Perspectives of Healthcare Professionals Regarding Dignity and End-of-Life Care for the Elderly: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Dignity is key in the management of older patients as they approach the terminal phase of their lives. Thus, an in-depth investigation of healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) viewpoints on this subject is pertinent. This study aims to systematically review the perspectives of HCPs regarding dignity and end-of-life care for elderly patients. Utilising the PRISMA guideline, 23 articles were included in the systematic literature review following a comprehensive literature search of three electronic databases: MEDLINE, PubMed, and ScienceDirect. Five broad themes emerged from the analysed articles and were summarised as the main findings: HCPs’ understanding of dignity and patient needs, holistic patient‐centred care, family support, coordination of healthcare systems, and uncertainty at the end of life and factors affecting advanced care planning. Overall, HCPs agree on various critical aspects of treatment in end-of-life care for older patients, especially relating to respect for patient autonomy, holistic and patient-centred care, and the family’s role. Accumulated evidence suggests substantial progress in providing patient-centred care and recognising the family’s role in dignified care for older patients. Nevertheless, more improvement is needed in the area of coordinating healthcare systems, uncertainty about disease prognosis, advanced care planning, and communicating effectively regarding the goals of care and limitations of treatment options.