Abstract:
Palliative care impacts the well-being of terminally ill patients by addressing quality of life (QOL) issues (Cohen, Boston, Mount, & Porterfield, 2001). It is important to address QOL which is determined by physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs, and related experiences in the context of patients' culture, values, goals, expectations, standards, and concerns. The primary goal of palliative care is to serve individuals with terminal illnesses. The purpose of this descriptive study is to determine changes in QOL in terminally ill patients after admission to a palliative care unit and 1 week later. The organizing framework for this study is Cohen and Leis (2002) determinants of QOL. Five determinants of QOL include: own state, quality of care impacting quality of life, physical environment, relationships, and outlook. The sample will consist of 50 terminally ill patients in three palliative care units in the Midwest. QOL will be measured by the McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire (Cohen & Leis, 2002). Permission will be obtained from Ball State University and three participating palliative care units. Findings will provide information for improvements in nursing practice related to terminally ill patients and QOL.