Redefining diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) for palliative care - a cross-sectional study in two German centres.

Background: Hospital costs and cost drivers in palliative care are poorly analysed. It remains unknown whether current German Diagnosis-Related Groups, mainly relying on main diagnosis or procedure, reproduce costs adequately. The aim of this study was therefore to analyse costs and reimbursement for inpatient palliative care and to identify relevant cost drivers.

'Palliative sedation'? A retrospective cohort study on the use and labelling of continuously administered sedatives on a palliative care unit.

Background: Sedatives are frequently used towards the end of life. However, there is scarce information when their use is labelled as 'palliative sedation'.

Aim: To assess the use and labelling of 'continuous administration of sedatives within the last 7 days of life', based on objective operational criteria, on a palliative care unit.

Barriers for the implementation of guidelines in palliative care-results from a national survey of professionals.

Background: In 2015, an evidence- and consensus-based palliative care guideline in adults with incurable cancer was published by the German Guideline Program. Barriers and enablers for the guideline implementation of members of the German Association for Palliative Medicine (DGP) were unknown. Therefore, the aims of this study were (1) to evaluate professionals' knowledge, motivation, and outcome expectancy towards already existing recommendations for palliative care and (2) to evaluate the self-experienced competence in five medical key topics presented in the new guideline.

Care of cancer patients at the end of life in a German university hospital: A retrospective observational study from 2014.

Background: Cancer care including aggressive treatment procedures during the last phase of life in patients with incurable cancer has increasingly come under scrutiny, while integrating specialist palliative care at an early stage is regarded as indication for high quality end-of-life patient care.

Aim: To describe the demographic and clinical characteristics and the medical care provided at the end of life of cancer patients who died in a German university hospital.

Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study on the basis of anonymized hospital data for cancer patients who died in the Munich University Hospital in 2014.

Critical attitudes and beliefs towards guidelines amongst palliative care professionals - results from a national survey.

Background: Little is known about palliative care professionals' attitudes towards guidelines. In 2015, the German Association for Palliative Medicine (DGP) published an evidence based guideline for palliative care in adults with incurable cancer. Before publication we conducted a national survey among members of the DGP to detect possible barriers and facilitators for its implementation.