RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Palliative care integration indicators: an European regional analysis
JF BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care
JO BMJ Support Palliat Care
FD British Medical Journal Publishing Group
SP bmjspcare-2021-003181
DO 10.1136/bmjspcare-2021-003181
A1 Sánchez-Cárdenas, Miguel Antonio
A1 Garralda, Eduardo
A1 Arias-Casais, Natalia Sofia
A1 Benitez Sastoque, Edgar Ricardo
A1 Van Steijn, Danny
A1 Moine, Sébastien
A1 Murray, Scott A
A1 Centeno, Carlos
YR 2021
UL http://spcare.bmj.com/content/early/2021/09/12/bmjspcare-2021-003181.abstract
AB Objective To estimate the capacity of European countries to integrate palliative care (PC) into their health systems through PC service provision for patients of all ages, with different care needs and diseases, in various settings and by a range of providers.Methods Secondary analysis of survey data from 51 countries with 22 indicators explored the integration of available PC resources for children, for patients of all ages, at the primary care level, for oncology and cardiac patients, and in long-term care facilities. We also measured volunteer participation. Results were quantified, converted into weighted subscores by area and combined into a single ‘Integration Capacity Score (ICS)’ for each country.Results Thirty-eight countries reported 543 specialised paediatric PC services. One-third of all surveyed countries reported 20% or more of patients with PC needs at the primary care level. Twenty-four countries have a total of 155 designated centres that integrate oncology and PC. Eight countries were pioneering cardiology services that integrate PC. Eight reported a volunteer workforce of over 1000 and 12 had policies regulating PC provision and interventions in long-term care facilities. Across all indicators, 39 countries (76%) score from low to very low integration capacity, 8 (16%) score at an intermediate level, and 4 (8%; the Netherlands, UK, Germany and Switzerland) report a high-level integration of PC into their health systems.Conclusion Variable progress according to these indicators shows that most European countries are still in the process of integrating PC into their health systems.Data are available upon reasonable request. All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplementary information. All EAPC Atlas data can be accessed from http://dadun.unav.edu/handle/10171/56787 or can be requested from egarralda@ unav.es.