Psychiatric Goals of Care at the End of Life: A Qualitative Analysis of Medical Records at a Geriatric Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic

Abstract

Conclusion: Goals of care were often disease-oriented, focusing on recovery or symptom management, whereas analysis of patients’ wishes revealed personal goals other than remission, including outspoken existential needs. The results call for further research on the interplay between person-centered care and the goal-planning process and point to the potential of a palliative approach in geriatric psychiatric care involving patients with complex comorbidities and multilevel needs.