Study Finds Large Regional Gaps In End-of-life Care Across Sweden

Researchers person studied developments since nan preamble of 'National knowledge support for bully palliative attraction astatine nan extremity of life' successful 2013. Their findings show that contempt nationalist palliative attraction policy, location are important differences successful position of what type of healthcare work group utilize end-of-life care. This applies to some children and adults and depends not only connected diseases aliases age, but besides to a precocious grade connected wherever they live.

"Our studies item very analyzable challenges," says Cecilia Larsdotter, Professor successful Health Care Sciences astatine Sophiahemmet University.

Most Swedish group wish to beryllium cared for and dice astatine home. The reality is different and only 1 successful 5 group do so. Instead, hospitals and nursing homes are nan ascendant attraction places for nan organization to dice in.

Unequal conditions crossed nan country

"If nan variations we person identified bespeak different attraction preferences for group successful different regions, past that's not a problem," says Professor of Nursing Joakim öhlén from nan University of Gothenburg's Centre for Person-centred Care and Sahlgrenska University Hospital's Palliative Centre. "But we person bully logic to judge that it is much a matter of unequal conditions."

The researchers emphasise that person-centred palliative care, particularly for older people, needs to beryllium be systematically implemented and integrated pinch some attraction for older people, superior attraction and infirmary care.

Fortunately, nan number of children and young group who dice is only small. However, children person circumstantial needs and challenges that requires competence successful paediatric palliative attraction and entree to resources.

"The organisation of palliative attraction for children needs to beryllium developed further," adds Stefan Nilsson, a professor of nursing astatine nan University of Gothenburg and nan Children's Cancer Centre astatine Queen Silvia Children's Hospital.

Enhanced monitoring and guidance

Research shows that nan existing nationalist argumentation are often vague and that regions and municipalities whitethorn take to opt retired of them. As a result, nan prioritisation of palliative attraction - which, according to nan Swedish Health and Medical Services Act, should beryllium nan highest privilege - is not ever implemented successful practice.

The investigation squad is now proposing a bid of reforms. For example, they want palliative attraction to beryllium recognised arsenic a nationalist wellness interest astatine nationalist level, successful statement pinch nan WHO recommendations, and for follow-up and guidance for municipalities and regions to beryllium reinforced.

"It's important - and clear - that palliative attraction should beryllium prioritised," Stina Nyblom concludes, subordinate professor astatine nan University of Gothenburg, and advisor successful palliative medicine astatine Sahlgrenska University Hospital's Palliative Centre. "But nan problem is really to execute this. It needs to beryllium concretised, some successful position of early integrated and end-of-life palliative care."