Reasons for and Frequency of End-of-Life Hospital Admissions: General Practitioners' Perspective on Reducing End-of-Life Hospital Referrals

• DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2017.0489
• Publication Date: 2018-05-04T14:10:19Z
• Authors: Stéphanie Giezend...; Klaus Bally; Dagmar M. Haller; Corinna Jung; Ina C. Otte; Hans-Ruedi Banderet; Bernice S. Elger; Elisabeth Zemp; Heike Gudat
• Keywords: End-of-Life Care; Anticipation (artificial intelligence); Acute hospital

Background: Many palliative care patients are admitted to hospital shortly before death even though the acute setting is not considered ideal for end-of-life (EOLC). Objectives: This study aimed evaluate General Practitioners' (GPs') perspective on frequency of and reasons referrals these patients. Methods: Cross-sectional survey involving a stratified random sample 2000 GPs in Switzerland 2014. GP characteristics, type transfers, referrals, confidence EOLC, regional provision were assessed. Multivariate regression analysis was performed identify variables associated with at end life. Results: The questionnaire completed by 579 (31%) GPs. Frequent reported 38%. less likely report frequent hospitalizations when they felt confident competencies, especially anticipation crisis. more as being due relatives' wishes, difficulties symptom control, inadequate or absent network, expense home. Conclusions: results suggest that adequate support network their caregivers crucial continuous home-based EOLC. Timely recognition advanced phase well involvement well-trained who feel care, together financial outpatient might diminish transitions death.