Concept Analysis of End-of-Life Care

Introduction: The inevitability of human mortality encourages the care system to enhance the quality of life (QOL) at the end of life. However, the main problem is that the boundaries of care as end-of-life care (EOLC) have not been defined precisely. Hence, this study aimed to clarify the concept of EOLC.

Methods: This study was conducted based on Walker and Avant’s eight-step approach (2019). A detailed review of the literature was accomplished in the databases including PubMed/Medline, Web of Sciences, Scopus, EMBASE, and Google Scholar from January 2010 to September 2020 using the keywords ‘Terminal Care’, ‘Hospice Care’, ‘Nursing Palliative Care’, and ‘End of Life’. Out of a total of 302 articles obtained, 14 articles were included in the study.

Results: The properties of EOLC included the following items: palliative care; improving QOL; reducing pain and suffering from physical, psychological, and psychological symptoms; and filling the gap between treatment teams and family caregivers through considering ethical issues and respecting patients’ independence. Furthermore, through taking a team approach, EOLC helps the family with physical, emotional, social, and spiritual supports. EOLC is a comprehensive and compassionate process that does not hasten or delay death, but respects and comforts the patient.

Conclusion: The EOLC can be defined as a palliative and humanistic care with a holistic and team-based approach focusing on all dimensions of the patients and their families. It also improves well-being at the end of life or even at the time of death, and helps the families with their grieves.