title: Classification of a palliative care population in a comprehensive cancer centre.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purposes of the present study were to classify the palliative care population (PCP) in a comprehensive cancer centre by using information on antineoplastic treatment options and to analyse associations between socio-demographic factors, cancer diagnoses, treatment characteristics and receiving specialist palliative care (SPC).
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a cross-sectional screening study of patients with cancer in the Department of Oncology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital for 6 months. Patients were assessed to be included in the DOMUS study: a randomised controlled trial of accelerated transition to SPC at home (NCT01885637). The PCP was classified as patients with incurable cancer and limited or no antineoplastic treatment options. Patients with performance status 2-4 were further classified as the essential palliative care population (EPCP).
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the study period, 3717 patients with cancer were assessed. The PCP comprised 513 patients yielding a prevalence of 14 %. The EPCP comprised 256 patients (7 %). The EPCP was older, more likely inpatients, had a higher comorbidity burden and 38 % received SPC. Women, patients without caregivers and patients with breast cancer were more likely to receive SPC.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  By using objective criteria from clinical data and systematic screening, the observed prevalence of the PCP of 14 % may be generalisable to comprehensive cancer centres with similar composition of cancer diagnoses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark. kirstine.skov.benthien@regionh.dk.|Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Copenhagen University, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2000, Copenhagen, Denmark. kirstine.skov.benthien@regionh.dk.
authors.forename: Kirstine Skov
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1487-8370
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Benthien
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.|Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Copenhagen University, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2000, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Mie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nordly
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Copenhagen University, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2000, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Videbæk
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.|Multidisciplinary Pain Centre, Department of Neuroanaesthesiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Geana Paula
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Kurita
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.|Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Copenhagen University, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2000, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: von der Maase
authors.affiliation: Knowledge Centre for Rehabilitation and Palliative Care, University of Southern Denmark, Oester Farimagsgade 5A, 1353, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Helle
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Timm
authors.affiliation: Finsen Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Mette Kildevæld
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Simonsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.|Unit of Survivorship Research, The Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Strandboulevarden 49, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Christoffer
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Johansen
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.|Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Copenhagen University, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2000, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sjøgren
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002173:Cancer Care Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017028:Caregivers; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000145:classification*
keywords: Demography; Neoplasm; Palliative care; Population characteristics