Table 2 Overview of publisher (year), type of document, objective, and status for integration of rehabilitation in the context of palliative care in the official documents included in the analysis (n = 23)

Denmark

Danish Health Authority (2018)

Policy

To outline the responsibilities of the municipalities regarding rehabilitation.

No

Danish Health Authority (2018)

Care pathway

To describe recommended care pathways for rehabilitation and palliative care for cancer.

Yes

Rehabilitation Forum Denmark (2022)

White paper

To provide rehabilitation services and current challenges provided by and used by all stakeholders.

Yes

Danish Cancer Society (2021)

Report

To monitor the quality of rehabilitation services provided to cancer patients.

Yes

France

Haute Autorité de Sant (2002)

Guideline

These guidelines aim to guarantee the right to and access to palliative care.

Yes

Direction Générale d’ l’Offre de Soins (2023)

Strategy

This document is a policy guiding the further development and structuration of the palliative care offer across the state between 2024 and 2034.

Yes

Association française des Soins Oncologiques de Support (2013, 2018)

Guideline

To promote physical activity and rehabilitation in breast cancers all along the disease trajectory.

No

National Cancer Institute (2021)

Guideline

To define at a national level the organizational principles related to the implementation of the support care pathway for patients with cancer.

No

Haute Autorité de Santé (2019)

Guideline

To guide the promotion, consultation and prescription of physical activity and sport for health, including specific guidance for people with three most common cancers (breast, colon and prostate).

No

National Cancer Institute (2017)

Guideline

To summarize the data on physical activity benefits in cancer and provide guidelines on the integration of physical activity during and after cancer treatments.

No

Italy

Italian Association of Medical Oncology/ Italian Society of Palliative Care (2015)

Other (consensus)

To guide healthcare professionals to offer the most appropriate treatment pathway for patients with advanced cancer.

Yes

Permanent Conference for relations between the State, the Regions and the autonomous Provinces of Trento and Bolzano (2019)

Policy Directive

To revise the organizational guidelines and recommendations for the Oncology Network that integrates acute and post-acute hospital activity for the promotion and improvement of the quality, safety and appropriateness of supportive interventions.

Yes

Italian Ministry of Health (2019)

Official statement or declaration

To summaries the goals achieved and the critical issues that have emerged in the process of implementation and development of assistance networks in palliative care and pain therapy for adults and children, eight years after the entry into force of Law No. 38 of 15 March 2010.

Yes

Italian Ministry of Health (2021)

Policy

To ensure appropriate qualified palliative care and pain therapy for patient and his family for the period 2010–2020.

Yes

Norway

Ministry of Health and Care Services in Norway (2018)

Strategy

To provide directives for cancer care in Norway for the period 2018–2022.

Yes

Norwegian Cancer Society (2018)

Strategy

To work to prevent and fighting cancer as well as improving the quality of life for people with cancer and relatives.

No

Norwegian Directorate of Health (2019)

Guideline

To improve the treatment of patients with incurable cancers and a limited lifespan, and to ensure an equally good treatment offer throughout the country.

Yes

Norwegian Directorate of Health (2017)

Care Pathway

To ensure safe and proper conditions for those who have received a cancer diagnosis and that the need for follow-up beyond the cancer treatment itself is secured.

Yes

England and Scotland

NHS England (2019)

Strategy

To detail what is required by the National health Service towards 2029.

No

NHS England (2018)

Guideline

To provide practical advice and case studies to support Allied Health Professionals in Action.

Yes

The Scottish Government (2008)

Strategy

To set out the specific challenges for cancer care in Scotland as well as strategies for improvement.

No

National Institute for Clinical Excellence (2004)

Guideline

To guide how to improve the quality of supportive and palliative care for cancer patients.

Yes

NHS England (2022)

Strategy

To provide strategic direction to AHPs across England in the period 2022–2027 and help AHPs maximize their contribution to improve health outcomes for all, provide better quality care, and improve sustainability of health and care services.

No