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Palliative Medicine: Barriers and Developments in Mainland China

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Abstract

The development of palliative care in China is vital to the care of its aging population and associated increase in cancer incidence. There are physician-related and population-related barriers which impede palliative care development. The first institute for hospice care was established in Tianjin. Community hospices (Ning Yang Yuan) have been established by the Li Ka Shing Foundation. Academic centers such as the one in Chengdu associated with Sichuan University have partnered with the World Health Organization to establish centers of excellence to both develop and teach palliative care to physicians in training and practice. The National Hospice Service Program has developed five principles to the practice of palliative care in China.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Palliative Medicine, West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China

    Jinxiang Li

  2. Department of Solid Tumor, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Mellar P. Davis

  3. The Harry R. Horvitz Center for Palliative Medicine and Supportive Oncology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Pamela Gamier

Authors
  1. Jinxiang Li
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  2. Mellar P. Davis
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  3. Pamela Gamier
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Correspondence to Mellar P. Davis.

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Li, J., Davis, M.P. & Gamier, P. Palliative Medicine: Barriers and Developments in Mainland China. Curr Oncol Rep 13, 290–294 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-011-0169-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-011-0169-9

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