Individually Tailored Palliative Care in a Rural Region: A Representative Chart Survey and Physicians’ Experiences with Integrated Care

Table 3

Characteristics of end-of-life period ( patients).

		%
Functional status when palliative care started
Bedridden, dependent	10	11.0
Limited self-care, bedridden >50% of time awake	14	15.4
Unable to work <50% time bedridden	14	15.4
Able to work, some daily activities possible	16	17.6
Normal activity possible	37	40.7
Patient’s location when palliative care started
Within town (village)	26	28.6
Farm house beyond the towns’ limits	51	56.0
Nursing home or hospice	14	15.4
Generations in household
Patient alone (with nursing support)	2	2.2
One-generation household (e.g., partner)	35	38.5
Two-generation household	36	39.6
Three-generation household	18	19.8
Hospital care
Hospital care required	46	50.5
Temporarily	19	34.5
Place of death
At home	55	60.4
Nursing home or hospice in nursing home	13	14.3
Hospital, rehabilitation facility, or hospital palliative care unit	23	25.3
Symptoms requiring intervention
Weakness	71	78.0
Loss of appetite	65	71.4
Fatigue	56	61.5
Pain	50	54.9
Family problems	40	44.0
Needing support with daily activities	39	42.9
Nausea	37	40.7
Shortness of breath	32	35.2
Difficulties coping with situation	32	35.2
Constipation	25	27.5
Vomitus	19	20.9
Wounds	18	19.8
Medication during end-of-life care
Opioids WHO III	60	65.9
Opioids WHO II	19	20.9
Nonopioid analgesics	60	65.9
Proton inhibitors	62	68.1
Sedatives	48	52.7
Laxatives	38	41.8
Corticosteroids	51	56.0
Neuroleptics	16	17.6
Diuretics	25	27.5
Antidepressants	17	18.7
Cardiac medication	12	13.2
Duration of palliative care, in months (average, SD, range)	5.3 (4.2)	0–20

  means % unless marked otherwise; means multiple answers possible.