Development of a national strategy for palliative care

Abstract

Introduction: In 2020, the Danish National Audit Office (Rigsrevisionen) criticised the Danish palliative care (PC) provision. The Board of the Danish Association for Palliative Medicine (DSPaM) recognised an urgent need for a national strategy to improve PC in Denmark. The Board wished to develop a strategy which ensured acceptance and legitimation internationally and within the DSPaM. The aim of this study was to describe the development of the DSPaM 'National strategy of palliative care for patients with life-threatening diseases'.

Methods: The Cicely Saunders International (CSI) action plan, 'You matter because you are you, an action plan for better palliative care,' seemed applicable because of its extensive, evidence-based content. A thorough translation and cultural adaptation were followed by group discussions and a Delphi process among DSPaM members.

Results: The Delphi process underwent eight editions before the final version was approved by the DSPaM Board in January 2024. A total of 36% of the members participated in the group discussions in January 2022. The response rates were 43% in the first and 62.8% in the second survey, with a final average member agreement of 92.7%. The main differences were that the CSI action plan mentions COVID-19 pandemic and patient empowerment, whereas the Danish strategy document refers to socially vulnerable patients.

Conclusions: A Danish strategy document for PC was developed through a Delphi process involving the DSPaM members. The Danish strategy document was approved by a large majority of DSPaM members, thus providing a solid ground for a common national strategy for PC in Denmark.

Funding: None.

Trial registration: Not relevant.