title: Prevalence and predictors of transition to a palliative care approach among hospital inpatients in England.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this research was to quantify the extent of palliative care transitions among patients in two acute hospitals and to identify factors predicting the initiation of a transition to palliative care.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a prospective survey of hospital inpatients in two hospitals in the United Kingdom in which we examined hospital case notes for evidence of palliative care need. Further data were collected from medical staff, nursing staff, patients, and proxy consultees.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 514 participating patients, 183 (36.2 percent) fulfilled criteria for palliative care need. In 61 cases (33 percent), there was evidence of transition to a palliative care approach. There was an increased likelihood of palliative care transition among patients with cancer, dementia, or stroke.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a need for discussion of the meaning, and operationalization, of palliative care transitions if UK policy to increase the extent of transitions is to be enacted. This study has implications internationally, given the increased global focus on the role of the acute hospital in palliative care.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Level 2, Building 505, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, New Zealand. m.gott@auckland.ac.nz
authors.forename: Merryn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gott
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gardiner
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.affiliation: Academic Unit of Supportive Care, Sykes House, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Bill
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Noble
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ingleton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010166:Palliative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies