Research Introduction - Liz McDermott
The aim of World Hospice and Palliative Care Day (‘World Day’) was to raise awareness of the need for hospice and palliative care across the world. The International Observatory on End of Life Care was asked by Help the Hospices (www.helpthehospices.org.uk) to evaluate the first ever World Hospice and Palliative Care Day. The purpose of the evaluation was to: measure the impact of World Day on hospice and palliative care around the world; and to identify and describe events and activities that had been particularly successful. The final report can be obtained from here.
Research method
Aims
1. To measure the impact of World Hospice and Palliative Care Day (World Day) against its three stated aims:
- To increase the availability of hospice and palliative care throughout the world
- To raise awareness and understanding of the need for palliative care
- To raise funds to support and develop hospice and palliative care services around the world - particularly through Voices for Hospices events
2. To identify and describe events and activities that have been particularly successful
- What events were organised, where and by whom?
- Who participated in these events?
- Did any state officials participate in WHPC day events?
- What press and media coverage was generated – nationally and internationally?
- What messages of support were received from and by whom?
- Where and in what context were statements presented to government officials or policy makers?
- Do you think your events increased awareness of the need for hospice and palliative care day?
How was awareness raised? (among local people, health professionals, government, state or district officials) - Where, how, by whom and in what amounts were funds raised through World Day?
- Can the day be seen to have had any impact on national health care programmes and health policies?
- Has the day had any impact of officials’ understanding of hospice and palliative care?
- Has the day opened channels of communication e.g. concerning the need for opioid analgesics, health professional training?
- In what ways has the day impacted at the country or local area level e.g. enquiries about volunteering, new interest from health professionals, new campaigns, new service developments or training?
- eQuestionnaire – globally distributed
- Face-to-face interviews with key people who actively organised during WHPC Day
- Case studies (identification and analysis of successful events)
- Systematic analysis and synthesis of web-based materials
As part of the evaluation process, an electronic questionnaire was circulated throughout global hospice and palliative care networks asking individuals and organisations about their experiences and views of World Day. The opinions and experiences of people who actively organised for the day are very important. The questionnaire was available in English, Spanish, French, Chinese and Portuguese The results of the questionnaire were included in an evaluation report at the end of January 2006 and will be used to help plan future World Days.
- A Full evaluation report
- Article for an international palliative care journal
- Summary of findings on IOELC website
Research partners
This work was funded through a grant from Help the Hospices.
