A period prevalence study of palliative care need in adult outpatients

Abstract

High levels of unmet palliative care need are reported globally. There is limited research that investigates unmet palliative care need in outpatient contexts. Early access to palliative care services is associated with better symptom management and reduced healthcare costs. This semi-replication study aimed to gain an understanding of palliative care need and service utilisation in adult outpatients attending a hospital outpatient day treatment unit. An observational period prevalence study was conducted using the Gold Standard Framework Proactive Indication Guidance to assess for palliative care need. Data were collected directly from the electronic medical records of patients who attended an outpatient day treatment unit, at a private-not-for-profit hospital over five days in January 2022. The indicators for the 12 conditions outlined in the Gold Standards Framework Proactive Indication Guidance were used to assess for palliative care need. Based on the review 41% (n = 115) of adult outpatients may have benefitted from palliative care. Of these, 13% (n = 15) were currently receiving palliative care, and most patients (87%, n = 100) were not receiving palliative care. There was evidence of high levels of unmet palliative care need, with most patients who could benefit from not receiving palliative care.

Keywords:

• Palliative care
• Period prevalence
• Life-limiting illness
• Outpatient
• Need and demand

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Claire Schifferli for her assistance with data collection and contribution to the research project.

Disclaimer statements

Funding This study was supported by St John of God Subiaco Hospital with a total of $5061.62 in funding. Sarah Tucknott was the recipient of a Curtin University, Health Sciences Summer Scholarship ($3000.00).

Conflicts of interest The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, [AC], upon reasonable request.

Ethical considerations

Ethical approval was sought from the study hospital and the university's Human Research Ethics Committees. Approval was given by both institutions (ref#1883 and HRE2021-0746) to audit outpatient medical records with a waiver of consent.²⁷

Supplemental data

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/09699260.2024.2339095.