Project Publications

Based on empirical research and summary of our experience, the Dying and Palliative Care in the CR (situation, reflections, prospects) report was prepared and published in May 2004 as part of the Project. The report attempted to describe the current state of care for the incurable and dying in the Czech Republic and to identify the main weaknesses of this care.

A team of authors followed up the report with many publications aiming at further development of quality care for the dying in the Czech Republic. While using Recommendation Rec (2003) 24 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe "On Organisation of Palliative Care" and analyses of foreign palliative care models and being aware of the huge challenge to our society to learn "Respect for Human Dignity" we submit our "Draft of Palliative Care Policy in the Czech Republic" and "Education in Palliative Care" model. Based on our experience from operating the home hospice and bearing in mind the necessity to develop field care for the dying we submit the "Home Palliative Care Standards" for discussion.

Publications issued within the frame of the Project:

Dying and Palliative Care in the CR (situation, reflections, prospects)

Research report and critical issues of the development of palliative care in the Czech Republic

The report includes an analysis of epidemiological data on dying, a public opinion research, an opinion poll performed in selected groups of inhabitants, a "focus group" research among health care professionals, education programmes mapping, a questionnaire survey of current providers of palliative bed care in the Czech republic, a description of a home care hospice pilot projects and, based on data collected, it defines areas decisive for further improvement of palliative care in the Czech Republic.

 

On Organisation of Palliative Care

Recommendation Rec (2003) 24 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to the member states

An essential document of European significance emphasizing palliative care as an enormously important part of the system of health care services; it defines basic terms of palliative care, summarises experience from many countries and recommends provisions necessary for further development of palliative care on an international level and for the establishment of national palliative care frameworks in the EU member states. A detailed explanatory report is considered to be a highly valuable part of the document.

 

Palliative Care Policy in the Czech Republic

Draft

A draft of palliative care policy in the Czech Republic is based on the hitherto experience with delivering palliative care both abroad and in the Czech Republic. It sets up concisely further targets for general and special palliative care, determines the needed legislative and organisational changes and recommends next steps necessary to implement the required development.

 

Education in Palliative Care

Draft of training programmes designed for university and graduate education of physicians

The draft is a result of long-term experience and extensive discussions. Its origin can be found in Switzerland, but it is very well applicable also under the Czech conditions. The curricula with explanatory notes divide lucidly the education of physicians and other university graduates specialising in palliative care in several levels: a university level for students of medicine and health and social care departments, a general graduate level and a specialised graduate level for palliative professionals.

 

Home Palliative Care Standards

Draft of basic standards applicable to special palliative home care

The draft is based on similar standards used in the countries with an advanced network of home care hospices and on more than two-year experience from the work of The Homecoming home  care hospice. The document defines a field palliative care policy, describes necessary basic organisational structures and procedures and it can be used by those who intend to found and operate home care hospices in the Czech Republic.

 

Respect for Human Dignity

A guide for professional training, education and training of students in medical, health care and health and social care schools and universities

A flexible training document useful for all professionals specialising in health and social care was prepared as part of the "Dignity and older Europeans" study. Professionally collected, assessed and discussed documents from six European countries represent a unique set of insights, model situations, topics and questions apt for education and training in all types of medical and health and social care schools.

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