title: [Integration and utilization of physiotherapy in hospice and palliative care : A survey on clinical practice in Germany].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients with incurable and progressive illnesses; therefore, in these situations physiotherapy can play an important role.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was carried out to examine the integration and utilization of physiotherapy in palliative and hospice care services in Germany.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey including all palliative care units, specialized outpatient palliative care teams and hospices in Germany (n = 680) in 2013 was carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 43.5 % (n = 296). Physiotherapy is predominantly applied in palliative care units (79 %) but rarely in hospices (38 %) and outpatient palliative care teams (30 %). A structured physiotherapeutic assessment is rarely carried out even on palliative care units (26 %). Positive effects of physiotherapy are especially described for symptoms, such as edema, pain, constipation and dyspnea.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite its significant potential to relieve symptoms, physiotherapy is not systematically integrated into palliative care practice in Germany.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Arbeitsgruppe Palliativversorgung, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Deutschland.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Woitha
authors.affiliation: Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Arbeitsgruppe Palliativversorgung, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Deutschland. schneider.nils@mh-hannover.de.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.affiliation: Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Arbeitsgruppe Palliativversorgung, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Deutschland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wünsch
authors.affiliation: Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Arbeitsgruppe Palliativversorgung, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Deutschland.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wiese
authors.affiliation: Physiotherapie und Physikalische Therapie, Campus Kiel, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Kiel, Deutschland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fimm
authors.affiliation: Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Arbeitsgruppe Palliativversorgung, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Deutschland.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Müller-Mundt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000458:organization & administration; D017051:Hospice Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014600:Utilization Review
keywords: Health services research; Hospice care; Palliative care; Physiotherapy; Survey