Research Article
Individually Tailored Palliative Care in a Rural Region: A Representative Chart Survey and Physicians’ Experiences with Integrated Care
Table 3
Characteristics of end-of-life period (
patients).
| | | % |
| Functional status when palliative care started | | | Bedridden, dependent | 10 | 11.0 | Limited self-care, bedridden >50% of time awake | 14 | 15.4 | Unable to work <50% time bedridden | 14 | 15.4 | Able to work, some daily activities possible | 16 | 17.6 | Normal activity possible | 37 | 40.7 | Patient’s location when palliative care started | | | Within town (village) | 26 | 28.6 | Farm house beyond the towns’ limits | 51 | 56.0 | Nursing home or hospice | 14 | 15.4 | Generations in household | | | Patient alone (with nursing support) | 2 | 2.2 | One-generation household (e.g., partner) | 35 | 38.5 | Two-generation household | 36 | 39.6 | Three-generation household | 18 | 19.8 | Hospital care | | | Hospital care required | 46 | 50.5 | Temporarily | 19 | 34.5 | Place of death | | | At home | 55 | 60.4 | Nursing home or hospice in nursing home | 13 | 14.3 | Hospital, rehabilitation facility, or hospital palliative care unit | 23 | 25.3 | Symptoms requiring intervention | | | Weakness | 71 | 78.0 | Loss of appetite | 65 | 71.4 | Fatigue | 56 | 61.5 | Pain | 50 | 54.9 | Family problems | 40 | 44.0 | Needing support with daily activities | 39 | 42.9 | Nausea | 37 | 40.7 | Shortness of breath | 32 | 35.2 | Difficulties coping with situation | 32 | 35.2 | Constipation | 25 | 27.5 | Vomitus | 19 | 20.9 | Wounds | 18 | 19.8 | Medication during end-of-life care | | | Opioids WHO III | 60 | 65.9 | Opioids WHO II | 19 | 20.9 | Nonopioid analgesics | 60 | 65.9 | Proton inhibitors | 62 | 68.1 | Sedatives | 48 | 52.7 | Laxatives | 38 | 41.8 | Corticosteroids | 51 | 56.0 | Neuroleptics | 16 | 17.6 | Diuretics | 25 | 27.5 | Antidepressants | 17 | 18.7 | Cardiac medication | 12 | 13.2 | Duration of palliative care, in months (average, SD, range) | 5.3 (4.2) | 0–20 |
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means % unless marked otherwise; means multiple answers possible.
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