In 2002 the WHO broadened the defnition
of palliative care in acknowledgment that it
should be applied as early as possible in any
chronic or life-threatening illness, and not only
to patients not responsive to curative therapy
(Sepúlveda et al, 2002). Sepúlveda et al (2002)
referred to a new understanding that the
problems that may cause patients diffculties
at a late stage, such as pain, should be treated
at onset. Palliative care services have increased
across Europe, and there is a move toward
offering generalist palliative care in primary
care or in care homes for older people (Hall
et al, 2011). In Norway, specialist and community
public health care services are separate. Highly
specialised palliative care is provided at
university hospitals, whereas general palliative
care is provided in the community/municipalities
(Strømskag, 2012).