"Bucket Lists" and palliative care

A recent study explored the idea of a “bucket list”—a list of things to do before your die—as a tool that could be used by clinicians to better understand the priorities of seriously ill patients. Of the respondents, 91% said they indeed had a bucket list, with a variety of goals. “A major conclusion of this study was that awareness of a patient's priorities and life goals can assist in decision-making about disease and treatments. The bucket list can serve as a framework to engage patients in these healthcare decisions.” (Medscape, 9/11, www.medscape.com/viewarticle/901541; summary per Hospice News Network, 9/25/18)