title: Access and referral to specialist palliative care: patients' and professionals' experiences.
abstract: The aim of this study was to explore the reasons why patients and families are referred to specialist palliative care. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with patients and professionals from primary care and specialist palliative care services in the north of England. A content analysis of the transcripts was undertaken, key issues were identified and common themes grouped. Twelve professionals working in specialist palliative care, three GPs, six community nurses and thirteen patients were interviewed (n = 34). Five key themes are reported: reasons why patients are referred to specialist palliative care; reasons why patients are not referred to specialist palliative care; timeliness of referrals; continuity of care; and use of referral criteria. It was found that the professionals in primary care would like more training and education about how to refer patients to specialist palliative care and how to deal with issues of death and dying. The patients were generally satisfied with the service but wanted to be able to be supported at home in their final days. Further training and education may improve the knowledge of professionals who refer patients to specialist palliative care. There are currently no standardized criteria in the UK to determine when a referral should be triggered. The development of a set of standardized referral criteria may be useful in aiding a referral decision.
authors.affiliation: Academic Palliative Medicine Unit, Division of Clinical Sciences (South), Section of Surgical and Anaesthetic Sciences, University of Sheffield, K Floor, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Glossop Road, Sheffield S10 2JF, UK. j.c.bestall@sheffield.ac.uk
authors.forename: Janine C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Bestall
authors.forename: Nisar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: Sam H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Ahmedzai
authors.forename: Sheila A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Payne
authors.forename: Bill
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Noble
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Clark
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D003657:Decision Making; D004739:England; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008511:Medicine; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013038:Specialization