Characteristics of Referral to a Multidisciplinary Palliative Home Care Team

Abstract

Introduction Until now, in Belgium at least, no scientific information has been available about which patients are referred to multidisciplinary palliative home care teams (MHCT) and by which caregivers, nor about timing of referral and factors associated with it. Methods A prospective cohort study was carried out during a nine-month period in the oldest Flemish MHCT, and included all patients for whom a palliative care trajectory had been initiated. Results In total, 325 patients (54% male, mean age 71 years, 83% cancer patients) were referred: 25% by their GP, 24% by hospital social workers, and 22% by the patient's family. Median timing of referral was 26 days (IQR 8–78) before death. Patients of 75 years or older were more likely to have been referred later by comparison with younger patients. Discussion Timely referral to a MHCT seems to be difficult and not equal for all patients. Referral timing varies largely by age groups and diseases.