Related Experiment Videos
[Patients and attitudes to a palliative unit in H:S--a questionnaire study]
A Krarup-Hansen1, S Christensen, J L Knudsen
1H:S Rigshospitalet, Finsencentret, onkologisk afdeling.
Ugeskrift for Laeger
|May 26, 1998
Summary
A study found that approximately 8% of hospital patients require palliative care, with over 50% being suitable for a dedicated unit. Most medical staff supported establishing such a palliative care unit.
Area of Science:
- Palliative Care Medicine
- Health Services Research
Context:
- Hospital-associated palliative care units are emerging as a critical need.
- Assessing patient suitability and demand is essential for service planning.
Purpose:
- To determine the number of hospital patients suitable for a palliative care unit.
- To gauge medical staff and general practitioner support for establishing such units.
Summary:
- Questionnaires sent to Copenhagen hospitals revealed 8% of inpatients needed palliative care, primarily for incurable cancer (75%).
- Over 50% of these palliative care patients were deemed suitable for a specialized unit.
- General practitioners identified numerous patients for palliative care and expressed a preference for home-based terminal care options.
Impact:
- Findings suggest a significant demand for hospital-associated palliative care units.
- Results support the establishment of dedicated palliative care services to meet patient and clinician needs.