A New Approach to the Identification of Palliative Care Needs and Advanced Chronic Patients among Nursing Home Residents

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Dear Reserchers,

 I have only two issues (which should be improved):

1)Abstract can be improved (the research "conducted in 149 nursing homes Complex Chronic residents", but  your research group included also professionals and this information is no in abstract;

2)The table 1 presented  (among other)sociodemographic data for the sample should be improved.  As you included in the table female, in my opinion you should also include male. As the result the difference between women and men will be more visible

Author Response

Please, see the attachment. 

 

Thank you,

Ana A. Esteban

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

General comments

The study addresses an important clinical issue.Staff working in residential aged care facilities (RACF) must be able to recognise deterioration. Some discussion about staff competence and necessary training to do so could be included.

Life expectancy in RACF is generally about 3 years.

Indicate when the initial assessment and any follow-up assessments should be undertaken..

Note palliative care is not reserved for people who are dying or the last year of life. Better outcomes are achieved in it is introduced early.

20-27% of people living in RACFs have diabetes and usually common commodities. This could be included in the discussion of common commodities e.g. cancer. Diabetes is an under-reported underlying cause of death but is in the top 3 leading causes of death.

Methods

Indicated how residents were selected.

Amend to inclusive language e.g. people/person with chronic conditions, including in the title.

Author Response

Please, see attachment. 

 

Thank you,

Ana A. Esteban

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf