Publication:

Admission time regarding palliative care consultation among cancer and non-cancer inpatients: a cross-sectional study

Background Palliative care is a critical component of modern healthcare, yet disparities may exist in its application. A knowledge gap persists regarding the timing of palliative care consultation for non-cancer patients compared to cancer patients, particularly in non-academic hospital settings. This study aimed to address this gap.

Methods A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted at Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Hospital. Data were collected from medical records and consultation logs of 136 inpatients referred for palliative care between September and November 2024. Participants were selected via quota sampling and divided into two equal groups: 68 cancer patients and 68 non-cancer patients.

Results The median time from admission to palliative care consultation was 5.5 days for the cancer group and 7 days for the non-cancer group; this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.26). Similarly, no significant differences were found in the median total length of stay (10 vs. 11 days, p=0.59) or the median length of stay from consultation to discharge or death (3 vs. 2 days, p=0.11).

Conclusions This study found no statistically significant difference in the timing of palliative care consultation between cancer and non-cancer patients in a regional hospital setting. However, non-cancer patients were more critically ill upon consultation, as indicated by lower performance scores and greater reliance on life support, suggesting that referrals still occur late in their illness trajectory.