A Cross-Sectional Survey of the Activity of Palliative Care Teams in Portugal. (November 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gonçalves, Ferraz; Almeida, Ana; Antunes, Catarina; Cardoso, Alice; Carvalho, Margarida; Claro, Maria; Coimbra, Francisca; Diniz, Inês; Fonseca, Bruno; Fradique, Emília; Gonçalves, Edna; Gonçalves, Florbela; Gonçalves, Maria; Magalhães, Américo; Pina, Paulo; Pires, Conceição; Silva, Paula; Silva, Ricardo; Silva, Rui; Tavares, Filipa; Teixeira, Laura
• Is Part Of: American journal of hospice & palliative care. Volume 30:Number 7(2013)
• Page Start: 648
• Page End: 651
• Publication Date: 2013-11
• Subjects: palliative care -- survey -- palliative care teams; Hospice care -- Periodicals; Palliative treatment -- Periodicals; 362.175
• DOI: 10.1177/1049909112469718
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1049-9091

Abstract

Of the 21 Portuguese teams identified, 10 accepted to participate in the study. A total of 164 patients were included with a median of 15.5 per team (4-32). Of all the patients included, 60 (37%) were identified as inpatients in palliative care units; 59 (36%) by an intrahospital support team; 26 (16%) as outpatients; and 19 (12%) at home. The median age was 71 years (16-95). Fifty-one percent were females. The diagnosis was cancer in 151 (92%) patients. The most common cancer was colorectal in 22 (15%) patients, followed by gastric 17 (11%), head and neck 17 (11%), breast 15 (10%), and lung cancers 14 (9%). All patients were treated by doctors and nurses experienced in palliative care.