Cost trajectories from the final life year reveal intensity of end-of-life care and can help to guide palliative care interventions

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Abstract
Objective Exploration of healthcare utilisation patterns in the final life year to assess palliative care potential. Methods Retrospective cluster analyses (k-means) of anonymised healthcare expenditure (HCE) trajectories, derived from health insurance claims of a representative sample of Swiss decedents who died between 2008 and 2010 (2 age classes: 4818 Results 3 (Conclusions Cost trajectory clustering is well suited for first-pass population screenings of groups that warrant closer inspection to improve end-of-life healthcare allocation. The Swiss data suggest that many decedents undergo intensive medical treatment until shortly before death. Investigations into the clinical circumstances and motives of patients and physicians may help to guide palliative care.

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