Caregivers' Perspectives on Decision Making About Lung Transplantation in Cystic Fibrosis

Context: Lung transplantation extends survival for some patients with advanced cystic fibrosis, but it is complicated, has many potential risks, and its outcomes are difficult to predict. No standards exist for informed decision making about transplantation.

Objective: To assess decision making from the perspective of caregivers of patients who faced the transplant decision before dying of cystic fibrosis or transplant complications.

Design: Semistructured interviews with descriptive and qualitative content analysis.

Participants: Twenty-eight caregivers of patients with cystic fibrosis who received care at our center and died between 1996 and 2006.

Results: Of 28 patients who considered lung transplantation, 19 (68%) received transplants, 6 (21%) died while waiting for transplant, and 3 (11%) declined transplant. Three caregivers (11%) thought that the patient did not fully understand the reason for transplant referral. Five (18%) thought that the patient did not fully understand potential risks. Ten (36%) thought that alternatives were not fully understood. The only alternatives to transplant identified, progressive illness and the possibility of earlier death without transplant, were unacceptable to most. Thirteen caregivers (46%) reported that the patient thought that declining transplant was not an option. Caregivers described the decision as "easy" for 19 (68%), often expressing a sentiment of "do or die." Those who described the decision as "easy" recalled fewer elements of informed decision making.

Conclusions: From caregivers' reports, patients with cystic fibrosis may not fully understand risks of and alternatives to lung transplantation. Because a strong desire to prolong life necessitates honest communication about potential outcomes, interventions are needed to facilitate high-quality decision making.