ESRA 2027 sessions by theme
Back to Overview of Sessions
Until the last interview: methods for collecting data in the final phase of life |
| Coordinator 1 | Dr Clément Meier (University of Lausanne) |
| Coordinator 2 | Ms Theresa Fabel (SHARE BERLIN Institute GmbH) |
| Coordinator 3 | Ms Magdalena Hecher (SHARE BERLIN Institute GmbH) |
| Coordinator 4 | Dr Arne Bethmann (SHARE BERLIN Institute GmbH) |
| Coordinator 5 | Ms Paola Sillitti (University of Lausanne) |
| Coordinator 6 | Mr Giuliano Pigazzini (University of Lausanne) |
| Coordinator 7 | Professor Michael Bergmann (SHARE BERLIN Institute GmbH) |
| Coordinator 8 | Professor Jürgen Maurer (University of Lausanne) |
Session Details
Many longitudinal ageing studies already collect retrospective end-of-life data through proxy-based exit interviews following a participant’s death. CHARLS, CLSA, ELSA, HART, HRS, KLoSA, LASI, MHAS, SHARE, and TILDA, among others, share this proxy-based design, but their approaches differ in proxy selection, reference periods, data-collection modes, questionnaire content, wording, response formats, and measurement depth. Other longitudinal or population studies may have developed additional or particularly effective procedures. This session therefore aims to bring together a wider range of studies to share their procedures and fieldwork experiences and build an inventory of best practices for respectful, valid, and comparable end-of-life data collection.
This session invites contributions on end-of-life-specific questionnaire and fieldwork design. Topics include the wording, sequencing, reference periods, and respondent burden of questions on symptoms, care, decision-making, dying, and bereavement; the timing and mode of interviews around deteriorating health or death; advance information and consent; early identification and preparation of proxies; and interviewer selection, training, scripts, supervision, debriefing, and emotional support. Contributions may compare established protocols, present pilot studies or innovations, or evaluate feasibility, acceptability, participation, measurement quality, and cross-study comparability.
By bringing together evidence from longitudinal ageing studies across countries, the session will map how end-of-life content is operationalised, identify promising practices, and clarify where harmonised guidance could support respectful data collection and comparative research on dying, death, and bereavement.
