The experience of palliative work in a palliative consultancy service in Westfalen-Lippe

THE EXPERIENCE OF PALLIATIVE WORK IN A PALLIATIVE CONSULTANCY SERVICE IN WESTFALEN-LIPPE: Background: In Westfalen-Lippe there has been a care concept for 8 years which does not insitutionalize general and specialized outpatient palliative care (AAPV and SAPV), which integrates the family doctor in a prominent position and orientates the service density to the changing needs of patients and their relatives (palliative medical consultancy service Iserlohn-Letmathe network, PKD NIL). The new Federal Framework Agreement (SAPV) emphasizes a nationwide, basically uniform structure in Germany. Existing regional structures are being put to the test.

Exploratory qualitative research was carried out. Using semi-structured, guided expert interviews, PKD NIL employees were asked how they experience their everyday work. Data from 17 people were evaluated.

Teamwork and cooperation in the network are experienced positively by everyone working in the PKD NIL. The concept is based on the family doctor, holistic care is carried out. Cooperation with individual professional groups who are critical of the cooperation with the PKD NIL, cooperation with other PKDs, communication with relatives and those affected, the shortage of skilled workers, as well as the concern of upheaval due to the framework agreement on the SAPV in Germany are challenging.

The research gives an insight into the experience of working in the PKD NIL. However, further studies are necessary in order to be able to make comparisons and to be able to assess whether improved palliative care can really be achieved in Germany.