In December 2024, a group of palliative care specialists from Kazakhstan completed a two-week internship in Sweden. Organised by INTAMT e.V., this internship was hosted by leading Swedish healthcare institutions, where the Kazakh specialists observed and participated in daily palliative care practices under the guidance of experienced Swedish clinicians. The programme focused on Sweden’s unique approaches to palliative medicine and care, allowing the visiting specialists to learn firsthand about the principles and techniques that make Sweden a global leader in this field.
Sweden’s Unique Strengths in Palliative Care
Sweden is internationally recognised for its high-quality palliative care and innovative practices. Key aspects of the Swedish approach include:
Patient-centred care: Swedish palliative services emphasise individualised care plans, shared decision-making, and respect for patient preferences. Patients and their families are actively involved in decisions, ensuring that treatment aligns with the patient’s values and needs.
Multidisciplinary teamwork: Care is delivered by coordinated teams of doctors, nurses, social workers, therapists and other professionals working in unison to address the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients. This collaborative approach ensures comprehensive support for patients and their families.
Community integration: Sweden has an extensive network of palliative care that extends beyond hospitals. Specialised home care teams and hospice services enable patients to receive high-quality care in their own communities. This integration ensures continuity of care and support for patients throughout the end-of-life journey.
Internship Highlights and Knowledge Exchange
During the internship, the Kazakh specialists visited several Swedish palliative care units at hospitals and hospice centres. They observed patient consultations, interdisciplinary team meetings, home care visits, and community outreach programmes. Through these activities, the interns gained valuable insights into how Swedish institutions implement patient-centred practices and maintain seamless collaboration across disciplines and care settings.
The Swedish hosts – including university hospital palliative wards and non-profit hospice organisations – openly shared their protocols, expertise, and innovations, fostering a rich exchange of knowledge. This two-way knowledge exchange was mutually beneficial. The Kazakh specialists deepened their understanding of advanced palliative care methods and can now compare and adapt these best practices within Kazakhstan’s healthcare context. In turn, they shared their perspectives on the development of palliative care services in Kazakhstan, creating a dialogue that enriched both sides.
This two-way knowledge exchange was mutually beneficial. The Kazakh specialists deepened their understanding of advanced palliative care methods and can now compare and adapt these best practices within Kazakhstan’s healthcare context. In turn, they shared their perspectives on the development of palliative care services in Kazakhstan, creating a dialogue that enriched both sides.
The successful internship underlines the importance of international collaboration in healthcare and highlights how shared learning can help improve palliative care for patients and families across borders.
