The European Association for Palliative Care feels that it is important to contribute to informed public debates on these issues. Complete consensus seems to be unachievable due to incompatible normative frameworks that clash.

Professionals acknowledge errors-in particular errors in communication-to be a common and relevant problem in palliative care, one that has, however, been neglected in training and research.

Morphine emerged as the drug of first choice in this investigation, because it can be given parenterally and also because of its price. The use of subcutaneous and intravenous administration systems such as PCA pumps requires trained nursing services and regular house visits by physicians experienced in palliative medicine.