“I Want To Be Taking My Own Last Breath”: Patients' Reflections on Illness When Presenting to the Emergency Department at the End of Life

Abstract

Patients with advanced illness present to the ED of a safety net hospital when symptoms are out of control. They have many financial concerns, want to spend their remaining days with family, and do not want to be a burden. Most derive immense comfort from faith in God, but do not feel they have control over their own fate.