Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42087143›Full record

ArticleBMC palliative care2026

A complex intervention to support the use of sedative drugs in specialist palliative care: results from the iSedPall pilot study.

Christoph Ostgathe, Claudia Bausewein, Eva Schildmann, Maria Heckel, Saskia Kauzner, Carsten Klein, Stefanie Kolmhuber-Seibold, Sabine H Krauss, Alexander Kremling, Beatrice Odierna and 6 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC palliative care, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

16 authors.

Christoph Ostgathe *Department of Palliative Medicine, CCC Erlangen - EMN, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.
Claudia Bausewein *Department of Palliative Medicine, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Eva Schildmann *Department of Palliative Medicine, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Maria HeckelDepartment of Palliative Medicine, CCC Erlangen - EMN, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.
Saskia KauznerDepartment of Palliative Medicine, CCC Erlangen - EMN, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany. saskia.kauzner@uk-erlangen.de.
Carsten KleinDepartment of Palliative Medicine, CCC Erlangen - EMN, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.
Stefanie Kolmhuber-SeiboldDepartment of Palliative Medicine, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Sabine H KraussDepartment of Palliative Medicine, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Alexander KremlingInstitute for History and Ethics of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany.
Beatrice OdiernaDepartment of Palliative Medicine, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Constanze RémiDepartment of Palliative Medicine, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Manuela SchneiderDepartment of Palliative Medicine, CCC Erlangen - EMN, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.
Andreas SeifertPaderborn Centre for Educational Research and Teacher Education - PLAZ Professional School, Paderborn University, Paderborn, Germany.
Kerstin ZieglerDepartment of Criminal Law, Criminal Procedural Law, Commercial Criminal Law and Medical Criminal Law, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.
Christian Jäger *Department of Criminal Law, Criminal Procedural Law, Commercial Criminal Law and Medical Criminal Law, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.
Jan Schildmann *Institute for History and Ethics of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundInternational studies show intentional sedation to relieve suffering to be a common and relevant treatment in specialist palliative care. The EAPC framework for using sedative drugs has currently been updated and national recommendations have been disseminated. However, there was a lack of hands-on materials targeted for healthcare professionals and of information materials for patients and informal caregivers to ensure patient-centred care. The iSedPall study group developed a complex intervention to further support the use of sedative drugs in specialist palliative care. The following pilot study aimed at examining the feasibility of the intervention being applied in different settings and by different professions.

methodsA sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was applied between 02/23 and 01/24. An online survey (pre-post-test) assessed quantitative data on the feasibility of the outcome indicator `confidence in professional skills`, primary feasibility outcomes, and the implementation process. Focus groups added to the quantitative results. Four specialist palliative care services (inpatient and home care) piloted the intervention for nine months.

resultsGlobal mean scores of primary feasibility outcomes proved the intervention as acceptable, appropriate, and feasible for inpatient and home care settings. The outcome indicator seems to be adequate for measuring changes in healthcare professionals` confidence, especially for physicians. The relevance of the intervention, its impact on practice, and the implementation process have been judged heterogeneously. Promoting (e.g., personal exchange, educational materials) and inhibiting factors (e.g., lack of time and technical resources) for implementation have been stated.

conclusionsAn implementation study would benefit from adaptations regarding the intervention, study design, and implementation strategy. Especially the nursing perspective has to be considered to a greater extent for strengthening the palliative care approach. Context-specific factors seem to play a key role in implementation. Therefore, training of in-group champions, considering local technical and personal resources, and actively engaging the team could mitigate potential barriers and foster the success. Our findings will inform a full-scale implementation study to further explore the use of the intervention by healthcare professionals in clinical practice.

trial registrationThe study was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS-ID: DRKS00027241; Date of registration: 10/12/2021; https://www.drks.de/drks_web/setLocale_EN.do ).

Indexed as

Hypnotics and SedativesPalliative CareAdultFemaleFocus GroupsHumansMaleMiddle AgedPilot ProjectsSurveys and QuestionnairesHypnotics and SedativesComplex interventionFeasibilityMixed-methodsPalliative careSedative drugs

Identifiers

PMID42087143
PMCPMC13147889

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.