The specialist palliative care team in Forlì, Italy

Abstract

A specialist palliative care team (SPCT) for the care of terminal cancer patients was established at Forli in 1986. Over the years, its staff and the patients cared for have been increasing in numbers up to the present levels of importance. For 12 years the service was supplied by a private institution, Istituto Oncologico Romagnolo (IOR). The National Health Service (NHS) has since stepped in and is now supplying home care directly, leaving the IOR with a cultural, supporting, role and with the promotion of volunteer recruitment. The care provided by the specialist group active in the patients' homes is integrated into the primary care provided by the family doctors. A plan is being realized to establish a palliative care unit (PCU) within the city hospital. The group has also been engaged in research for many years, giving special attention both to prognostic factors in very advanced cancer patients and to the organization and evaluation of the service costs. Moreover, two training courses in palliative care are organized biennially, one for all health workers in the region and one for volunteers co-operating with the medical teams.

Future of palliative medicine

“…[ 11 56 ] Even specialist palliative team care integrated into primary care provided by family doctor with close coordination between the two can be provided at home [ Figure 2 ]. [ 57 ] Such an approach can provide specialist medical interventions, equipment, and technical support at patient doorstep[ 58 ] Caregiver and bereavement support: It has been estimated that in Canada wellbeing five people is affected by each death. With a growing rate of death the caregiver population is projected to increase in the future.…”

“…[ 11 56 ] Even specialist palliative team care integrated into primary care provided by family doctor with close coordination between the two can be provided at home [ Figure 2 ]. [ 57 ] Such an approach can provide specialist medical interventions, equipment, and technical support at patient doorstep[ 58 ]…”