Palliative care in public policy: results from a global survey

Clelland, D. , van Steijn, D., Whitelaw, S. , Connor, S., Centeno, C. and Clark, D. (2020) Palliative care in public policy: results from a global survey. Palliative Medicine Reports, 1(1), pp. 183-190. (doi: 10.1089/pmr.2020.0062) (PMID:32954376) (PMCID:PMC7497719)

Abstract

Background: Public policy has been a foundational component of the World Health Organization public health model for palliative care development since 1990. There is, however, limited evidence on the existence and character of palliative care policy at the country level. Objective: To identify, report on, and map the presence of national palliative care strategies, plans, legislation, and dedicated government resources in 198 countries. Design: An online survey generated 2017 data on indicators of national policy for palliative care. Subjects: In-country experts on palliative care. Measurements: The survey included specific questions on the existence and status of national strategies or plans, recognition of palliative care in national law, and dedicated government support. Results: Fifty-five countries have a national strategy or plan for palliative care of some sort, though levels of implementation vary. Forty-seven countries have some reference to palliative care in national law, and 24 have some form of stand-alone national law on palliative care provision or recognize it as a right in the constitution. Sixty-six countries have a dedicated section within government with responsibility for palliative care. Conclusions: There is a long way to go before palliative care around the world is universally supported by public policy intentions that will support its required development.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Clark, Professor David and Clelland, Dr David and Whitelaw, Dr Alexander
• Authors: Clelland, D., van Steijn, D., Whitelaw, S., Connor, S., Centeno, C., and Clark, D.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social & Environmental Sustainability
• Journal Name: Palliative Medicine Reports
• Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert
• ISSN: 2689-2820
• ISSN (Online): 2689-2820
• Published Online: 15 September 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 David Clelland et al.
• First Published: First published in Palliative Medicine Reports 1(1): 183-190
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
170345		Interventions at the end of life: social, historical and comparative analysis to promote global improvement.	David Clark	Wellcome Trust (WELLCOTR)	103319/Z/13/Z	IS - Interdisciplinary Studies