Factors That Determine the Experience of Transition to an Inpatient Palliative Care Unit for Patients and Caregivers: A Qualitative Study.

Transitions in care settings near the end of life can present challenges to patients and families, especially when there are also adjustments in level of care and illness trajectory. In this study, we explored what factors influenced how patients and family caregivers experienced a transition to an inpatient Palliative Care Unit (PCU). This qualitative study was conducted at a PCU in Toronto, Canada.