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Gerhardt S, Benthien KS, Herling S, Villumsen M, Krarup PM. Palliative care case management in a surgical department for patients with gastrointestinal cancer-a register-based cohort study. Support Care Cancer 2024; 32:592. [PMID: 39150573 PMCID: PMC11329613 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-024-08794-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effectiveness of generalist palliative care interventions in hospitals is unknown. AIM This study aimed to explore the impact of a palliative care case management intervention for patients with gastrointestinal cancer (PalMaGiC) on hospital admissions, healthcare use, and place of death. DESIGN This was a register-based cohort study analyzing data from the Danish Register on Causes of Death, the Danish National Patient Register, and the Danish Palliative Database. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS Deceased patients with gastrointestinal cancer from 2010 to 2020 exposed to PalMaGiC were compared over three periods of time to patients receiving standard care. RESULTS A total of 43,969 patients with gastrointestinal cancers were included in the study, of whom 1518 were exposed to PalMaGiC. In the last 30 days of life, exposed patients were significantly more likely to be hospitalized (OR of 1.62 (95% CI 1.26-2.01)), spend more days at the hospital, estimate of 1.21 (95% CI 1.02-1.44), and have a higher number of hospital admissions (RR of 1.13 (95% CI 1.01-1.27)), and were more likely to die at the hospital (OR of 1.94 (95% CI 1.55-2.44)) with an increasing trend over time. No differences were found for hospital healthcare use. CONCLUSION Patients exposed to the PalMaGiC intervention had a greater likelihood of hospitalizations and death at the hospital compared to unexposed patients, despite the opposite intention. Sensitivity analyses show that regional differences may hold some of the explanation for this. Future development of generalist palliative care in hospitals should focus on integrating a home-based approach, community care, and PC physician involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stine Gerhardt
- Digestive Disease Center, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, 2400, Copenhagen, NV, Denmark.
| | - Kirstine Skov Benthien
- Palliative Care Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital - Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
- REHPA - Danish Knowledge Centre for Rehabilitation and Palliative Care, Nyborg, Denmark
- University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Suzanne Herling
- The Neuroscience Center, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marie Villumsen
- Centre for Clinical Research and Prevention, Copenhagen University Hospital - Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter-Martin Krarup
- Digestive Disease Center, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, 2400, Copenhagen, NV, Denmark
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Møller JJK, la Cour K, Pilegaard MS, Dalton SO, Bidstrup P, Möller S, Jarlbaek L. The use and timing of rehabilitation and palliative care to cancer patients, and the influence of social vulnerability - a population-based study. BMJ Support Palliat Care 2023:spcare-2023-004487. [PMID: 37816594 DOI: 10.1136/spcare-2023-004487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To identify and investigate different cohorts of cancer patients' use of physical rehabilitation and specialised palliative care (SPC) services, focusing on patients with incurable cancer and the impact of social vulnerability. METHODS The sample originated from patients diagnosed during 2013-2018 and alive 1 January 2015. Use of physical rehabilitation and/or SPC units were identified from contacts registered in population-based administrative databases. Competing-risks regression models were applied to investigate disparities with regard to social vulnerability, disease duration, gender and age. RESULTS A total of 101 268 patients with cancer were included and 60 125 survived longer than 3 years after their diagnosis. Among the 41 143 patients, who died from cancer, 66%, survived less than 1 year, 23% survived from 1 to 2 years and 11% survived from 2 to 3 years. Contacts regarding physical rehabilitation services appeared in the entire cancer trajectory, whereas contacts regarding SPC showed a steep increase as time drew closer to death. The largest disparity was related to disease duration. Socially vulnerable patients had less contact with SPC, while a larger proportion of the socially vulnerable cancer survivors used rehabilitation, compared with the non-vulnerable patients. CONCLUSIONS This study provides a previously unseen detailed overview of the use of physical rehabilitation and/or SPC among patients with incurable cancer. The services appeared to overlap at a group level in the cancer trajectory, emphasising the importance of awareness with regard to coordination and combination of the services. Disparities between socially vulnerable or non-vulnerable patients were identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens-Jakob Kjer Møller
- REHPA, The Danish Knowledge Centre for Rehabilitation and Palliative Care, Odense University Hospital, Nyborg, Denmark; Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Karen la Cour
- Research Unit for User Perspectives and Community-based Interventions, the Research Group for Occupational Science, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Marc Sampedro Pilegaard
- DEFACTUM, Central Region Denmark, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Social Medicine and Rehabilitation, Regional Hospital Gødstrup, Herning, Denmark
| | - Susanne Oksbjerg Dalton
- Survivorship and Inequality in Cancer, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Oncology and Palliative Care, Zealand University Hospital, Naestved, Denmark
