Researchers publish a study to improve palliative care for patients using process mining techniques
A team from the Universitat de València (UV), the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) and the University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca in Murcia has identified discrepancies between actual clinical needs and current care pathways in the hospital setting of palliative care. The study, carried out using process mining technology, calls for a revision of the existing systems, proposes measures for their improvement, and highlights the potential of data sciences in research within this field.
18 de july de 2025
The study is based on a retrospective analysis of anonymised clinical records of 85 adult and 57 paediatrics patients, comprising over 4,600 healthcare episodes at the University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca (Murcia). The cases were analysed using process mining techniques (PM), a system that applies data science to identify, validate, and enhance workflows.
With the aid of this technology, the research team was able to visualise and assess actual care pathways, compare them with theoretical models, and demonstrate the existence of clinical variabilities and inefficient practices that often place excessive strain on the system, such as delays in referrals or unsustainable bottlenecks.
Based on the findings, the article advocates for a revision and update of the theoretical models used in palliative care—i.e., the current patient care processes. It recommends standardising clinical data collection formats to enable automated analysis, and it suggests implementing continuous analysis systems based on process mining. Such systems would facilitate the detection of deviations, improve care coordination, and ensure the delivery of high-quality care.
The article Mapping of care pathways in pediatric and adult palliative care in Spain: A case study presents the most recent findings from the project Palliahelp, led by Francisco Ródenas from the Polibienestar Research Institute. This multidisciplinary research project aims to develop a tool for assessing the quality of palliative care services within the National Health System.
“Our aim is to understand the determinants of care quality, not from a clinic perspective, but from the the standpoint of needs assessment and service management”, explains Francisco Ródenas, co-author of the article and Main Researcher of the Palliahelp project (PID2019-110997RB-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033) at the Polibienestar Research Institute, Universitat de València. “Improving care coordination will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the health system”, he concludes.
Reference:
Mapping of care pathways in pediatric and adult palliative care in Spain: A case study. Tania Ruiz-Gil, Francisco Ródenas-Rigla, Zoe Valero-Ramon and María Dolores Rodríguez Rabadán. Palliative and Supportive Care 2025.