Physician-Related Gaps in Hospice Referral for Patients with Advanced Dementia.

PURPOSE

Providing essential end-of-life care for patients with advanced dementia depends on physicians' ability to identify eligible individuals and refer them to hospice services. In practice, however, such referrals are often delayed-or not made at all. This study aimed to examine the factors associated with physicians' knowledge and attitudes toward referring patients with advanced dementia to home hospice care, and to compare characteristics of those who refer with those who do not.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study assessed physicians' knowledge and attitudes regarding hospice services for patients with advanced dementia. A dedicated questionnaire was developed for the purpose of the study, based on a representative clinical case involving a patient with advanced dementia.

RESULTS

A total of 200 physicians participated in the study. While 84.3% had treated at least one patient with advanced dementia in the past six months, only 88 physicians (44.2%) reported referring to home hospice care such patients during that time. Moreover, only 6% of physicians correctly answered all four knowledge questions on the topic. No significant differences were observed between referring and non-referring physicians in terms of participation in dedicated training, knowledge level, or attitudes. Higher professional status (board certification) and the number of advanced dementia patients treated in the previous six months were the only independent predictors of referral.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed substantial gaps in the recognition of advanced dementia and in the timely referral of affected patients to hospice care among community-based family physicians and hospital-based internists. Targeted training in hospice care for all relevant physicians, coupled with structured exposure to end-stage dementia patients and hospice services during residency, may improve clinical awareness and increase the likelihood of appropriate and timely referrals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study received an exemption from the Meir Hospital Helsinki Committee.