The Ethics of Prioritizing Access to Palliative Care: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Palliative care services are increasingly required to consider issues of resource, management as demand for services increases. The processes of triage have been developed in health care as a means of balancing need and resources in an equitable and reproducible way. Objective: This article sought to explore ethical issues associated with prioritization decisions in palliative care. Methods: As part of a broader series of studies of triage in palliative care, this qualitative substudy was conducted via semi-structured focus groups and individual interviews. Transcripts were subjected to thematic analysis. Setting/Participants: Twenty health professionals working across disciplines (primary, ..