Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40724089›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of environmental research and public health2025

From Hospital to Home: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Optimise Palliative Care Discharge Processes.

Matthias Unseld, Timon Wnendt, Christian Sebesta, Jana van Oers, Jonathan Parizek, Lea Kum, Eva Katharina Masel, Pavol Mikula, Hans Jürgen Heppner, Elisabeth Lucia Zeilinger

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in International journal of environmental research and public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Matthias UnseldDepartment of Clinical Research SBG, Academy for Ageing Research, Haus der Barmherzigkeit, 1160 Vienna, Austria.
Timon WnendtDepartment of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, 1010 Vienna, Austria.
Christian SebestaDivision of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.ORCID 0009-0001-7504-8506
Jana van OersDivision of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
Jonathan ParizekDivision of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
Lea KumDivision of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.ORCID 0000-0002-7751-7994
Eva Katharina MaselDivision of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.ORCID 0000-0001-6415-4488
Pavol MikulaMedical Campus Upper Franconia (MCO), Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.ORCID 0009-0002-5974-9844
Hans Jürgen HeppnerMedical Campus Upper Franconia (MCO), Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.ORCID 0000-0002-9105-720X
Elisabeth Lucia ZeilingerDepartment of Clinical Research SBG, Academy for Ageing Research, Haus der Barmherzigkeit, 1160 Vienna, Austria.ORCID 0000-0002-0625-500X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The transition from hospital-based palliative care to home care is a critical phase often marked by logistical, medical, and emotional challenges. Effective discharge planning is essential to ensure continuity of care, yet gaps in communication, interdisciplinary coordination, and access to resources frequently hinder this process. This qualitative study explored key barriers, related support needs, and strategies for optimising palliative care discharge through semi-structured interviews with 28 participants, including healthcare professionals, recently discharged palliative care patients, and primary caregivers. Reflexive thematic analysis revealed five main themes: (1) discharge planning and coordination; (2) symptom management and medication; (3) psychosocial support; (4) communication and information; (5) the role of assistive devices and home care services. Discharge processes were often late or unstructured. Poor interdisciplinary collaboration and a lack of caregiver preparation also contributed to hospital readmissions and emotional distress. By focusing on needs, our analysis identifies not only what was lacking but also what is required to overcome these barriers. Our findings suggest that standardised discharge protocols and checklists, earlier planning, structured communication tools, and improved integration of home care services could enhance patient outcomes and reduce caregiver burden. Addressing psychosocial needs and ensuring timely access to assistive devices are also crucial. Strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration and refining discharge practices can facilitate smoother transitions and improve the quality of palliative care at home.

Indexed as

Home Care ServicesPalliative CarePatient DischargeAdultCaregiversFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedQualitative Researchdischarge planningend-of-life carehome-based carehospital dischargeinterview studypalliative carequalitative research

Identifiers

PMID40724089
PMCPMC12296157

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.