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Using the LCP: Bereaved Relatives' Assessments of Communication and Bereavement

Department of Public Health, University Medical Center

Agnes van der Heide, MD, PhD

Department of Public Health, University Medical Center, a.vanderheide{at}erasmusmc.nl

Elsbeth de Vogel-Voogt, PhD

Department of Public Health, University Medical Center

René de Bakker, MD

Nursing Home de Blaauwe Hoeve, Stichting Curamus, Hulst

Carin C. D. van der Rijt, MD, PhD

Department of Medical of Oncology, Erasmus MC-Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center, Rotterdam

Siebe J. Swart, MD

Nursing Home Laurens Antonius Ysselmonde, Rotterdam the Netherlands

Paul J. van der Maas, MD, PhD

Department of Public Health, University Medical Center

Lia van Zuylen, MD, PhD

Department of Medical Oncology Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam

The Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP) is aimed at improving care and communication in the dying phase. The authors studied whether use of the LCP affects relatives' retrospective evaluation of communication and their level of bereavement. An intervention study was conducted. During the baseline period, usual care was provided to dying patients. During the intervention period, the LCP was used for 79% of the patients. In total, bereaved relatives filled in a questionnaire for 57% of the patients, on average 4 months after death. In the intervention period, relatives had lower bereavement levels when compared with relatives in the baseline period (P = .01). Communication was evaluated similarly for both periods. We conclude that LCP use during the dying phase seems to moderately contribute to lower levels of bereavement in relatives.

Key Words: Liverpool Care Pathway • intervention study • dying phase • multicenter study • relatives' evaluation • communication • bereavement

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