Table 3 Main themes from extraction and analysis of documents (n = 12)

Denmark

People living with cancer in all phases of the disease trajectory, including those living with incurable disease.

Community health care

R and PC separate care pathways

Time of referral inconsistent, but important for integration of R and PC.

R and PC overlap but goals are unclear.

Defines the term “palliative rehabilitation”.

Advocates for integration of R and PC although differences still exist.

France

People who need palliative care services.

Hospitals

R is part of holistic care planning in PC

MDT should include rehabilitation practitioners.

ND

Italy

People with advanced cancer with complex needs and need of PC, also in terminal stage.

Both in the specialist- and community health care

Essential part of care pathway throughout the disease trajectory

Comprehensive approach with focus on QoL, R essential part of PC service, multidisciplinary team require RP competence.

ND

Norway

All people with cancer regardless of curative or palliative intention.

Both in hospital and community setting

Early in the disease trajectory

R considered part of PC through common goals and use of MDT including RPs.

R should be available to all cancer patients

UK

All with people with cancer, although access is variable but expanding for people with progressively deteriorating cancers.

Hospitals, hospices, and primary care

Throughout disease trajectory

R as part of supportive care, is essential to patients with complex needs to improve QoL. Assessment of needs should include R.

AHPs have specialist role and part in the PC MDT.

Research on R in PC is lacking and should focus on the patients’ needs.