Library
APS Bulletin • Volume 18, Number 2, 2008
Resource Reviews
John D. Loeser, MD, Department Editor
European Association of Palliative Care Atlas of Palliative Care in Europe
Reviewed by Stuart Farber, MD
Carlos Centeno et al. Milan, International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care Press, 2007. Soft cover, 335 pages, ISBN 0-9758525-5-8.
In 2003 the European Association of Palliative Care (EAPC) established a task force to examine the development of palliative care (PC) in Europe. In 2007 this task force published the Atlas of Palliative Care in Europe, an impressive atlas describing the results of their efforts. The final product contains a multidimensional description of important benchmarks that allow for the assessment of where each individual country stands in the development of PC services and infrastructure. The atlas also provides a way to compare each country, learn from the varied experiences, and identify key contacts and resources. The information is expressed in a variety of ways including visual maps, narrative tables, published articles, and statistical tables that provide a rich context for understanding the present state of affairs in each country as well as Europe as a whole. The collaborative effort, led by EAPC but supported by multiple other agencies, was clearly a monumental task, but well worth the effort. The atlas allows the reader to learn of the important issues facing PC, comparative benchmarks to measure progress, and key contacts to further explore issues of common interest.
Examples of topics covered in this multifaceted report include:
- names of key contacts, contact information, and institutional affiliation
- number of services (input/output/community)
- levels of development (based on five point scale)
- provision of specialist PC beds
- estimation of physicians working full time in PC
- countries with national PC organizations and articles published on the development of PC in each country
- average number of participants at the EAPC General Congress each year
- major achievements
- major challenges
- three most commonly prescribed opioids and their monthly cost.
For anyone interested in immersing himself or herself in the ongoing development of PC in Europe (this includes Western, Central, and Eastern Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the former Soviet Union, as well as Israel), I heartily recommend reading the Atlas. It is available in two forms: book (335 pages), and CD-book (45 printed pages and CD). The information provided is invaluable and easily accessible through the engaging graphics and multiple visual and written presentations. It is worthwhile asking the question if a similar project should be undertaken to assess how the United States, Canada, and other nearby countries (Mexico and countries in Central and South America) would compare to our European neighbors. The information gained would certainly help disseminate the successes and challenges we all face in the ongoing task of developing PC throughout the world.
Dr. Farber is Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine, and Director, Palliative Care Consult Service, UWMC at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle.
