The 1997 report from the Institute of Medicine, Approaching Death: Improving Care at the End of LIfe, found widespread dissatisfaction with end-of-life care and many gaps in our scientific knowledge of this phase of life. In response, the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) sponsored a workshop on the symptoms of terminal illness, and NINR was later designated the lead Institute within National Institute of Health (NIH) for end-of-life research.
Below, is one of the critical issues identified by the NINR which occurs at the end of life:
The Desire of Terminal Patients to Hasten Death
In an initial survey, patietns with late-stage cancer had a low desire to hasten death. Most were able to continue normal activities despite theri symptoms, although one-quarter had signs of depression. Spouse caregivers spent around 40 hours a week providing care. When surveyed a second time, those patients who increased their desire for death had higher depression scores and required more caregiving time. They also had higher martical satisfaction, indicating they may wish to avoid becoming a burden to the spouse.
Weitzner, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, 2006
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