University of Regensburg Publication Server
Structures and objectives of day hospices – Design of a logic model
By Ulrich Kaiser, Ursula Vehling-Kaiser, Felix Kaiser and 4 others.
Abstract
Background
Day hospices represent a new component of outpatient palliative care in Germany. They focus on improving the quality of life and symptom control for patients with advanced, incurable diseases and aim to relieve the burden on family caregivers. However, a uniform theoretical framework for day hospices has not yet been established.
Methods
To develop a logic model for day hospices, data were obtained from a retrospective literature review and qualitative, semi-structured telephone interviews with 11 patients and 5 relatives. The logic model was developed by the author team using a nominal group process and subsequently cross-checked by five patients and two staff members of a day hospice.
Results
The final logic model comprised 18 categories and 105 program elements, organized into five pillars: resources, activities, output, outcome, and impact. It describes the functioning of a day hospice and its expected short- and long-term effects logically and coherently, based on key organizational, structural, and personnel requirements, as well as the services and interventions based on these requirements.