Access to Palliative Care in Canada

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Gerontology
• Oncology

Background:

• Canada's aging population is increasing the prevalence of life-limiting illnesses.
• Improved access to palliative care is a key objective for Canadian healthcare systems.
• Palliative care is crucial for enhancing the quality of life for patients with chronic conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the number of Canadians receiving palliative care in their final year of life.
• To analyze trends in palliative care access over the past five years.
• To identify persistent barriers hindering access to palliative care services.

Main Methods:

• Utilized comprehensive data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI).
• Analyzed data across multiple healthcare sectors for a holistic view.
• Examined palliative care utilization patterns in the last year of life.

Main Results:

• Quantified the proportion of Canadians receiving palliative care near end-of-life.
• Assessed changes and trends in palliative care access over a five-year period.
• Documented key barriers that continue to limit access to these essential services.

Conclusions:

• Palliative care is increasingly vital for Canada's aging demographic.
• Understanding access trends and barriers is essential for strategic healthcare planning.
• Further efforts are needed to ensure equitable and timely access to palliative care for all Canadians.