The TPP (time, place, person) triad: A framework for compassionate end-of-life care.

Abstract

Background: Integrating the "Time, Place, and Person" (TPP) framework into palliative care has been shown to improve patient satisfaction and quality of life by addressing key aspects of end-of-life care. This approach considers the time remaining, preferred location for death, and the presence of loved ones, all of which contribute to a more holistic and compassionate care experience.

Aim: To identify the most important factors in end-of-life care for palliative care patients, with a focus on the Time, Place, and Person (TPP) triad.

Design: Analytical study using a survey method to gather data on patient preferences regarding key end-of-life care factors. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-Square tests to assess the significance of responses.

Setting/participants: The study was conducted at Kalyan Singh Super Specialty Cancer Institute in Uttar Pradesh, India, from January to November 2024 using convenience sampling. Fifty-three patients with confirmed malignancy who were enrolled in the Palliative Care Outpatient Department participated in the study.

Results: The most frequently selected factors were "Time remaining" (23 responses), "Place of death" (21 responses), and "Presence of loved ones" (18 responses). Chi-square analysis (χ² =7.7, P = 0.0055) confirmed that these top three factors were significantly more important than the others.

Conclusion: The Time-Place-Person (TPP) triad plays a crucial role in improving the quality of end-of-life care. Early discussions on time remaining, preferred place of death, and the presence of loved ones can help tailor care plans that enhance patient satisfaction and comfort during the final stages of life.