The conditions under which palliative care networks operate in four Swiss cantons with different organisational forms will be analysed on the basis of existing data and documents. In addition, palliative care providers in these cantons will be interviewed in order to find out what factors hinder or promote collaboration and coordination and the impact on patients. A nationwide survey of palliative care providers in Switzerland will also be carried out. The aim, in addition to validating the qualitative results, will be to identify local, regional and national networks and best practice. On this basis, recommendations will be put forward for improving collaboration in palliative care and on successful network models.
Palliative care networks are based on the interaction of various interdependent players in the health system. As yet, neither collaboration nor coordination within these networks has been studied in Switzerland. Validated knowledge about successful models in this field is required in order to promote access to palliative care for the whole population and to avoid unnecessary hospitalisation.
The aim of the study is to analyse the collaboration and coordination of service providers both within primary palliative care and between this field and specialised palliative care. In addition, successful forms of local/regional care provision and the prerequisites for successful provision will be identified in consideration of their impact on patients.
The study will generate guidelines for collaboration and coordination in primary palliative care. It will formulate standards for regional palliative care networks and will highlight successful models. The results will assist policy makers in the Swiss health system in the task of optimising palliative care.
Coordination and collaboration in primary palliative care. Palliative care networks in Switzerland.
