Palliative care patient complexity criteria: scoping review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37914/riis.v8i2.425Keywords:
palliative care, complexity, classificationAbstract
Background: the multifaceted nature of palliative care requires continuous monitoring by a specialised team to ensure appropriate referral. Objective: to map existing evidence on the concept of complexity in palliative care and establish a consensus on classification processes for patients with palliative care needs. Methodology: a scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology, using predefined eligibility criteria based on the mnemonic Population, Concept and Context. The search strategy included the CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE Complete and Science Direct databases. The inclusion criteria encompassed studies focused on adult populations in need of palliative care, studies reflecting the complexity of palliative care needs, and describing systems that characterise the complexity levels of patients. Results: of the five studies included, there was no consensus on the concept of complexity in Palliative Care. However, several common criteria emerged, including the presence of physical symptoms requiring management, functional decline, issues related to socio-family support, and ethical considerations. Conclusion: considering the limited number of available studies, further research is needed to establish a universally accepted concept. In Portugal, developing clear and unequivocal referral criteria aligned with patient complexity is essential to ensure appropriate levels of care.
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