Medication Policies in Final Phase of Life Face Scrutiny, Research Suggests
Amsterdam, Netherlands โข- Novemberโค 14, 2025 โข- New research indicates โคpotential for improvement in medication practices during the final stages of life, revealing a higher incidence โคof side effects linked to prescriptions. โThe study, a collaboration between Nivel and the Netherlands Palliative Care โขFoundation (PZNL), highlights the need for refined qualityโ indicators within palliative care.This comes as healthcare professionals increasingly focus on optimizing end-of-life care and minimizing patient discomfort.
The research builds upon the PZNL’s 2023 development of seventeen indicators designed to assess the quality of palliative care. One key indicator focuses specifically on medication prescriptionsโ given in a patient’s final days.โข According to De Man, a researcher involved in the study, these โfindings underscore the importance of carefully evaluating medicationโ regimens to balance symptom management with potential adverse reactions. The findingsโ are notably โrelevant as the โNational Palliative Care Programme II (NPPZ II) seeks to enhance standards โacross the โNetherlands.
The study’s results are intended to โขinform healthcare providers and policymakers, ultimately leading to more effective and compassionate end-of-life care for patients. Access โto the full research and ongoing discussions on best practices are available thru DOQ, a platform for knowledge sharing among healthcare professionals.