[The development and focus group analysis of a decision-support checklist to start special palliative care]

Introduction: Research suggests more and more advantages of the early introduction of palliative care in parallel with active oncology treatment. Numerous studies have proven an increase in overall survival, a better quality of life for the patient and their relatives, and a reduction in the psychological exhaustion of the medical staff. It is proven that patients are hospitalized less often and spend less time on active beds. The treatment of patients with advanced cancer is incomplete without integrated, personalized, support services. At the same time, there is still no internationally accepted criteria system based on which it can be easily determined exactly when and which patients need special palliative care. Objective: Our goal was to create a criteria system that can be easily used in everyday patient care and supports patient management, which helps in determining whether it is recommended to refer the patient to the special palliative care system. Method: After reviewing the literature, we created a checklist consisting of 1 + 8 questions, and then examined it through content analysis of three focus groups in which family physicians, oncologists, and palliative care physicians participated. Results: The representatives of the three professions most involved in the care of patients with advanced cancer all found the decision support point system useful and recommended its use in everyday patient care. Family doctors would use it as an indicator, and oncologists would use it as preparatory material for the oncological team decision. The questions of the data sheet were modified according to the suggestions of the experts, and the final version is presented in this article. Conclusion: The research confirmed that a uniform score system can help assess patients’ needs and organize cooperation between professions, facilitate patient journeys, and its automatic application can greatly improve patients’ access to appropriate care. At the same time, before its introduction, it is definitely necessary to increase the number of specialist palliative care providers, so that the expected significantly increased number of patients does not overload the existing system. Orv Hetil. 2025; 166(41): 1603–1610.