Evaluation of the expansion of the PACE end-of-life care programme (PACE)

Description

Background

Since 2014, the association PACE Sterbebegleitung has offered complementary palliative care overnight companionship in collaboration with the City of Zurich's Gesundheitszentren für das Alter (GFA, health centers for the elderly). This service, provided by volunteer companions, has become well established, with around 400 overnight deployments annually. It provides emotional support, security and dignity to seriously ill and dying people during the night.

Project objective 

This evaluation aims to document the expansion of the service, exploring in particular how the night-shift companions and other involved groups experienced it and what has changed as a result. The findings will enable the PACE Sterbebegleitung association to assess the expansion's strengths and weaknesses and respond to them effectively.

Method 

The qualitative evaluation uses various data sources and analysis methods. Annual reports, handwritten reports from companions, and minutes will be analysed, and qualitative individual and group interviews will be conducted. Additionally, the growth in the number of companions is tracked statistically over time.

Key data