Population’s Potential Accessibility to Specialized Palliative Care Services: A Comparative Study in Three European Countries

Danny van Steijn, Juan José Pons Izquierdo, Eduardo Garralda Domezain, Miguel Antonio Sánchez-Cárdenas and Carlos Centeno Cortés
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Danny van Steijn: ATLANTES Research Group, Institute for Culture and Society, University of Navarra, 31009 Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
Juan José Pons Izquierdo: ATLANTES Research Group, Institute for Culture and Society, University of Navarra, 31009 Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
Eduardo Garralda Domezain: ATLANTES Research Group, Institute for Culture and Society, University of Navarra, 31009 Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
Miguel Antonio Sánchez-Cárdenas: ATLANTES Research Group, Institute for Culture and Society, University of Navarra, 31009 Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
Carlos Centeno Cortés: ATLANTES Research Group, Institute for Culture and Society, University of Navarra, 31009 Pamplona, Navarra, Spain

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 19, 1-14

Abstract: Background: Palliative care is a priority for health systems worldwide, yet equity in access remains unknown. To shed light on this issue, this study compares populations’ driving time to specialized palliative care services in three countries: Ireland, Spain, and Switzerland. Methods: Network analysis of the population’s driving time to services according to geolocated palliative care services using Geographical Information System (GIS). Percentage of the population living within a 30-min driving time, between 30 and 60 minutes, and over 60 min were calculated. Results: The percentage of the population living less than thirty minutes away from the nearest palliative care provider varies among Ireland (84%), Spain (79%), and Switzerland (95%). Percentages of the population over an hour away from services were 1.87% in Spain, 0.58% in Ireland, and 0.51% in Switzerland. Conclusion: Inequities in access to specialized palliative care are noticeable amongst countries, with implications also at the sub-national level.

Keywords: palliative care; geographical accessibility; equity; Europe (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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