Referral Practices of Cardiologists to Specialist Palliative Care in Canada.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Patients with heart failure have palliative care needs that can be effectively addressed by specialist palliative care (SPC). Despite this, SPC utilization by this patient population is low, suggesting barriers to SPC referral. We sought to determine the referral practices of cardiologists to SPC.

Methods

Cardiologists across Canada were invited to participate in a survey about their referral practices to SPC. Associations between referral practices and demographic, professional, and attitudinal factors were analyzed using multiple and logistic regression.

Results

The response rate was 51% (551 of 1082). Between 35.1% and 64.2% of respondents were unaware of referral criteria to local SPC services. Of the respondents, 29% delayed SPC referral because of pro

SUBMITTER: Bonares MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8129434 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature