[Development and prospects of hospice palliative care in Taiwan]

Hospice palliative care is an approach to healthcare that integrates high technology and highly humanized care. Service, education, and policymaking are the three critical areas of focus in the development of this specialty of care. Under hospice palliative care, holistic, high quality services covering in-patient care, homecare, and shared care are provided for terminally ill patients and their families. Healthcare team members must be taught not only knowledge but also skills and attitudes that reflect their responsibilities and level of competence. General public education is important also. Regulations and relevant policies have been implemented by Department of Health (DOH) since 1995. The Natural Death Act was legislated in 2000. Members of Healthcare team concerned regarding the proper development of hospice palliative care in Taiwan have organized to, "do the right things and do things right." The future vision of hospice palliative care embraces: 1. Expanding services to other life threatening illness such as terminal liver, renal, respiratory and heart diseases; 2. Securing appropriate DOH supervision and funds; 3. Developing a care model appropriate to the needs of Taiwan's culture; 4. Expanding the limits of service models; 5. Integrating services and enhancing expertise among those charged with delivering services, conducting research, and education; 6. Integration into the long term care system and enhancing quality.