| | - Pernille Bidstrup
- Psychological Aspects of Cancer, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sören Möller
- Research unit OPEN, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Open Patient data Explorative Network, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Lene Jarlbaek
- REHPA, The Danish Knowledge Centre for Rehabilitation and Palliative Care, Odense University Hospital, Nyborg, Denmark; Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Hansen MBB, Groenvold M, Adsersen M, Jensen H, Ibfelt EH, Petersen MA, Neergaard MA, Møller H, Olesen TB. Palliative care need screening and specialised referrals fell during the COVID-19 pandemic: a nationwide register-based study. BMJ Support Palliat Care 2023:spcare-2023-004324. [PMID: 37098445 DOI: 10.1136/spcare-2023-004324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Few studies have examined whether access to, and quality of, specialised palliative care changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated changes in access to and quality of specialised palliative care during the pandemic in Denmark compared to previously. METHODS An observational study using data from the Danish Palliative Care Database combined with other nationwide registries was conducted, including 69 696 patients referred to palliative care services in Denmark from 2018 to 2022. Study outcomes included number of referrals and admissions to palliative care, and the proportions of patients fulfilling four palliative care quality indicators. The indicators assessed admissions among referred, waiting time from referral to admission, symptom screening using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionaire-Core-15-Palliative Care (EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL) questionnaire at admission, and discussion at multidisciplinary conference. Logistic regression analysed whether the probability of fulfilling each indicator differed between the pandemic period and pre-pandemic, while adjusting for possible confounders. RESULT Number of referrals and admissions to specialised palliative care were lower during the pandemic. The odds for being admitted within 10 days of referral was higher during the pandemic (OR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.32 to 1.45) whereas the odds for answering the EORTC questionnaire (0.88; 95% CI: 0.85 to 0.92) and for being discussed at multidisciplinary conference (0.93; 95% CI: 0.89 to 0.97) were lower compared with pre-pandemic. CONCLUSIONS Fewer patients were referred to specialised palliative care during the pandemic, and fewer were screened for palliative care needs. In future pandemics or similar scenarios, it is important to pay special attention to referral rates and to maintain the same high level of specialised palliative care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maiken Bang Bang Hansen
- The Research Unit, Department of Palliative Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Cancer and Cancer Screening, The Danish Clinical Quality Program - National Clinical Registries (RKKP), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mogens Groenvold
- The Research Unit, Department of Palliative Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Copenhagen University, Copehagen, Denmark
| | - Mathilde Adsersen
- The Research Unit, Department of Palliative Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henry Jensen
- Department of Resources and Innovation, The Danish Clinical Quality Program - National Clinical Registries (RKKP), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Else Helene Ibfelt
- Department of Cancer and Cancer Screening, The Danish Clinical Quality Program - National Clinical Registries (RKKP), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Morten Aagaard Petersen
- The Research Unit, Department of Palliative Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mette Asbjørn Neergaard
- Palliative Care Unit, Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Midtjylland, Denmark
| | - Henrik Møller
- Department of Cancer and Cancer Screening, The Danish Clinical Quality Program - National Clinical Registries (RKKP), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tina Bech Olesen
- Department of Resources and Innovation, The Danish Clinical Quality Program - National Clinical Registries (RKKP), Copenhagen, Denmark
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Adsersen M, Thygesen LC, Neergaard MA, Sjøgren P, Mondrup L, Nissen JS, Clausen LM, Groenvold M. Higher Admittance to Specialized Palliative Care for Patients with High Education and Income: A Nationwide Register-Based Study. J Palliat Med 2023; 26:57-66. [PMID: 36130182 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2022.0087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: While associations between socioeconomic position, that is, income and education and admittance to specialized palliative care (SPC) have been investigated previously, no prior national studies have examined admittance to all types of SPC, that is, hospital-based palliative care team/units and hospice. Aim: To investigate whether cancer patients' education and income were associated with admittance to SPC (hospital-based palliative care team/unit, hospice). Design: Data sources were several nationwide registers. The association between SPC and education and income, respectively, was investigated using logistic regression analyses. Setting/Participants: Patients dying from cancer in Denmark 2010-12 (n = 41,741). Results: In the study population, 45% had lower secondary school, and 6% had an academic education. Patients with an academic education were more often admitted to SPC than those having lower secondary school (odds ratio [OR] = 1.69; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.51-1.89). Patients in the highest income quartile (Q4) were more often admitted than those in the lowest income quartile (Q1) (OR = 1.46; 95% CI: 1.37-1.56). This association was stronger for hospice (OR = 1.67 (95% CI: 1.54-1.81)) than for admittance to hospital-based palliative care team/unit (OR = 1.23 (95% CI: 1.14-1.31)). Compared with patients who had lower secondary school and the lowest income, the OR of admittance to SPC among the most affluent academics was 1.96 (95% CI: 1.71-2.25). Conclusion: This nationwide study indicates that admittance to SPC was clearly associated with education and income. We believe that the associations indicate inequity. Initiatives to improve access for patients with low education or income should be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Adsersen
