How can Patients with Chronic Progressive Non-Oncological Diseases who Might Benefit from Palliative Care be Identified? A Pilot Study Testing the Supportive and Palliative Care Indicators Tool (SPICT) in a Hospital

Background: In the clinical routine it can be challenging to identify patients who might benefit from palliative care. This pilot study aims at analyzing whether the Supportive and Palliative Care Indicators Tool ( SPICT) is helpful and practical for clinicians in identifying these patients. Methods: Prospective, case-control study of patients with non-oncological cardiovascular or lung diseases in an internal medicine ward. Phase I: Identification of patients by physicians based on their subjective appraisal ("usual practice"). Phase II: Identification using SPICT. Comparison of the number and the concordance of identified patients. Assessment of the feasibility of SPICT. Results: With SPICT ( 13/17 patients, 77%), more patients who might benefit from palliative care were identified than without ( 8/19 patients, 42%). Using SPICT, the concordance between physicians was 77% ( 10/13 patients). The physicians described SPICT as practical and helpful. Conclusion: In the clinical routine, SPICT is a simple and easy-to-use tool to identify patients with chronic, non-oncological diseases who might benefit from palliative care.