ORGANIZATION AND PATIENTS PERCEPTION OF PALLIATIVE CARE - A CROSS-CULTURAL-COMPARISON

The hospice model of care for patients with advanced diseases exists i n almost all industrialized countries. To date, there have been no int ernational or crosscultural comparisons of the organization and patien t outcomes associated with hospice services in different parts of the world. This survey evaluated 159 patients in the USA, Germany and Japa n. There were differences between countries in the time of first conta ct, who recommended palliative care first, the underlying diagnoses, t he location of patients, and how consent for hospice care was obtained . Across all countries, there were similar levels of comfort and satis faction with care. We conclude that the hospice philosophy addresses t he basic needs of dying patients which are independent of cultural bac kground, but may be adapted to very different cultures.