- Research Unit, Department of Palliative Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lau Caspar Thygesen
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Per Sjøgren
- Section of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lise Mondrup
- The Palliative Team Esbjerg, Sydvestjysk Hospital, Esbjerg, Denmark
| | | | | | - Mogens Groenvold
- Research Unit, Department of Palliative Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Higher overall admittance of immigrants to specialised palliative care in Denmark: a nationwide register-based study of 99,624 patients with cancer. Support Care Cancer 2023; 31:132. [PMID: 36695904 PMCID: PMC9875181 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-023-07597-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The population of immigrants in Europe is ageing. Accordingly, the number of immigrants with life-threatening diseases and need for specialised palliative care will increase. In Europe, immigrants' admittance to specialised palliative care is not well explored. AIM To investigate whether country of origin was associated with admittance to (I) palliative care team/unit, (II) hospice, and/or (III) specialised palliative care, overall (i.e. palliative care team/unit and/or hospice). DESIGN Data sources for the population cohort study were the Danish Palliative Care Database and several nationwide registers. We investigated the associations between country of origin and admittance to specialised palliative care, overall, and to type of palliative care using logistic regression analyses. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS In 2010-2016, 104,775 cancer patients died in Denmark: 96% were born in Denmark, 2% in other Western countries, and 2% in non-Western countries. RESULTS Overall admittance to specialised palliative care was higher for immigrants from other Western (OR = 1.13; 95%CI: 1.03-1.24) and non-Western countries (OR = 1.22; 95%CI: 1.08-1.37) than for the majority population. Similar results were found for admittance to palliative care teams. No difference in admittance to hospice was found for immigrants from other Western countries (OR = 1.04; 95%CI: 0.93-1.16) compared to the majority population, while lower admittance was found for non-Western immigrants (OR = 0.70; 95%CI: 0.60-0.81). CONCLUSION Admittance to specialised palliative care was higher for immigrants than for the majority population as higher admittance to palliative care teams for non-Western immigrants more than compensated for the lower hospice admittance. This may reflect a combination of larger needs and that hospital-based and home-based services are perceived as preferable by immigrants.
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Møller JJK, la Cour K, Pilegaard MS, Möller S, Jarlbaek L. Identification of socially vulnerable cancer patients - development of a register-based index (rSVI). Support Care Cancer 2022; 30:5277-5287. [PMID: 35275294 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-022-06937-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social vulnerability is a complex construct which is beyond relying on single measures. If socially vulnerable patients should be identified, we need a composite measure capturing the patient's overall circumstances. This study presents the development of a social vulnerability index (rSVI) for cancer patients based on administrative data from population-based registers. METHODS All patients, who died from cancer within 5 years after the cancer diagnosis during 2013-2018 (n = 44,187), were identified and divided in four subcohorts according to survival; index cohort surviving 3-5 years (n = 3044 surviving 3-5 years), cohort 1 (n = 27,170 surviving < 1 year), cohort 2 (n = 9450 surviving 1-2 years), and cohort 3 (n = 4523 surviving 2-3 years). Variables from ten registries on health and social issues were linked to each individual patient. Variables of interest were weighted to construct the rSVI using the index-cohort. rSVI was subsequently tested on the three other cohorts for validation. RESULTS The rSVI included weighted values for marital status, ethnicity, education, income, unemployment, psychiatric comorbidity, and somatic comorbidity. The validity of the rSVI was supported by the expected trend in proportions of vulnerable patients when applied on the other cohorts. Single social measures appeared insufficient in identification of vulnerable patients when compared with the rSVI. CONCLUSION The rSVI provides a tool for identification of socially vulnerable cancer patients using administrative data. The index requires further validation in other patient groups and is tested against other measures of vulnerability. Future perspectives are to use the rSVI as predictor of advanced cancer patients' use of healthcare services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens-Jakob Kjer Møller
- REHPA, The Danish Knowledge Centre for Rehabilitation and Palliative Care, Odense University Hospital, Nyborg, Denmark; Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
- Danish Research Centre for Equality in Cancer (COMPAS), Zealand University Hospital, Naestved, Denmark.
