Table 3.
Components of the WHO 2002 PC Definition as Rated by Members of the Expert Group (N = 38) Phase 1 (Percentages)
| Component | Stays As Is | Needs Revision | Delete |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approach | 47.2 | 52.8 | 0 |
| Improves the quality of life | 77.8 | 22.2 | 0 |
| Patients and their families | 70.1 | 29.9 | 0 |
| Problems associated with life-threatening illness | 27.8 | 72.2 | 0 |
| Prevention and relief of suffering | 70.1 | 29.92 | 0 |
| Early identification of pain | 75 | 16.7 | 8.3 |
| Impeccable assessment of pain | 33.3 | 61.1 | 5.6 |
| Treatment of pain | 66.7 | 25 | 8.3 |
| Early identification of physical problems | 66.7 | 22.2 | 11.1 |
| Impeccable assessment of physical problems | 33.3 | 61.1 | 5.6 |
| Treatment of physical problems | 52.8 | 36.1 | 11.1 |
| Early identification of psychosocial problems | 50 | 36.1 | 13.9 |
| Impeccable assessment of psychosocial problems | 30.6 | 58.3 | 11.1 |
| Treatment of psychosocial problems | 38.9 | 50 | 11.1 |
| Early identification of spiritual problems | 58.3 | 27.8 | 13.9 |
| Impeccable assessment of spiritual problems | 30.6 | 55.6 | 13.8 |
| Treatment of spiritual problems | 30.6 | 52.8 | 16.6 |
| Provides relief from pain | 80.6 | 11.1 | 8.3 |
| Provides relief from other distressing symptoms | 77.8 | 13.9 | 8.3 |
| Affirms life and regards dying as a normal process | 75 | 19.4 | 5.6 |
| Intends neither to hasten or postpone death | 72.3 | 19.4 | 8.3 |
| Integrates the psychological aspects of patient care | 77.8 | 16.7 | 5.5 |
| Integrates the spiritual aspects of patient care | 77.8 | 16.6 | 5.6 |
| Offers a support system to help patients live as actively as possible until death | 72.2 | 25 | 2.8 |
| Offers a support system to help the family cope during the patient’s illness and in their own bereavement | 72.2 | 22.2 | 5.6 |
| Uses a team approach to address the needs of patients and their families | 55.6 | 41.6 | 2.8 |
| including bereavement counseling, if indicated | 63.9 | 22.2 | 13.9 |
| will enhance quality of life | 70 | 25 | 5 |
| and may also positively influence the course of illness | 77.8 | 13.9 | 8.3 |
| is applicable early in the course of illness | 72.2 | 27.8 | 0 |
| in conjunction with other therapies that are intended to prolong life such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy | 16.6 | 77.8 | 5.6 |
| and includes those investigations needed to better understand and manage distressing clinical complications2 | 70 | 19.1 | 10.9 |
| Additional Items Missing and Suggested by the Core Group | Include | Include With Revision | Do Not Include |
| Access to controlled medicines for pain relief and PC | 80.6 | 19.4 | 0 |
| PC also includes the management of acute pain (i.e., after trauma) | 11.1 | 2.8 | 86.1 |
| PC also includes the management of chronic pain in non-life-threatening diseases and conditions | 22.2 | 2.8 | 75 |
| PC services should also be available to children, older persons, and vulnerable populations | 88.9 | 8.3 | 2.8 |
| Applicable to special vulnerable population groups, including refugees and disaster victims, LBGT, and prisoners2 | 27.8 | 27.8 | 44.4 |
WHO = World Health Organization; PC = palliative care; LBGT = lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender.
In bold: Components that reached ≥70% consensus.
Note: The option do not know/not sure was never selected.