How Many Patient Deaths Can a Team Cope With? A Nationwide Survey of Palliative Care Units in Germany

Background Howmany patient deaths the teams at palliative care units can cope with, the supporting factors in coping and the future prospects of the teams have not yet been subject to research in Germany. The aim of the study was to assess burden factors, burden symptoms and protective factors, the critical number and distribution of patient deaths as well as the prospects of the teams. Sample and Methods A total of 873 members of palliative care teams from 95 (60% of n=158) German palliative care units took part in this explorative evaluation. Basic factors could be identified using factor analysis. Differences between professional groups were checked with analysis of variance. Results Results showed that not having reached the objectives of palliative care was the central burden factor. In the majority of cases a team reacted by being loquacious. The team itself was ranked as the most important protective factor. The mean critical number of deaths was 4.4 per week. Consecutive patient deaths were rated as being significantly more stressful than evenly spread deaths. Ratings for the future prospects of the team were significantly lower in teams where not meeting the objectives of palliative care was considered a high burden factor. Conclusion A clearer definition of the objectives of palliative care and support of team communication are desirable.