Defining the patient population: one of the problems for palliative care research.
There is a lack of clear definition and clear inclusion criteria in palliative care research. The aim of this study was to describe consequences of three inclusion criteria in the build up of different study populations, studied in terms of size, number of doctor-patient contacts and demographic characteristics. General practitioners received a questionnaire for all patients who died during the second Dutch National Survey of General Practice (n=2194), to determine whether (1) patients received non-curative treatment; (2) patients received palliative care; and (3) death was expected (total response rate =73%). The criterion 'death was expected' included most patients (62%) followed by 'palliative care' (46%) and 'noncurative treatment' (39%). Similarity between the definition-based populations was fair to moderate. More 'palliative care' and 'death was expected' in patients who had cancer than 'non-curative treatment' patients. The conclusions show substantial differences in populations according to the different inclusion criteria used to select them. Future research in palliative care should acknowledge the limitations of using certain inclusion criteria and explore potential bias.
Borgsteede
Sander D
SD
Department of Public and Occupational Health, VU University Medical Center, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands. s.borgsteede@vumc.nl
Deliens
Luc
L
Francke
Anneke L
AL
Stalman
Wim A B
WA
Willems
Dick L
DL
van Eijk
Jacques T M
JT
van der Wal
Gerrit
G
D000328:Adult; D002423:Cause of Death; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018579:Patient Selection