How continuity of care is experienced within the context of integrated palliative care: A qualitative study with patients and family caregivers in five European countries

Abstract

Patients and family caregivers most likely experience continuity of care by having a small number of trusted health care professionals who are available, provide multidisciplinary care and regularly transfer information to all health care professionals involved. Optimizing continuity of care requires further integration of integrated palliative care initiatives with other health care professionals involved in the patients' care networks.