IPOS (Integrated Palliative Outcome Scale)

Integrated Palliative Outcome Scale (9 core items · 0–4 each · Max: 36)

Pain0

NotSlightlyModeratelySeverelyOverwhelmingly

Shortness of Breath0

NotSlightlyModeratelySeverelyOverwhelmingly

Weakness / Lack of Energy0

NotSlightlyModeratelySeverelyOverwhelmingly

Nausea / Feeling Sick0

NotSlightlyModeratelySeverelyOverwhelmingly

Poor Appetite0

NotSlightlyModeratelySeverelyOverwhelmingly

Constipation0

NotSlightlyModeratelySeverelyOverwhelmingly

Feeling Depressed0

NotSlightlyModeratelySeverelyOverwhelmingly

Anxiety / Worry0

NotSlightlyModeratelySeverelyOverwhelmingly

Poor Sense of Wellbeing0

NotSlightlyModeratelySeverelyOverwhelmingly

Quality of Life Screen

Rate the severity of each domain based on the patient's experience over the past 3 days.

Guidelines & Evidence

Verified

Last Review: 2026

When to Use

Overview

The Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale (IPOS) is a multi-dimensional patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) developed to capture the full breadth of palliative care needs — including physical symptoms, psychological wellbeing, spiritual concerns, communication, and practical issues. It was developed through integration of the Palliative care Outcome Scale (POS) and the POS–Symptom module (POS-S), creating a single unified assessment instrument.

Clinical Applications

Routine holistic palliative care needs assessment at first contact and at each clinical review

Identifying unmet needs across physical, psychological, social, and spiritual domains

Patient-clinician communication tool to facilitate discussions about difficult symptoms and concerns

Benchmark for palliative care service quality and outcomes research

Hospital-to-hospice and inpatient-to-community care transition assessment

Advance care planning conversations — identifying patient priorities

Unique Strength: Holistic Capture

Unlike symptom-specific scales (ESAS-r for symptoms; DT for distress), IPOS integrates physical symptoms + emotional + information + family/caregiver + practical concerns into a single coherent assessment, making it the most comprehensive single-administration palliative PROM in routine clinical use.

Related Scores in Practice

In clinical practice, this assessment is frequently evaluated alongside other validated measures. Depending on the patient's presentation and specific diagnostic requirements, you may also need to utilize the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS-r), Distress Thermometer, Palliative Performance Scale (PPSv2) or the Msas Memorial Symptom Assessment to formulate a comprehensive care plan.

Last Comprehensive Review: 2026

Related Palliative Care Tools

Edmonton Symptom Assessment System

Distress Thermometer

Palliative Performance Scale

Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale

Death Rattle Scoring

Respiratory Distress Observation Scale

Morphine Equivalent Daily Dose

Palliative Care Calculators Internal Medicine Calculators Emergency Medicine Calculators

Have feedback about this calculator?Let us know.