Study of the Care Pathway of Patients Admitted to the Palliative Care Unit of Strasbourg University Hospital From Their Home in 2025

Palliative care aims to improve the quality of life of patients with life-threatening illnesses and their families through early identification, assessment, and management of physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs. The demand for palliative care is steadily increasing due to population aging, the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, and earlier identification of palliative needs. In France, access to palliative care remains insufficient, with only about half of estimated needs currently met.

Early integration of palliative care has been shown to improve quality of life, reduce depressive symptoms, and limit aggressive interventions at the end of life, particularly in oncology, with emerging evidence supporting similar benefits in non-cancer chronic diseases. At the same time, healthcare systems face significant pressure, including limited hospital bed capacity and overcrowded emergency departments, highlighting the importance of optimizing care pathways.

This retrospective study aims to analyze the care pathways of patients admitted to the palliative care unit of Strasbourg University Hospitals from their home in 2025. It will compare direct admissions to those preceded by an emergency department visit and identify clinical, organizational, and social factors associated with direct admission. The findings are expected to inform strategies to improve access to palliative care, promote home-based management when appropriate, and reduce avoidable emergency department utilization.