After years of neglect, care at the end of life is recovering increasing attention and concern. When end of life is near, the patient is suffering the effects of a progressive and mortal illness, and is coping not only with bodily symptoms, but also with the existential crisis of approaching death (Griffin 2003).

Griffin and authors state that the most effective approach to providing better care in patients with other diseases has been the use of clinical practice guidelines based on the delivery of evidence-based medicine.

End-of-life care is defined as "the active, total care of patients whose disease is not responsive to curative treatment" (Griffin 2003). The philosophy of this care is to attain maximal quality of life through control of the social and spiritual distress (Griffin 2003).

Steps advised to improve these deficiencies were as follows:

1. Training of doctors in communication skills as critical to ensure quality end-of-life care
2. Clinical research to determine the best teaching methods
3. Education of family members in the end-of-life physical caregiver role and its psychological impact (Griffin 2003).