A Question Prompt List for Advanced Cancer Patients Promoting Advance Care Planning: A French Randomized Trial

ContextAdvance care planning is essential to enable informed medical decisions be made and reduce aggressiveness in end-of-life (EOL) care.ObjectivesThis study aimed explore whether a question prompt list (QPL) adapted French language culture could promote discussions, particularly on prognosis EOL issues, among advanced cancer patients attending outpatient palliative (PC) consultations.MethodsIn this multicenter randomized study, assigned the intervention arm received QPL help them prepare for next consultation one month later. The main inclusion criteria were referred PC team with an estimated life expectancy of less than year. primary endpoint was number questions raised, globally by topic. secondary objectives impact psychological symptoms, quality life, satisfaction care, coping styles at two months.ResultsPatients (n = 71) asked more (mean 21.8 vs. 18.2, P 0.03) control 71), (5.6 3.7, 0.012) issues (2.2 1, 0.018) but not (4.3 3.6, specified). At months, there no change anxiety, depression, or either arm; patient doctors' technical skills scored higher (P 0.024), avoidance responses frequent (self-distraction, 0.015; behavioral disengagement, 0.025) arm.ConclusionQuestions consultations frequent, better when available before consultation.