Family perspectives on end-of-life care after surgery: A qualitative analysis of the veteran affairs bereaved family surveys (19 December 2023)

Summary

Using open-text responses from the Bereaved Family Survey (BFS), this study in the American Journal of Surgery sought to explore Veteran family experiences on end-of-life care after surgery. Families that left open text comments often expressed a belief in their loved one's unnecessary pain, expressing distrust in the treatment decisions of the care team. The results also showed that limited communication about the severity of disease or risks of surgery caused conflicting and unresolved narratives about the cause or timing of death. Families also described feelings of disempowerment when they were not involved in decision-making and when their wishes were not respected.