[From the hospice movement to palliative medicine].

The "modern" hospice movement was established at the beginning of the 1960s in Great Britain. Philosophical issues and a holistic treatment model have been emphasized in order to meet the physical, emotional, social and psychological needs of dying patients. Less time has been devoted to research. Several hospices now find themselves at crossroads. It is necessary to clarify key strategic goals. More patients will be in need of palliation in the next decades. A 35-40% increase in the incidence of cancer is predicted from now up to the year 2010. More knowledge must be obtained about patients with a limited life expectancy. The patients' needs will best be taken care of by incorporating a multidisciplinary team into the clinic. It is also important to increase the teaching about palliative medicine at medical school. The first unit of palliative has been established at the University Hospital, Trondheim. Similar clinics should be established at the other university hospitals in Norway.