Oncologist Perspectives on Timely Hospice Referral: A Qualitative Study

Andrew Lynch, Andrea Altschuler, Joseph P. Cosgrove, Hannah Whitehead, Corey Schwartz, Raymond Liu, Mina Chang, Department of Medical Oncology, San Francisco Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, San Francisco, Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Department of Geriatrics and Continuing Care, The Permanente Medical Group, Supportive Care Services, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Department of Oncology, Kaiser Permanente Vallejo Medical Center, Department of Palliative Care, Redwood City Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Redwood City, Hospice East Bay, Pleasant Hill

American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®

Published online on March 07, 2026

Abstract

American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®, Ahead of Print.
IntroductionLate hospice referral rates are on the rise and are associated with negative outcomes at the end of life (EoL). Rates of late hospice referral vary drastically from oncologist to oncologist, and behavioral and psychological factors among ...