A comparative review of palliative care development in six countries represented by the Middle East Cancer Consortium (MECC)

Bingley, A. and Clark, D. (2009) A comparative review of palliative care development in six countries represented by the Middle East Cancer Consortium (MECC). Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 37(3), pp. 287-296. (doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2008.02.014)

[img]
Preview
Text
45372.pdf - Accepted Version

273kB

Abstract

Palliative care development and services were reviewed in the region represented by the six members of the Middle East Cancer Consortium: Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, and Turkey. The multimethod review synthesized evidence from ethnographic field visits to inpatient units, home care hospice teams and free-standing hospices, including interviews with hospice and palliative care clinicians, administrators, volunteers, policy makers and academic researchers. Public health data and relevant literature were collated together with internet-accessed information on services and health care systems. A total of 69 services were located; two country members have a history of relatively sustained development of hospice and palliative care, but provision across the Middle East Cancer Consortium region is highly variable at a local level. Considerable barriers to service development were identified in a region already struggling with many military and political conflicts. Key problems are a lack of secure funds and government support, inadequate professional training programs, opioid phobia in professionals and the public, and a lack of awareness and understanding of palliative care needs at public, government, and professional levels. Key areas for further attention were increasing national and international professional training and public education programs, improving opioid legislation and health care policies, negotiating for secure government or health insurance funding provision, raising awareness about the need for pediatric services and for patients with other illnesses, as well as for those with cancer, and working to integrate palliative care into mainstream health service provision and education.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in PUBLICATION, Journal of Pain and Symptom Management 37(3):287-296 March 2009 DOI:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2008.02.014
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Clark, Professor David
Authors: Bingley, A., and Clark, D.
Subjects:H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Social & Environmental Sustainability
Journal Name:Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
Publisher:Elsevier Inc.
ISSN:0885-3924
ISSN (Online):1873-6513
Published Online:28 September 2008
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2009 U.S. Cancer Pain Relief Committee
First Published:First published in Journal of Pain and Symptom Management 37(3):287-296
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record