| Study design and sample size | Finding | Quality assessment | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of studies contributing to the finding | Design | Criteria | Rating | Overall assessment of confidence | |
| Timing of information | |||||
| 7 | Semi-structured interviews and focus groups | Information about the disease trajectory and dying process should be given earlier, perhaps after diagnosis. Information about EOL hospice care should be earlier as well. Some believed ACP should be started early. Participants hoped health care providers would have adequate training to inform patients at the right time. | Limitations | Minor concerns about methodological limitations | LOW |
| Coherence | Minor concerns about coherencea | ||||
| Relevance | No concerns about relevance | ||||
| Adequacy | No concerns about adequacy | ||||
The majority of the data supported information being given earlier although some data supported delaying information about poor prognosis believing it may take away people’s hope and impact on their quality of life.
From: Evidence review: Barriers to accessing end of life care services
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