| | - Karen la Cour
- Danish Research Centre for Equality in Cancer (COMPAS), Zealand University Hospital, Naestved, Denmark
- Research Unit for User Perspectives and Community-based Interventions, the Research group for Occupational Science, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Marc Sampedro Pilegaard
- REHPA, The Danish Knowledge Centre for Rehabilitation and Palliative Care, Odense University Hospital, Nyborg, Denmark; Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Research Unit for User Perspectives and Community-based Interventions, the Research group for Occupational Science, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Sören Möller
- Research Unit OPEN, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Open Patient Data Explorative Network, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Lene Jarlbaek
- REHPA, The Danish Knowledge Centre for Rehabilitation and Palliative Care, Odense University Hospital, Nyborg, Denmark; Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Nissen N, Rossau HK, Pilegaard MS, la Cour K. Cancer rehabilitation and palliative care for socially vulnerable patients in Denmark: an exploration of practices and conceptualisations. Palliat Care Soc Pract 2022; 16:26323524221097982. [PMID: 35800415 PMCID: PMC9253993 DOI: 10.1177/26323524221097982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Despite a tax-funded, needs-based organisation of the Danish health system,
social inequality in cancer rehabilitation and palliative care (PC) has been
noted repeatedly. Little is known about how best to improve access and
participation in cancer rehabilitation and PC for socio-economically
disadvantaged and socially vulnerable patients. Aim: To gather, synthesise and describe practice-orientated development studies
presented in Danish-language publications and examine the underpinning
conceptualisations of social inequality and vulnerability; explore related
views of stakeholders working in the field. Methods: The study comprised a narrative review of Danish-language literature on
practice-orientated development studies which address social inequality and
vulnerability in cancer rehabilitation and PC and an online stakeholder
consultation workshop with Danish professionals and academics working in the
field. Results: Two themes characterise the included publications (n = 8):
types of interventions; conceptualisations of social inequality and
vulnerability; three themes were identified in the workshop data: focus and
type of interventions; organisation of cancer care; and vulnerability of the
healthcare system. The publications and the workshop participants
(n = 12) favoured approaches which provide additional
individualised resources throughout the cancer trajectory for this patient
group. The terms social inequality and social vulnerability are largely used
interchangeably, and associated with low income and no or little education
yet qualified with multiple descriptors, which reflect the diverse
socio-economic situations professionals encounter in cancer patients and
their psychosocial needs. Conclusion: Addressing social inequality and vulnerability in cancer rehabilitation and
PC in Denmark entails practical and conceptual challenges. Of importance is
individualised support and the integration of rehabilitation and PC into
standardised care pathways. To conceive of social vulnerability as a
layered, dynamic, relational and contextual concept reflects current
practice in identifying the diversity of cancer patients who may benefit
from additional support in accessing and participating in rehabilitation and
PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Nissen
- Independent Researcher, Berlin, Germany
- Affiliation during the study: REHPA – Danish Knowledge Centre for Rehabilitation and Palliative Care, Nyborg, Denmark
| | - Henriette Knold Rossau
- Section of Social Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Affiliation during the study: REHPA – Danish Knowledge Centre for Rehabilitation and Palliative Care, Nyborg, Denmark
| | - Marc Sampedro Pilegaard
- User Perspectives and Community-Based Interventions, Research Group for Occupational Science, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Karen la Cour
- User Perspectives and Community-Based Interventions, Research Group for Occupational Science, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Affiliation during the study: REHPA – Danish Knowledge Centre for Rehabilitation and Palliative Care, Nyborg, Denmark
