Objective: The department of Mayotte is lagging far behind in terms of access to palliative care. We present the methodological approach for assessing the palliative care needs of the population, which led us to make a proposal for a care offer adapted to the local context.
Method: The main principles of a public health methodology for health needs assessment were followed. The researchers carried out an overall analysis of the situation based on several axes: bibliographical research, collection of quantitative data, qualitative study, interviews with local experts and institutional decision-makers. A summary report of the results was presented to those working in the field at the end of the study in order to support proposals for the creation of a suitable palliative care offer.
Results: In view of the paucity of epidemiological data, the qualitative study was decisive in assessing needs. Exchanges with institutional decision-makers enabled a deeper understanding of local specificities and improved the relationship between local actors leading to the emergence of a co-construction process. In December 2019, a palliative care offer resulting from the study’s proposals was funded.
Conclusion: Our methodology was based on regular exchanges in the field and enabled us to encourage the emergence of a decisive element for the success of the project: the support of carers and institutional decision-makers. This co-construction between the partners allowed interactivity between the different categories of actors involved and reinforced the quality of the work and the emergence of a collective intelligence (study SP Mayotte).