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Organizational standards for specialist palliative care for adult patients: Recommendations of the Expert Group of National Consultants in Palliative Medicine and Palliative Care Nursing
, 2, 3, 4, 2, 5
Affiliations- Chair of Palliative Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Zielona Góra, ul. Zyty 28, 65-046 Zielona Góra, Poland
- Hospicjum im. św. Łazarza, ul. Fatimska 17, 31-831 Kraków, Poland
- Chair and Department of Palliative Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
- Department of Palliative Medicine and Care, Silesian Medical University, ul. Medyków 12, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
- Department of Palliative Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk
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Abstract
Introduction: The study aimed to develop organizational standards for specialist palliative care for adult
patients (OSSPCAP) in Poland.
Methods: The National Consultants in Palliative Medicine and Palliative Care Nursing appointed an Expert
Group consisting of three physicians — independent researchers, two nurses and a lawyer to develop
the OSSPCAP. The work was done in three stages. 1. Literature analysis (Scopus and PubMed databases)
and legislation on palliative care. 2. Questionnaire development using Google Forms and survey of
120 respondents in two rounds using the Delphi method. 3. Analysis of the results by the Expert Group
during remote meetings and determination of the final version of the OSSPCAP.
Results: The response rate in the first round of the survey was 71 (59.17%) and in the second 56 (46.67%).
The first round yielded 73 positive responses (at least 70% criterion) to 97 questions; the second round
yielded 21 positive responses to 31 questions. For the remaining ten questions, the Expert Group members
discussed the results obtained with at least 50% criterion of positive responses. The results of both rounds
were analyzed, and the final version of the document was accepted by all members of the Expert Group.
Conclusions: Palliative care was divided into two types (levels): palliative care elements (palliative care approach)
and specialist palliative care. In the latter home, inpatient and outpatient care was distinguished
with ensuring public funding for all their organizational units by the State, including the integration into the
guaranteed benefits. Requirements and procedures for all organizational units of specialist palliative care were
depicted. Three specialist inpatient palliative care referral levels were offered taking into account complexity of
services for patients, under- and postgraduate education. Principles of qualifying patients for palliative care,
the development of research and education in palliative medicine and palliative care nursing were presented.
Abstract
Introduction: The study aimed to develop organizational standards for specialist palliative care for adult
patients (OSSPCAP) in Poland.
Methods: The National Consultants in Palliative Medicine and Palliative Care Nursing appointed an Expert
Group consisting of three physicians — independent researchers, two nurses and a lawyer to develop
the OSSPCAP. The work was done in three stages. 1. Literature analysis (Scopus and PubMed databases)
and legislation on palliative care. 2. Questionnaire development using Google Forms and survey of
120 respondents in two rounds using the Delphi method. 3. Analysis of the results by the Expert Group
during remote meetings and determination of the final version of the OSSPCAP.
Results: The response rate in the first round of the survey was 71 (59.17%) and in the second 56 (46.67%).
The first round yielded 73 positive responses (at least 70% criterion) to 97 questions; the second round
yielded 21 positive responses to 31 questions. For the remaining ten questions, the Expert Group members
discussed the results obtained with at least 50% criterion of positive responses. The results of both rounds
were analyzed, and the final version of the document was accepted by all members of the Expert Group.
Conclusions: Palliative care was divided into two types (levels): palliative care elements (palliative care approach)
and specialist palliative care. In the latter home, inpatient and outpatient care was distinguished
with ensuring public funding for all their organizational units by the State, including the integration into the
guaranteed benefits. Requirements and procedures for all organizational units of specialist palliative care were
depicted. Three specialist inpatient palliative care referral levels were offered taking into account complexity of
services for patients, under- and postgraduate education. Principles of qualifying patients for palliative care,
the development of research and education in palliative medicine and palliative care nursing were presented.
Keywords
organization, palliative care, palliative care nursing, palliative medicine, standards
Supp./Additional Files (1)
About this articleTitle
Organizational standards for specialist palliative care for adult patients: Recommendations of the Expert Group of National Consultants in Palliative Medicine and Palliative Care Nursing
Journal
Palliative Medicine in Practice
Issue
Article type
Research paper
Pages
7-26
Published online
2021-12-30
Page views
6569
Article views/downloads
788
DOI
Bibliographic record
Palliat Med Pract 2022;16(1):7-26.
Keywords
organization
palliative care
palliative care nursing
palliative medicine
standards
Authors
Wojciech Leppert
Tomasz Grądalski
Aleksandra Kotlińska-Lemieszek
Izabela Kaptacz
Anna Białoń-Janusz
Leszek Pawłowski
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