title: [The current state, the possibilities and difficulties of palliative and hospice care in Hungary].
abstract: Hospice-palliative care has existed in Hungary for more than 20 years but physicians know very little about it. The objective of the study is to give detailed practical information about the possibilities and the reasonability of hospice care and the process of how to have access to it. The authors review and analyze the database of the national Hospice-Palliative Association database to provide most recent national data on hospice-palliative care. In addition, legal, financial and educational issues are also discussed. At present there are 90 active hospice providers in Hungary, which provide service for more than 8000 terminally ill cancer patients. According to WHO recommendations there would be a need for much more service providers, institutional supply and more beds. There are also problems concerning the attitude and, therefore, patients are admitted into hospice care too late. Hospice care is often confused with chronic or nursing care due to lack of information. The situation may be improved with proper forms of education such as palliative licence and compulsory, 40-hour palliative training for residents. The authors conclude that a broad dissemination of data may help to overcome misbeliefs concerning hospice and raise awareness concerning death and dying.
authors.affiliation: Semmelweis Egyetem, Általános Orvostudományi Kar Magatartástudományi Intézet Budapest Nagyvárad tér 4. 1089.
authors.forename: Katalin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hegedűs
authors.affiliation: Pécsi Tudományegyetem, Általános Orvostudományi Kar Klinikai Központ, Klinikai Palliatív Konzultációs Mobil Team Pécs.
authors.forename: Miklós
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lukács
authors.affiliation: Gondoskodás 2000 Kft. Budapest.
authors.forename: Judit
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schaffer
authors.affiliation: Pécsi Tudományegyetem, Általános Orvostudományi Kar Családorvostani Intézet, Hospice-Palliatív Tanszék Pécs.
authors.forename: Agnes
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Csikós
mesh_terms: D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000592:standards; D018575:Home Care Services, Hospital-Based / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D017051:Hospice Care / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D006738:Hospices / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary; D033181:Information Dissemination; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000592:standards; D009369:Neoplasms; D009819:Office Visits; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D010820:Physicians / Q000592:standards; D012017:Referral and Consultation
keywords: cancer patients; daganatos betegek; dying; end-of-life care; haldoklás; hospice; palliative care; palliatív ellátás; quality of life; terminal care; terminális állapot; életminőség; életvégi ellátás