Palliative care, preferences, quality of life, and informed decisions: a systematic review

Abstract

Background: The increasing prevalence of cancer necessitates the expansion of palliative care. Palliative care must consider the individual preferences of patients and their participation in treatment and end-of-life decisions, respecting their wishes and autonomy. Objective: This review aims to examine patient-centered care, informed decision-making, and quality of life in palliative care. Method: The PRISMA guidelines and the PICOS framework were applied. Articles were searched during March and April 2024 in the databases using Boolean operators. The studies are quantitative, including cross-sectional, randomized, and longitudinal studies. The PEDro scale was used to assess the quality of the articles. Results: Analysis of 26 articles reveals that individual preferences are respected in palliative care, leading to patient-centered care and improved well-being, especially in outpatient palliative care. However, discrepancies arise regarding quality of life and informed decision-making. Conclusion: The importance of early referral to palliative care and further research on decision- making and quality of life is highlighted.