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Estimating the need for palliative care services in Australia by 2042
Isaiah Luc, Ann Dadich, Caroline Laurence. BMC Palliative Care, 2026-03-27
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
The two methods demonstrated a growing need for palliative care in the observed and projected period. From 2011 to 2022, there was an 18 to 30% increase in the number of people who needed palliative care. From 2023 to 2042, there will be an increase of 37 to 65% in the number of people needing palliative care. People aged over 85 years, as well as people living with cancer and dementia are expected to drive the future need for palliative care. The need for palliative care in regional and remote areas is greater than that in the major cities. Current workforce trends in Australia are unlikely to meet the growing need for palliative care. Future palliative care services must be developed in line with these findings and further research is required ensure an adequate supply of palliative care to match the expected demand.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Luc, I., Dadich, A., & Laurence, C. (2026). Estimating the need for palliative care services in Australia by 2042. BMC Palliative Care. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-026-02073-5
Vancouver
Luc I, Dadich A, Laurence C. Estimating the need for palliative care services in Australia by 2042. BMC Palliative Care. 2026. doi:10.1186/s12904-026-02073-5. PMID: 41896825.
BibTeX
@article{luc2026-41896825,
author = {Luc, Isaiah and Dadich, Ann and Laurence, Caroline},
title = {{Estimating the need for palliative care services in Australia by 2042}},
journal = {BMC Palliative Care},
year = {2026},
doi = {10.1186/s12904-026-02073-5},
pmid = {41896825},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-026-02073-5}
}
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
Key findings
- The two methods demonstrated a growing need for palliative care in the observed and projected period.
- From 2011 to 2022, there was an 18 to 30% increase in the number of people who needed palliative care.
- From 2023 to 2042, there will be an increase of 37 to 65% in the number of people needing palliative care.
- People aged over 85 years, as well as people living with cancer and dementia are expected to drive the future need for palliative care.
- The need for palliative care in regional and remote areas is greater than that in the major cities.
Why it matters
This analysis projects a growing need for palliative care in Australia, with people living with dementia among those expected to drive future need. It notes that current workforce trends are unlikely to meet this growing need.
Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 36/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (BMC Palliative Care) |
| Journal's citation record | 1 / 4 | BMC Palliative Care: journal h-index 88 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 5 / 5 | 2026 — within 1 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 1 / 7 | Cited 1 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 0 / 5 | 0.5 citations a year over 2 year(s) since 2026 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 6.4× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 0 / 4 | Cited 1 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Caroline Laurence: h-index 24 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | The University of Adelaide: institution h-index 918 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 3 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 41896825) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 36 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.1186/s12904-026-02073-5
- PubMed: 41896825
- Original source →
- Free full text: BMC Palliative Care →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
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