Identifying factors affecting utilization of an inpatient palliative care service: a physician survey.

Background: Little is currently known about physicians': (1) level of involvement in and comfort delivering palliative care in the inpatient setting, (2) perceived barriers to referring patients to an inpatient Palliative Care Consult Service (PCCS), and (3) attitudes regarding palliative care.

Methods: Eligible participants included physicians who regularly provide inpatient care at New York Presbyterian Hospital. Two groups of physicians were targeted: those that had referred 1 or more patient to the PCCS and those that had not.