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BMC Palliative Care
Published in: BMC Palliative Care 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research article

The size of the population potentially in need of palliative care in Germany - an estimation based on death registration data

Authors: Nadine Scholten, Anna Lena Günther, Holger Pfaff, Ute Karbach

Published in: BMC Palliative Care | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Background

No data exist on the size of the population potentially in need of palliative care in Germany. The aim of this study is to estimate the size of the German population that may benefit from palliative care.

Method

Based on existing population-based methods (Rosenwax and Murtagh), German death registration data were analyzed and contrasted with international results. The data include all death cases in 2013 in Germany.

Results

According to the method Rosenwax defined, between 40.7 % (minimal estimate) and 96.1 % (maximal estimate) of death cases could benefit from palliative care. The estimation, based on Murtagh’s refined method, results in 78.0 % of death cases potentially being eligible for palliative care. The percentage of potential palliative care candidates is conditioned by age. Based on the Murtagh Method, in the age category between 30 and 39 years, a potential demand for palliative care can be found for 40.4 % percent of all deaths occurring in this age category, with this number increasing to 80.3 % in the age bracket of 80 years and over.

Conclusion

An estimation of the size of the population in need is essential for healthcare planning. Therefore, our data serve as a guide and starting point for further research.
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Metadata
Title
The size of the population potentially in need of palliative care in Germany - an estimation based on death registration data
Authors
Nadine Scholten
Anna Lena Günther
Holger Pfaff
Ute Karbach
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Palliative Care / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1472-684X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-016-0099-2

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