Table 2 Characteristics of the procedures of assessment

Proxy interview

  Performed interviews

111

76.6

95

74.8

  Not found

8

5.5

4

3.1

  Not present

1

0.7

-

-

  Refused

23

15.9

26

20.5

  Other

2

1.4

2

1.6

.630

Death – interview interval

  < 2 months

64

55.2

61

64.2

  2 – 4 months

38

32.8

32

33.7

  > 4 months

14

12.1

2

2.1

.023

Length of interview (minutes); median (range)

40 (10–120)

35 (15–90)

.105

Mode of interview

  Face to face

80

72.1

76

80.0

  By telephone

31

27.9

19

20.0

.186

  Not performed

34

32

Interview setting (for face to face interviews)

  Home

45

56.3

32

42.1

  Health service

17

21.2

17

22.4

  Caregiver work place

13

16.3

10

13.2

  Other

5

6.2

17

22.4

.029

GP Interviews

  Performed interviews

129

89.0

108

85.0

  Not found

14

9.7

14

11.0

  Not present

-

-

1

0.8

  Refused

2

1.4

1

0.8

  Other

-

-

3

2.4

.285

Death – interview interval (days); median (range)

86 (27–365)

103 (29–168)

.008

GP aware of terminal status

  Yes

89

69.5

98

90.7

  No

39

30.5

10

9.3

<.001

  Unknown

17

19

Care procedures

  Charts reviewed

143

98.6

127

100

.184