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CACCC Medical Team China Visit
Gary Lee, M.D.
How would you answer this question: which country has a higher proportion of people over 65, the United States or China? Currently, about 18-20% of the population of both countries is over 60-65 years old, but China’s population is aging rapidly due to longer life expectancy and the effects of its one-child policy. By 2050, 40% of people in China will be 60 years old or older.
In addition, the incidence of cancer has been increasing in China. Almost 5 million new cancer cases were estimated to have occurred in 2022.
In addition, the incidence of cancer has been increasing in China. Almost 5 million new cancer cases were estimated to have occurred in 2022.
In response to these changes, the Chinese government has been actively promoting the development of hospice and palliative care. Government policy has explicitly stated the need to create the infrastructure for hospice care, improve health provider training, and expand public education.
Project HOPE is a US-based NGO that has worked in China since 1983, helping to modernize the country’s health services. From September 18-28, I was a member of a team of CACCC volunteers that was invited by Project HOPE in China to teach end-of-life care and to visit facilities providing hospice and palliative care services. The team included Dr. Esther Luo from Kaiser Santa Clara, Sandy Chen Stokes, RN, Nancy Chiang, RN, from UC Davis, Janet Lee, physical therapist, and myself, a palliative care/hospice physician.
All five of us were active in teaching portions of three professional training courses during the visit: the 7th Hubei Palliative Care Training of Trainers (TOT) course for nurses and the 1st training course for physicians in Wuhan; and the 1st Palliative Care TOT Training for Oncology Nurses in Beijing. In Wuhan, we visited the Wuhan University School of Nursing, Hubei Cancer Hospital, where we participated in a lively case discussion with the hospice team and received a tour of their palliative care clinic. In Beijing, we toured the inpatient hospice wards at Beijing Cancer Hospital, Beijing Shougang Hospital, and Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital. We also were hosted by Taikang Life Insurance Co., which has built retirement communities and provides end-of-life services including hospice care, funeral services, and memorial parks.
China is advancing rapidly in end-of-life care, but it is a large and diverse country. While top-notch education and services are available in large cities and tertiary care hospitals, there continues to be a great need for health professional education, training, and service expansion. It was a privilege to be able to contribute in a small way to the development of palliative care in China.
Project HOPE is a US-based NGO that has worked in China since 1983, helping to modernize the country’s health services. From September 18-28, I was a member of a team of CACCC volunteers that was invited by Project HOPE in China to teach end-of-life care and to visit facilities providing hospice and palliative care services. The team included Dr. Esther Luo from Kaiser Santa Clara, Sandy Chen Stokes, RN, Nancy Chiang, RN, from UC Davis, Janet Lee, physical therapist, and myself, a palliative care/hospice physician.
All five of us were active in teaching portions of three professional training courses during the visit: the 7th Hubei Palliative Care Training of Trainers (TOT) course for nurses and the 1st training course for physicians in Wuhan; and the 1st Palliative Care TOT Training for Oncology Nurses in Beijing. In Wuhan, we visited the Wuhan University School of Nursing, Hubei Cancer Hospital, where we participated in a lively case discussion with the hospice team and received a tour of their palliative care clinic. In Beijing, we toured the inpatient hospice wards at Beijing Cancer Hospital, Beijing Shougang Hospital, and Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital. We also were hosted by Taikang Life Insurance Co., which has built retirement communities and provides end-of-life services including hospice care, funeral services, and memorial parks.
China is advancing rapidly in end-of-life care, but it is a large and diverse country. While top-notch education and services are available in large cities and tertiary care hospitals, there continues to be a great need for health professional education, training, and service expansion. It was a privilege to be able to contribute in a small way to the development of palliative care in China.
Compassionate Column
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