Integrating palliative care into national health systems in Africa: a multi-country intervention study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The WHO is calling for the integration of palliative care in all health care settings globally.

Methods

A 3.5-year program was implemented in 12 government hospitals, three each in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia. A four-pillared approach of advocacy, staff training, service delivery strengthening and international and regional partnership working was utilized. A baseline assessment was undertaken to ascertain needs, and 27 indicators were agreed to guide and evaluate the intervention. Data were also collected through surveys, interviews and focus groups.

Results

Palliative care was integrated into all 12 hospital settings to various degrees through concurrent interventions of these four approaches. Overall, 218 advocacy activities were undertaken and 4153

SUBMITTER: Grant L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5475315 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature