ArticlePloS one2026
Perspectives on hospice and palliative care in an academic setting: An exploratory interview study with patients and relatives to inform the development of an academic inpatient hospice.
Article in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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.
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.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
9 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundAlthough palliative and hospice care are essential for individuals with life-limiting illnesses, academic inpatient hospices, which combine care with research and education, remain rare. This study explores the experiences, perceptions, and expectations of patients and their relatives regarding palliative and hospice care with the aim of informing the development of an academic inpatient hospice.
methodsSemi-structured individual and dyadic interviews were conducted with patients and relatives who had experience with palliative and hospice care services in an academic setting in Germany. The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.
resultsA total of 14 interviews were conducted with 17 participants (10 patients, 7 relatives). Participants reported initial uncertainty and skepticism regarding palliative and hospice care; however, direct experiences led to more positive attitudes. Key aspects valued included psychosocial support, effective symptom management, and a non-clinical atmosphere. The preservation of autonomy and dignity, meaningful personal interactions, and the active involvement of relatives were considered essential. The transition from a hospital-based palliative care unit to an inpatient hospice was often perceived as abrupt and emotionally challenging, creating a risk of losing established familiarity. Participants responded positively to the idea of an academic inpatient hospice. They highlighted the potential benefits of integrating palliative and hospice services within a unified and familiar environment, including smoother transitions and continuity of care.
conclusionsAn academic inpatient hospice offers opportunities to address end-of-life care needs by strengthening existing structures and ensuring continuity and comprehensiveness of care. It can support patient-centered care, provide a platform for education and research, and promote greater public awareness and understanding of palliative and hospice care.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
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.