Screening for Palliative Care Needs: Pilot Data From German Comprehensive Cancer Centers.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Palliative Care
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Guidelines recommend various screening tools for complex palliative needs.
• Diversity in tools and lack of structural guidance create implementation variability.
• The status of palliative care needs screening in German Cancer Aid-funded Comprehensive Cancer Centers (CCCs) remains uninvestigated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the current implementation status of palliative care needs (PCN) screening at German CCCs.
• To identify barriers and facilitators in the screening process within these centers.

Main Methods:

• An e-mail survey was conducted among 17 hospital sites of 13 German CCCs.
• The survey assessed structural characteristics, screening procedures, tools used, training, and responsibilities.
• Data were collected over a 2-month period.

Main Results:

• Fifteen hospital sites responded, with seven implementing PCN screening.
• Screening practices varied significantly; only one center screened broadly, using the distress thermometer.
• Key barriers identified were a lack of human resources and inadequate structural conditions.

Conclusions:

• A lack of consensus exists among specialists regarding PCN screening protocols and guidelines.
• Structural requirements, including technical and human resources, need adaptation for effective screening.
• Combined psycho-oncologic and palliative care screening may inform future best practice recommendations.