Instruments to evaluate complexity in end-of-life care

Area of Science:

• Palliative Care
• Complexity Science
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Growing numbers of patients with complex conditions and comorbidities challenge healthcare systems.
• Limited resources and increasing patient complexity necessitate efficient, patient-centered end-of-life care.
• Current literature shows a rise in reviews on complexity frameworks within palliative care and comorbidity management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the current state of knowledge on the role of complexity in specialist palliative care.
• To describe complexity science, relevant frameworks, and tools for evaluating complexity in palliative care.
• To highlight the need for implementing complexity theory to ensure quality and equity in palliative care.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of complexity science and its application in palliative care.
• Identification and description of existing complexity frameworks and assessment tools.
• Analysis of multidimensional issues and resource utilization in complex patient cases.

Main Results:

• Complexity in palliative care involves multidimensional issues and resource utilization.
• Several validated tools exist to help healthcare professionals identify complex patients, including Hui's criteria, PALCOM, INTERMED, and IDC-Pal.
• The review details complexity science, frameworks, and tools relevant to palliative care provision.

Conclusions:

• Implementing complexity theory is crucial for delivering quality and equitable palliative care.
• Understanding and managing patient complexity is essential for effective specialist palliative care provision.
• Validated tools can support healthcare professionals in identifying and managing patients with complex needs.