A Study on the Development of Palliative Care Units From the Perspective of Cancer Patients’ Care

This study examined palliative care units (PCUs) opened in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2023). Forty facilities were identified, of which 33 were surveyed in detail. Most were renovated wards within existing hospitals, and the establishment pace was about half that before the pandemic. The proportion of private rooms remained stagnant, and regional disparities persisted. Statistical analysis showed that higher private-room ratios and larger floor areas per bed were associated with greater proportions of terminal care admissions. Findings highlight ongoing challenges in equitable PCU distribution and facility design to meet evolving end-of-life care needs.