Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 on Inpatient Palliative Care Services in Japan: A Hybrid Time-Series Analysis Before, During, and After the Pandemic Using 10-Year Claims Data

The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced inpatient palliative care services, particularly since its sixth wave. The reclassification of COVID-19 to Category 5 showed immediate positive effects, suggesting that policy interventions can effectively restore palliative care services. These findings highlight the vulnerability of palliative care, impact of policy interventions during pandemics, and need for strategic planning in a future-aging society.