LYOL-C I

Last year of life study Cologne

The subproject LYOL-C examined the last year of life of patients in Cologne independent from their indication. The research focused on the health and social care pathways, transitions between different care Providers and the associated burdens for both patients and relatives. Possibilities for optimisation are shown, including the modification of of trajectories, transparency of transitions, increase of sustainability of care, reduction of burden for patients and relatives, and more efficient use of resources.
LYOL-C examined the last year of life of adult patients who died in Cologne, regardless of their indication. The research focused on the utilization of healthcare services, the transitions between the healthcare providers and the associated burdens for patients and relatives. Optimization potentials were identified, including changes in processes, the transparency of transitions, increasing the sustainability of healthcare, reducing the burdens on patients and relatives and using resources more efficiently.

Duration of the project: 02/2017 – 04/2020
Project funding: Federal Ministry of Education and Research


Secondary data analysis: Statutory Health Insurance (SHI) data from deceased patients in Cologne.

Survey with relatives: (n = 400) of deceased patients in Cologne via postal questionnaire.

Interviews with relatives: (n = 40-60) of deceased patients in Cologne via qualitative manual-based interviews.

Focus groups: (n = 3-5) with professionals participating in health and social care at the end of life.


Further information on LYOL-C is available at:


Prof. Dr. Christian Rietz
(Department of Curative Education, University of Cologne)

Dr. Dr. Julia Strupp
(Centre for palliative medicine, University Hospital Cologne)

Prof. Dr. Raymond Voltz
(Centre for palliative medicine, University Hospital Cologne)

Gloria Hanke
(Centre for palliative medicine, University Hospital Cologne)

Nicolas Schippel
(Centre for palliative medicine, University Hospital Cologne)

Ingo Meyer
(PMV research group)

Adriana Poppe
(PMV research group)