Palliative care in Japan--current status and future

摘要

This review paper identifies the current challenges in palliative care in Japan and proposes multiple areas to be improved in future, including respect for the individuality of patients and families, early referrals to specialized palliative care service, availability of medical treatments in specialized palliative care facilities, quality control of specialized palliative care systems, establishment of regional palliative care programs, dissemination of education programs at the various levels, and organizing a multicenter research network.