{
  "abstract": "This study aimed to examine age-related differences in referral timing, decision-making, and patterns of care near the end-of-life among patients with cancer. A retrospective cohort study using hospital records linked with national health-insurance claims data was conducted. Adult patients with cancer received palliative care consultations at a tertiary hospital in Korea between 2018 and 2022 were analyzed. Patients were grouped by age (18~44, 45~64, 65~74, 75~84, and over 85 years). Of 6,151 patients, 39% were aged over 65 years. Older patients were referred earlier. Advance statements completion (52.2%) and patient-determined life-sustaining treatment decisions (62.0%) were lowest in the oldest group. Hospice use declined and death in nursing care facilities increased with age. Total medical costs during the last six months of life decreased with age yet remained considerable among older patients. Although older adults were referred earlier to palliative care, they were less likely to make their own treatment decisions, and aggressive care remained common. These findings indicate a need for age-sensitive approaches to improve end-of-life care.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Seoul National University Hospital, Korea"
      ],
      "name": "Sun Young Lee"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Seoul National University Hospital, Korea"
      ],
      "name": "Shin Hye Yoo"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Hallym University, Korea"
      ],
      "name": "Jin-Ah Sim"
    }
  ],
  "title": "G-2 Age-related differences in decision-making and care patterns in palliative cancer care",
  "uid": "69e46a3a-ea19-554f-bd70-66cf96c5e909"
}