UICC World Cancer Congress 2006

Since 2001, pain relief and palliative care initiatives based on the WHO Public Health Model have been making a difference to patients and families living with advanced life-threatening illnesses, particularly cancer, in Jordan, Georgia and Mongolia.

This session will illustrate the four key components that need to be a part of any international strategy to incorporate palliative care into an existing healthcare system, including:

1) Changes to national health care policy that integrates palliative care into the overall National Health Plan and National Cancer Control Program, and change opioid prescribing regulations;

2) An increased national opioid quota, and improved access to opioids and other essential medication in the settings where patients receive care;

3) Education in the core competencies of palliative care for practicing physicians, nurses, clinical pharmacists, social workers, chaplains, volunteers and trainees at all professional schools; and expert-level training for selected physicians, nurses, social workers and chaplains wish to become organizational and national champions

4) Strategies to find champion/leaders and implement palliative care into existing healthcare organizations and the community.

Through specific case examples, I will illustrate what worked well, and specific challenges throughout this process.