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Preferences for end-of-life care settings among the healthy population in Israel—Related socio-demographic variables

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 June 2021

Yaira Hamama-Raz*
Affiliation:
Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
Yael Cohen
Affiliation:
Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
Menachem Ben-Ezra
Affiliation:
Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
*
Author for correspondence: Yaira Hamama-Raz, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel. E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Objective

Preferences for end-of-life (EoL) care settings is of considerable interest for developing public health policy and EoL care strategies. Culture, the cause of illness, and background characteristics may impact preferences. The present study aimed to explore preferences for EoL care settings: homes, hospitals, and inpatient hospice units among the general healthy population in Israel. Possible associations between the setting preferences and socio-demographic characteristics were also examined.

Method

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 311 healthy adults who were recruited through a representative internet panel of the Israeli population using the Israeli census sampling method. The sex ratio was almost 1:1 with 158 women (50.8%) and 153 men (49.2%). All participants completed self-report measures using an online survey system. The questionnaires assessed sociodemographics and preferences for EoL care settings.

Results

This survey revealed that 52.1% of the participants expressed preference for being cared for at home rather than in an inpatient hospice unit, 40.8% expressed being cared for at home rather than in a hospital, while 36.7% had no preference regarding being cared for in hospital or in a hospice unit. Among the socio-demographic variables, only age and gender were found to be significantly associated with preferences for EoL care settings.

Significance of results

The present study highlights the need to be cautious when regarding home as the preferred EoL care setting, as some individuals declared that they would prefer EoL hospice/hospital care. Age and gender should be considered when discussing and tailoring strategies regarding EoL preferences.

Type
Original Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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