Canadians With Opioid Use Disorder Less Likely To Receive Palliative Care Before Death

People with opioid use disorder (OUD) in Ontario, Canada were less likely to receive palliative care services during the 90 days before death than people without OUD. Palliative care includes goods and services to address physical concerns, such as pain, nausea, or shortness of breath. It also includes support for the person and their caregivers/family to address emotional, spiritual, and social concerns, and grief support for the family after the death.

Those with OUD died at younger ages and were more likely to live in neighborhoods with higher levels of deprivation. Palliative care intensity was 16% lower for people . . .