Funder: German Cancer Aid (Stiftung Deutsche Krebshilfe)
Funding Reference: 70116493
Project Duration: November 1, 2024 – April 30, 2028
The German Cancer Aid (Deutsche Krebshilfe), considers the integration of oncological and palliative care expertise to be essential for ensuring the highest possible standard of care for seriously ill and dying cancer patients. In pursuit of this objective, the German Cancer Aid funds a project aimed at developing a scientifically grounded “best practice strategy” for the structured integration of general and specialized palliative care within Comprehensive Cancer Centers (CCCs) Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) and around it. This includes the incorporation of palliative care into the treatment process as well as into the research and teaching activities of the individual CCCs.
To this end, the Working Group on Palliative Medicine (AG Palliativmedizin) was established. It represents a collaborative association of all palliative care departments within the CCCs funded by the German Cancer Aid and is supported by the Coordination Office, which is also financed by the German Cancer Aid.
During the first project phase (2014–2017), the status of palliative care integration at each CCC was evaluated. Based on the results, standards were established—concerning the type, scope, and timing of palliative care involvement—quality indicators were tested, research questions and projects were developed, and educational concepts were formulated.
Key outputs include:
Best Practice Recommendations for the integration of palliative care within CCCs funded by the German Cancer Aid Best Practice Recommendations
Palliative Medicine Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) developed by the Working Group on Palliative Medicine Palliative Medicine SOPs
The second project phase (2017–2020) focused on the implementation of these Best Practice Recommendations, the implementation and evaluation of the jointly developed SOPs, the creation of a shared documentation system for the collection and analysis of quality indicators, and the development of a needs-oriented medical education and training program.
Greater consideration of family members in a CCC during the course of a serious oncological disease was the goal of the project's third phase (2020–2024). For the first time, the relationship between primary and palliative care at a CCC was also investigated. Creating a structured screening concept to determine palliative care needs was another area of focus. Furthermore, standards and procedures were established to guarantee excellent care during the final stages of life.
The fourth and ongoing project phase (2024–2028) seeks to further advance the integration of palliative care within the CCCs and their surrounding regions. Particular focus will be placed on oncology inpatient wards and primary oncological care (i.e., general palliative care). This is to be achieved by promoting a sustainable, bidirectional transfer of palliative care competencies between specialized and general palliative care services. Strategies for knowledge transfer will be developed and implemented not only for healthcare professionals across all care settings within the CCCs and their regions but also for the general public.
Publications (since 2014) in collaboration with members of the Working Group on Palliative Medicine and the Coordination Office
List of Publications
10 Years of the Working Group on Palliative Medicine within the Network of Comprehensive Cancer Centers
Palliative Medicine in Comprehensive Cancer Centers
Team Members:
- PD Dr. med. Susanne Gahr, Medical Specialist
- Dr. rer. biol. hum. Julia Berendt, Scientific Associate (resumed position in 2021)
- Martina Börner, Team Assistant – Organization, Administration, and Correspondence
Former Staff Members:
- Dr. med. Peter Stachura, Medical Specialist (until 2016)
- Marietta Müller, Medical Specialist (until 2017)
- Julia Berendt, M.Sc., Scientific Associate (until 2018)
- Sarah Brunner, M.Sc., Scientific Associate (until 2020)
- Ingrid Gheith, Organization, Administration, and Correspondence (until 2020)
