scholarly journals A Population-Based Conceptual Framework for Evaluating the Role of Healthcare Services in Place of Death

Healthcare ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Gao ◽  
Sumaya Huque ◽  
Myfanwy Morgan ◽  
Irene Higginson

Background: There is a significant geographical disparity in place of death. Socio-demographic and disease-related variables only explain less than a quarter of the variation. Healthcare service factors may account for some (or much) of the remaining variation but their effects have never been systematically evaluated, partly due to the lack of a conceptual framework. This study aims to propose a population-based framework to guide the evaluation of the role of the healthcare service factors in place of death. Methods: Review and synthesis of health service models that include the impact of a service component on either place of death/end of life care outcomes or service access/utilization. Results: The framework conceptualizes the impact of healthcare services on the place of death as starting from the end of life care policies that in turn influence service commissioning and shape healthcare service characteristics, including service type, service capacity—facilities, service location, and workforce, through which service utilization and ultimately place of death are affected. Patient socio-demographics, disease-related variables, family and community support and social care also influence place of death, but they are not the focus of this framework and therefore are grouped as needs and other environmental factors. Information on service utilization, together with the place of death, creates loop feedback to inform policy and service commission. Conclusions: The framework provides guidance for analysis aiming to understand the role of healthcare services in place of death. It aids the interpretation of results in the light of existing knowledge and potentially identifies service factors that can be addressed to improve end of life care.

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 329-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna E Bone ◽  
Barbara Gomes ◽  
Simon N Etkind ◽  
Julia Verne ◽  
Fliss EM Murtagh ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
pp. bmjspcare-2020-002302
Author(s):  
Manon S Boddaert ◽  
Chantal Pereira ◽  
Jeroen Adema ◽  
Kris C P Vissers ◽  
Yvette M van der Linden ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo evaluate the impact of provision and timing of palliative care (PC) on potentially inappropriate end-of-life care to patients with cancer in a mixed generalist—specialist PC model.MethodA retrospective population-based observational study using a national administrative health insurance database. All 43 067 adults in the Netherlands, who were diagnosed with or treated for cancer during the year preceding their death in 2017, were included. Main exposure was either generalist or specialist PC initiated >30 days before death (n=16 967). Outcomes were measured over the last 30 days of life, using quality indicators for potentially inappropriate end-of-life care.ResultsIn total, 14 504 patients (34%) experienced potentially inappropriate end-of-life care; 2732 were provided with PC >30 days before death (exposure group) and 11 772 received no PC or ≤30 days before death (non-exposure group) (16% vs 45%, p<0.001). Most patients received generalist PC (88%). Patients provided with PC >30 days before death were 5 times less likely to experience potentially inappropriate end-of-life care (adjusted OR (AOR) 0.20; (95% CI 0.15 to 0.26)) than those with no PC or PC in the last 30 days. Both early (>90 days) and late (>30 and≤90 days) PC initiation had lower odds for potentially inappropriate end-of-life care (AOR 0.23 and 0.19, respectively).ConclusionTimely access to PC in a mixed generalist—specialist PC model significantly decreases the likelihood of potentially inappropriate end-of-life care for patients with cancer. Generalist PC can play a substantial role.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 1-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Gao ◽  
Emeka Chukwusa ◽  
Julia Verne ◽  
Peihan Yu ◽  
Giovanna Polato ◽  
...  

Background Previous studies have revealed that there is significant geographical variation in place of death in (PoD) England, with sociodemographic and clinical characteristics explaining ≤ 25% of this variation. Service factors, mostly modifiable, may account for some of the unexplained variation, but their role had never been evaluated systematically. Methods A national population-based observational study in England, using National Death Registration Database (2014) linked to area-level service data from public domains, categorised by commissioning, type and capacity, location and workforce of the services, and the service use. The relationship between the service variables and PoD was evaluated using beta regression at the area level and using generalised linear mixed models at the patient level. The relative contribution of service factors at the area level was assessed using the per cent of variance explained, measured by R2. The total impact of service factors was evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The independent effect of service variables was measured at the individual level by odds ratios (ORs). Results Among the 431,735 adult deaths, hospitals were the most common PoD (47.3%), followed by care homes (23.1%), homes (22.5%) and hospices (6.1%). One-third (30.3%) of the deaths were due to cancer and two-thirds (69.7%) were due to non-cancer causes. Almost all service categories studied were associated with some of the area-level variation in PoD. Service type and capacity had the strongest link among all service categories, explaining 14.2–73.8% of the variation; service location explained 10.8–34.1% of the variation. The contribution of other service categories to PoD was inconsistent. At the individual level, service variables appeared to be more useful in predicting death in hospice than in hospital or care home, with most AUCs in the fair performance range (0.603–0.691). The independent effect of service variables on PoD was small overall, but consistent. Distance to the nearest care facility was negatively associated with death in that facility. At the Clinical Commissioning Group level, the number of hospices per 10,000 adults was associated with a higher chance of hospice death in non-cancer causes (OR 30.88, 99% confidence interval 3.46 to 275.44), but a lower chance of hospice death in cancer causes. There was evidence for an interaction effect between the service variables and sociodemographic variables on PoD. Limitations This study was limited by data availability, particularly those specific to palliative and end-of-life care; therefore, the findings should be interpreted with caution. Data limitations were partly due to the lack of attention and investment in this area. Conclusion A link was found between service factors and PoD. Hospice capacity was associated with hospice death in non-cancer cases. Distance to the nearest care facility was negatively correlated with the probability of a patient dying there. Effect size of the service factors was overall small, but the interactive effect between service factors and sociodemographic variables suggests that high-quality end-of-life care needs to be built on service-level configuration tailored to individuals’ circumstances. Future work A large data gap was identified and data collection is required nationally on services relevant to palliative and end-of-life care. Future research is needed to verify the identified links between service factors and PoD. Funding The National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research programme.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 22-33
Author(s):  
Clare McKeaveney ◽  
◽  
Tracey McConnell ◽  
Craig Harrison ◽  
Victoria Stone ◽  
...  

Background There are global challenges in relation to an increasingly older population, rising numbers of deaths and the resulting need for end-of-life care. It is imperative for Health and Social Care to examine where people die and forward plan. Aim To establish the place where people have died 2004-2018 and project future place of death care setting by 2040. Materials and Methods Population-based trend analysis of place of death for people that died in Northern Ireland (2004-2018 from Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency) and projections using linear modelling (2019-2040 projections by Office of National Statistics). Results Deaths are projected to increase by 45.9%, from 15,922 in 2018 (of which 36.3% will be aged 85+ years) to 23,231 deaths in 2040 (39.8% aged 85+ years). Between 2004 and 2018, proportions of home and care home (defined as nursing and residential beds) deaths increased (24.5-27% and 16.3-19.4% respectively), while the proportion of hospital deaths declined (51.9-47.6%). If current trends continue, by 2040, deaths within the community (home and care home) will account for between 46.7-55.2% of all deaths. However, if care home capacity is limited at current levels (as of 2018), hospital deaths are projected to account for the largest proportion of deaths by 2040 (51.7%). Discussion Death at an increasing age has implications for end-of-life care provision. This study demonstrates an increasing need for end-oflife care over the next 20-years, particularly within community settings. Projections highlight the need for comprehensive planning to ensure service provision within the community meets the needs of the population.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document