BMJ supportive & palliative care
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BMJ Support Palliat Care · Sep 2014
Evaluation of screening criteria for palliative care consultation in the MICU: a multihospital analysis.
There are currently no comprehensive studies in critical care settings that have set out to examine the association of palliative care screening criteria with multiple, adverse patient outcomes. ⋯ Decisions on the appropriateness for palliative care consultation in the MICU can be aided using a trigger screen. We recommend the use of this screen be considered in the MICU with the suggested revisions. Additional studies are needed to determine if the use of the trigger screen is associated with improved clinical outcomes.
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BMJ Support Palliat Care · Sep 2014
Medical specialists' motivations for referral to specialist palliative care: a qualitative study.
The decision to refer a patient to palliative care is complex and often highly variable between medical specialists. In this paper, we examine medical specialists' motivations and triggers underpinning decision-making around referral to palliative care in order to facilitate improvements in referral practices. ⋯ Referral to palliative care is motivated by a range of individual, interpersonal and organisational factors. In order to improve the care and quality of life of patients and family caregivers, further work is needed to develop streamlined practices that are sensitive to physical and psychosocial considerations, and patient/family caregiver desires.