Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND Malignant brain tumors inevitably recur, leading to progressive neurological decline. Palliative care is essential for optimizing patient outcomes, yet its integration into neuro-oncology remains inconsistent. We conducted a nationwide survey to evaluate palliative care practices among German neuro-oncologists and assessed the impact of physicians’ comfort on end-of-life discussions in patient care. MATERIAL AND METHODS A nationwide, anonymous survey was distributed to 481 neuro-oncologists who are members of the Neuro-oncology Working Group of the German Cancer Society. The questionnaire, developed in collaboration with board-certified palliative care specialists, evaluated physicians’ demographic characteristics, palliative care knowledge, and access to palliative care resources. RESULTS Of 92 respondents, 81 (88%) reported comfort in discussing end-of-life issues, while 11 (12%) expressed discomfort. Physicians comfortable with these discussions more frequently addressed withholding of life-sustaining interventions (88% versus 55%, p=0.011), arranged home care (81% versus 64%, p=0.019), and facilitated hospice placement (68% versus 36%, p=0.021). They also initiated these conversations earlier and observed greater patient receptivity to palliative care (p=0.049). These associations remained significant in multivariable logistic regression. CONCLUSION While most neuro-oncologists report comfort with end-of-life discussions, this comfort strongly influences timing and extent of palliative care integration. Our findings highlight the need for structured palliative care training to ensure timely and effective discussions, ultimately improving care for neuro-oncological patients.
Source: Neuro-Oncology
Authors: L Lazaridis, N B Pepper, P Klein, C Oster, S Agkatsev, I Mildenberger, R Berg, S Seidel, S Sharma, R Bodensohn, P Hau, G Tabatabai, P Roser, B Mallmann, C Kleinschnitz, U Sure, C Seliger, M Glas, M Platten, S Combs, M Müther, S Kebir
Institutions: Universitätsklinikum Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Ruhr University Bochum, University of Münster, University Hospital Münster, University of Duisburg-Essen, Heidelberg University, Medizinische Fakultät Mannheim, Alfried Krupp Hospital, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, University Hospital Regensburg, University of Regensburg, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, University of Zurich, Essen University Hospital, Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik Zürich, Katholisches Klinikum Lünen/Werne , St.-Marien-Hospital Lünen, TUM Klinikum, Technical University of Munich
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4414800040
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