The presence of hospital-based palliative care programs: A resource dependence perspective

Background: The presence of hospital-based palliative care programs has risen over time in the United States. Nevertheless, organizational and environmental factors that contribute to the presence of hospital-based palliative care programs are unclear. Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the role of organizational and environmental factors associated with the presence of hospital-based palliative care programs using resource dependence theory. Methodology: Panel data from 2000 to 2009 American Hospital Association Annual Survey and the Area Resource File were used in this study. A random-effect logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between organizational and environmental factors and the presence of hospital-based palliative care programs. Findings: Hospitals with higher Medicare inpatient days, located in counties with higher Medicare managed penetration, and larger hospitals had greater odds of having a hospital-based palliative care program. Although hospitals in counties that have a higher percentage of individuals 65 years and older, for-profit and government hospitals were less likely to have a hospital-based palliative care program. Practice Implications: Hospitals will vary in the organizational resources available to them, as such, administrators' awareness of the relationship between resources and palliative care programs can help determine the relevance of a program in their hospital.