceptions and priorities, not whether any communication or coordination practice improved patient outcomes. Pain, symptom, spiritual, and cultural needs were not emphasized by these patients, which does not mean they are unimportant for other patients.

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest. The funding source was not stated in the supplied text.

Do not conclude that these five themes prove better communication improves serious illness outcomes, or that pain, symptom, spiritual, and cultural needs can be deprioritized. The study reports patient perceptions in a small primary care sample, not tested effects.