Palliative Care@Home

This project explores how telemedicine can enhance at-home palliative care and support families by fostering trust in digital tools and improving access to specialists.

Factsheet

  • Schools involved School of Health Professions
  • Institute(s) Nursing
  • Research unit(s) Field of Innovation – Psychosocial Health
  • Funding organisation BFH
  • Duration (planned) 01.01.2025 - 31.12.2025
  • Head of project Dr. Julia Rehsmann
    Maessen Maud
    Sabrina Gröble
  • Project staff Dr. Julia Rehsmann
    Laura Furrer
  • Partner Maessen Maud, Univers. Zentrum für Palliative Care, Inselspital Bern & ISPM, Uni Bern
    Steffen Eychmüller, Universitäres Zentrum für Palliative Care, Inselspital Bern
    Monica Fliedner, Universitäres Zentrum für Palliative Care, Inselspital Bern
  • Keywords Palliative care, care@home, telehealth, family carers

Situation

In palliative care, staying at home plays an important role - but this often depends on the support of family members. Acute health deterioration often leads to uncertainty and unnecessary hospital admissions. These could be avoided through rapid contact with specialists and proactive contingency planning. Trust and a sense of security are crucial for successful palliative care at home.

Course of action

Our project therefore focuses on the use of video consultations in outpatient Specialised Palliative Care (SPC). Video consultations not only reduce travel time, but also provide targeted support for patients with limited mobility. Family carers and patients are trained to use a digital communication tool in the clinical setting, which can then be used at home.

This project contributes to the following SDGs

  • 3: Good health and well-being
  • 10: Reduced inequalities