Validation of the Readiness for End-of-Life Conversations (REOLC) scale in a German hospital setting.

OBJECTIVE

For every health behavior, readiness to engage is a necessary and crucial foundation for following conversations, interventions or behavior changes. The present study aims to support a one-factor structure for the Readiness for End-of-Life Conversations (REOLC) scale (Berlin et al., 2021) in a population of cancer patients ( = 295).

METHODS

For validation purposes, data of patients participating in a screening development study at a university clinic was used. Model adequacy was analyzed with structural equation modelling and controlled for with goodness of fit indices: χ-test, SRMR, rRMSEA. Discriminant and convergent validity were assessed with correlations of REOLC and psychological or health behavior measures.

RESULTS

Factor structure was supported with good fit indices, discriminant validity and convergent validity. Readiness correlated significantly with age and reported death anxiety.

CONCLUSION

The REOLC scale is a reliable instrument to assess cancer patients' readiness for end-of-life conversations. Future studies may further address moderating and mediating effects of socio-demographic, medical and psychological factors.

INNOVATION

The assessment of readiness may further indicate anxiety levels of cancer patients and enables practitioners to provide interventions accordingly. However, in a clinical setting and especially for patients with a palliative prognosis, end-of-life care conversations may need to be introduced early.