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Adsersen M, Chen IM, Rasmussen LS, Johansen JS, Nissen M, Groenvold M, Marsaa K. Regional and age differences in specialised palliative care for patients with pancreatic cancer. BMC Palliat Care 2021; 20:192. [PMID: 34930211 PMCID: PMC8691016 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-021-00870-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite national recommendations, disparities in specialised palliative care (SPC) admittance have been reported. The aims of this study were to characterize SPC admittance in patients with pancreatic cancer in relation to region of residence and age. METHOD The data sources were two nationwide databases: Danish Pancreatic Cancer Database and Danish Palliative Care Database. The study population included patients (18+ years old) diagnosed with pancreatic cancer from 2011 to 2018. We investigated admittance to SPC, and time from diagnosis to referral to SPC and first contact with SPC to death by region of residence and age. RESULTS In the study period (N = 5851) admittance to SPC increased from 44 to 63%. The time from diagnosis to referral to SPC increased in the study period and overall, the median time was 67 days: three times higher in Southern (92 days) than in North Denmark Region. The median number of days from diagnosis to referral to SPC was lower in patients ≥70 years (59 days) vs patients < 70 years (78 days), with regional differences between the age groups. Region of residence and age were associated with admittance to SPC; highest for patients in North Denmark Region vs Capital Region (OR = 2.03 (95%CI 1.67-2.48)) and for younger patients (< 60 years vs 80+ years) (OR = 2.54 (95%CI 2.05-3.15)). The median survival from admittance to SPC was 35 days: lowest in Southern (30 days) and highest in North Denmark Region (41 days). The median number of days from admittance to SPC to death was higher in patients < 70 years (40 days) vs ≥ 70 years (31 days), with a difference between age groups in the regions of 1-14 days. CONCLUSIONS From 2011 to 2018 more patients with pancreatic cancer than previously were admitted to SPC, with marked differences between regions of residence and age groups. The persistently short period of time the patients are in SPC raises concern that early integrated palliative care is not fully integrated into the Danish healthcare system for patients with pancreatic cancer, with the risk that the referral comes so late that the patients do not receive the full benefit of the SPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Adsersen
- Palliative Care Research Unit, Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Bispebjerg Hospital 20D, Bispebjerg Bakke 23B, 2400, Copenhagen, NV, Denmark.
| | - Inna Markovna Chen
- Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Louise Skau Rasmussen
- Department of Oncology, Clinical Cancer Research Center, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Julia Sidenius Johansen
- Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark
- Department of Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mette Nissen
- Department of Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Mogens Groenvold
- Palliative Care Research Unit, Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Bispebjerg Hospital 20D, Bispebjerg Bakke 23B, 2400, Copenhagen, NV, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kristoffer Marsaa
- REHPA, The Danish Knowledge Centre for Rehabilitation and Palliative Care, Odense University Hospital, Nyborg, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Patients' and Relatives' Preferences for a Palliative/Oncology Day Ward and Out-of-Hours Telemedicine-An Interpretive Description. Healthcare (Basel) 2021; 9:healthcare9060758. [PMID: 34207478 PMCID: PMC8235271 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9060758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Demographical challenges require adaptation and tailoring of services to suit palliative patients' and relatives' needs. Therefore, an interpretive descriptive study was performed to explore patients' and relatives' preferences for the establishment of a day ward and out-of-hours telemedicine. Semi-structured interviews were performed, and data were analysed using thematic analysis. Participants included patients (n = 12) and relatives (n = 5). Three themes emerged: (1) 'Transport burden' relates to transition from home-to-hospital-to-home and acknowledges the strain placed on patients and relatives. (2) 'Role of relatives' contemplates how the role of families in patient care influences patient preferences. (3) 'Telemedicine-preferences and concerns' covers preferences and concerns related to telemedicine in palliative care. The burden of transport and living alone play substantial roles in preferences for place of treatment. Relatives of palliative patients who avail of a day ward and telemedicine may experience an increase in the burden of care. Recognition of concerns pertinent to palliative patients and relatives is an important step in planning new services in palliative care. Concerns may be mitigated by rethinking referral guidelines, incorporating voluntary services, early integration of telemedicine into palliative care and examining patients and relatives' expectations to care, but requires further research.
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