Two studies awarded the DGP Prize for Palliative Medicine

04.10.2022 13:23

At the 14th Congress of the German Society for Palliative Medicine (DGP), DGP President Prof. Dr. Claudia Bausewein awarded this year's award, consisting of two equal first prizes. Jury President Prof. Dr. Roman Rolke acknowledged the two papers, which – despite methodological and thematic differences – were equally awarded: "The award for both papers demonstrates the broad spectrum of research and highlights two relevant and essential research areas in palliative care, specifically the effectiveness of SAPV and the handling of death wishes in palliative care."

The multidisciplinary jury decided to award the following works based on content, scientific and formal evaluation criteria:

First prize:
Cordula Gebel, Dr. Judith Rothaug, Isabel Kruschel, Dr. Thomas Lehmann, Maximiliane Jansky, Prof. Dr. Friedemann Nauck, Dr. Antje Freytag, Anna Bauer, Sabine H. Krauss, Prof. Dr. Werner Schneider, Cornelia Nageler, Prof. Dr. Winfried Meißner, PD Dr. Ulrich Wedding – Symptom progression, quality of care, and satisfaction with specialized outpatient palliative care (SAPV) from the patient perspective: a nationwide prospective longitudinal study

The study focuses on symptom progression, quality of care, and satisfaction in SAPV from the patient perspective, thus addressing a relevant and previously under-researched topic. The study is a Germany-wide, prospective, multicenter study with an exciting and innovative approach and demonstrates high methodological competence. Particularly noteworthy is the combination of surveys and instrument development, as well as the involvement of numerous SAPV teams. The methodological presentation as well as the scientific discussion of the study's strengths and limitations are extremely successful, transparent, and reflective.

First prize:
Dr. rer. medic. Kerstin Kremeike, Kathleen Boström M. Sc., Christine Preiser MA, Thomas Dojan, M. Sc. BA, Prof. Dr. med. Raymond Voltz – Desire to die: How does the patients' chorus sound?

The study and its research questions are highly relevant and timely. The study addresses a current sociopolitical issue and makes a significant contribution to the debate surrounding legal regulations in the context of suicide prevention and assisted suicide. The study has the potential to influence and sustainably shape current discourse. The study and its findings are presented in an interesting, innovative, modern, and original manner, and are published at a high level. The affected individuals themselves are not given a voice; rather, caregivers are used as mediators. Their perceptions can provide helpful implications for practice. The study can contribute to raising awareness of language and linguistic diversity in palliative care.

At the award ceremony, Prof. Dr. Claudia Bausewein emphasized the fundamental importance of targeted outcome measurement in palliative care research: "Systematic results from the patient perspective are particularly essential. The two award-winning scientific papers make an important contribution to this at a high level and in different ways."

To promote clinical research, the German Society for Palliative Medicine (DG Palliative Medicine) has been awarding the "Palliative Medicine Award" at its annual meetings since 1999 – since 2019, using its own funds. The award winners are selected by a panel of experts. The €6,000 prize is awarded annually.