Palliative care practices in Germany's health system

Abstract

Although the discipline of palliative care is new, it has rapidly gained its place in other areas of medicine. The most important reason for its fast development is that the provision of the necessary care and treatment for incurable patients has acquired increasing importance today. Palliative care considers that dying is a natural process of life. The main aim of palliative care services is to support both the patients and their family during the patient's life and after their death. Support with respect to possible physical and emotional problems should also be offered. Developed countries like Germany have made important progress with regard to palliative care applications. If palliative care models implemented in such countries become known in our country, it will aid their easier integration into the health care system and also facilitate the process for health professionals. For this purpose, palliative care offered in Germany and its application into the health care system are introduced in this review. © 2012 Association of Oncology.