title: Integrating palliative care in public health: the Colombian experience following an international pain policy fellowship.
abstract: Access to palliative care is insufficient in many countries around the world. In an effort to improve access to palliative care services and treatments, a public health approach as suggested by the World Health Organization was implemented in Colombia to improve opioid availability, increase awareness and competences about palliative care for healthcare workers, and to include palliative care as a component of care in legislation. As a result, opioid availability has improved, a mandatory palliative care course for medical undergraduate students has been implemented and a palliative care law is being discussed in the Senate. This article describes the strategy, main achievements and suggestions for implementing similar initiatives in developing countries.
authors.affiliation: Universidad de la Sabana, Pain and Palliative Care Unit, Autopista Norte Km 21, Campus Puente del Comun, Chia, Columbia.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leon
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Florez
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Lima
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ryan
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D003105:Colombia; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003906:Developing Countries; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006291:Health Policy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011635:Public Health Administration
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid