• Yiping Chen, Liyuan Hou, Wei Li, Qiaohong Wang, Wentao Zhou, and Hui Yang.
• School of Nursing, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China.
• Curr Med Res Opin. 2023 Feb 1; 39 (2): 267279267-279.

ObjectiveThis systematic review aimed to identify the referral criteria for palliative care in patients with Parkinson's disease.MethodsWe conducted an electronic search for publications on referral criteria for palliative care in patients with Parkinson's disease in six electronic databases. The articles were thoroughly reviewed by two independent reviewers for inclusion using a predefined data extraction list. The referral criteria were thematically classified using a coding methodology.ResultsThis systematic review included 36 publications. We identified 14 referral criteria themes. The most common referral indicators were functional decline (n = 11 [31%]), needs assessment tools (n = 11 [31%]), physical or emotional symptoms (n = 10[28%]), need for palliative care (n = 10 [28%]), decision support (n = 9 [25%]), advanced Parkinson's disease (n = 7[19%]), and diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (n = 7 [19%]). However, there was a lack of consensus on symptom assessment tools. In addition, there were no agreed cut-offs or defined time for palliative care referral for patients with Parkinson's disease.ConclusionsThe 14 themes identified in this systematic review were categorized into disease- and needs-based criteria. These themes show the wide range of referral timing and procedures. Further studies should be conducted to reveal standardized referral criteria.

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