Evaluation of 12 pilot projects to improve outpatient palliative care

Schmidt-Wolf G, Elsner F, Lindena G, Hilgers RD, Heussen N, Rolke R, Ostgathe C, Radbruch L (2013)

Publication Status: Published

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2013

Journal

Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift Georg Thieme Verlag

Publisher: Georg Thieme Verlag

Book Volume: 138

Pages Range: 2585-2591

Journal Issue: 50

DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1359858

Abstract

Background: With a priority programme the German Cancer Aid supported the development of quality-assured outpatient palliative care to cover the whole country. The 12 regional pilot projects funded with the aim to improve outpatient palliative care in different models and different frameworks were concurrently monitored and evaluated. Methods: The supported projects, starting and ending individually, documented all patients who were cared for using HOPE (Hospice and palliative care evaluation) and MIDOS (Minimal documentation system for palliative patients). Total data were analyzed for 3239 patients decriptively. In addition to the quantitative data the experiences of the projects were recorded in a number of workshops (2008, 2009, 2010, and 2012). In particular, the experiences reported in the final meeting in July 2012 were considered for this article as well as the final reports for the German Cancer Aid. Results: In the quantitative evaluation 85.6 % of 3239 palliative care patients had a cancer diagnosis. In all model projects the goal of a network with close cooperation of primary providers, social support, and outpatient and inpatient specialist services has been achieved. For all projects, the initial financing of the German Cancer Aid was extremely important, because contracts with health insurance funds were negotiated slowly, and could then be built on the experiences with the projects. Conclusion: The participants of the project-completion meeting emphasized the need to carry out a market analysis before starting palliative care organizations considering the different regional structures and target groups of patients. Education, training and continuing education programs contribute significantly to the network. A reliably funded coordination center/case management across all institutions is extremely important. © 2013 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Authors with CRIS profile

Christoph Ostgathe Department of Palliative Medicine

Involved external institutions

Universitätsklinikum Aachen (UKA) DE Germany (DE) CLARA Klinische Forschung DE Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Bonn DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Schmidt-Wolf, G., Elsner, F., Lindena, G., Hilgers, R.-D., Heussen, N., Rolke, R.,... Radbruch, L. (2013). Evaluation of 12 pilot projects to improve outpatient palliative care. Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift, 138(50), 2585-2591. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0033-1359858

MLA:

Schmidt-Wolf, G, et al. "Evaluation of 12 pilot projects to improve outpatient palliative care." Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift 138.50 (2013): 2585-2591.

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