Point Prevalence Survey of Palliative Care Needs in Hospitals and Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly.

NCT07313748 | Active Not Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 8190
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 3,000
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

The goal of this observational, point-prevalence study is to assess the burden of palliative care needs among adults hospitalised in Internal Medicine and Geriatrics wards, and among residents of long-term care facilities, on the National Palliative Care Day (11 November). The main question it aims to answer is: What is the prevalence of unmet palliative care needs in hospital and long-term care settings on 11 November? Participants (patients and residents) will be evaluated through a structured, web-based questionnaire designed for this study. The survey will collect clinical, functional, and symptom-related data- including comorbidities, mobility, nutritional status, dysphagia, pressure ulcers, indicators of palliative care needs (NECPAL), pain assessment, and delirium screening (4AT)-to produce a detailed snapshot of palliative care needs across settings.

Conditions

Palliative Care, Health Services

Keywords

PALLIATIVE CARE; unmet needs; HOSPITAL; LONG-TERM RESIDENCE

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Prevalence

  Prevalence of palliative care needs

  1 DAY

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consists of adults (≥18 years) hospitalised in Internal Medicine and Geriatrics wards, as well as residents of participating long-term care facilities for older adults (RSA Medicalizzata, R2, R2D, R3) on 11 November, the National Palliative Care Day. Participants represent a heterogeneous group of medically complex individuals, typically characterised by multimorbidity, functional impairment, advanced age, and a high burden of chronic disease. All eligible patients and residents present on the day of assessment will be considered for inclusion, provided informed consent can be obtained directly or with the support of a caregiver or legal proxy.

You may qualify if:

• Age ≥ 18 years
• Admitted to participating Internal Medicine or Geriatrics wards or resident in participating long-term care facilities for older adults (medicalised nursing homes: RSA Medicalizzata, R2, R2D, R3) on 11 November (National Palliative Care Day)
• Able to provide: written informed consent for study participation and data processing, or oral consent supported by a relative/caregiver/legal proxy

You may not qualify if:

• \- Inability to provide written informed consent and absence of a relative/caregiver/legal proxy able to support oral consent for participation and data processing

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS: lead

Study Sites (2)

Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS

Roma, Rome, 00168, Italy

Location

Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS

Roma, 00168, Italy

Location

Study Officials

• Graziano Onder

  Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Target Duration: 1 Day
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 21, 2025
• First Posted: January 2, 2026
• Study Start: November 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: November 11, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 30, 2026
• Last Updated: January 2, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-11

Locations

IT (2)