End of life in the French overseas departments

The aim of this research is to provide an overview of end-of-life conditions in 4 French overseas departments (Martinique, Guadeloupe, Guyana and Réunion). Its ambition is to show how territorial contrasts - of a socio-demographic, cultural or health nature - which characterize them, influence end-of-life care arrangements and create possible inequalities of treatment between patients. It will provide a better understanding of the public policy adaptations required to meet the specific needs of these territories.

A first line of research will draw up an overview of possible inequalities in medical care at this stage of life between the 4 Dom and with metropolitan France. We'll be checking whether the same individual and/or contextual situations are subject to the same medical treatments everywhere.

A second axis will focus more specifically on the implementation of the provisions of the laws of April 22, 2005 on patients' rights and the end of life, and that of February 16, 2016 creating new rights for sick people at the end of life. The aim will be, on the one hand, to compare medical practices with legislative provisions and, on the other, to describe the level of knowledge that families and patients have of the provisions relating to patients' rights, as well as their application.

Finally, in a third axis, more sociological aspects relating to the family and social context at this stage of life will be addressed. Particular attention will be paid to the various players and the ways in which patients are supported. The perceptions and expectations of families will be gathered in order to improve quality of life at this stage of life when it takes place at home, the wish of a very large majority of people.

Link to INED page: https://fdv.site.ined.fr/fr/