Morgan, Deidre D; Tieman, Jennifer J; Allingham, Samuel F; Ekström, Magnus P; Connolly, Alanna; Currow, David C
Understanding current patterns of functional decline will inform patient care and has health service and resource implications. Data were collected from 55,954 patients cared for in hospices, hospitals and at home. Changes in functional status were measured using the Australia-modified Karnofsky Performance Status Scale. Two simplified trajectories of functional decline in the last 4 months of life were identified for five patient cohorts. Both trajectories present opportunities to plan for responsive healthcare that will support patients and families.
Fulltext available in Palliative Medicine