BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to identify the general practitioner's perception of educational needs in palliative care. METHOD: A qualitative study with focus groups was performed. RESULTS: General practitioners estimate palliative care as an important and valuable part of primary care. Nevertheless, they consider their coordinating role as a course with increasing obstacles. Pain, nausea, dysphagia, delirium, insomnia, anxiety, and depression were mentioned frequently as symptoms difficult to deal with in palliative care. Also, psychosocial issues such as communication, bereavement, and defense mechanisms were subject to discussion in the focus groups. Ethical issues such as euthanasia were mentioned as the most complex subject in palliative care. CONCLUSIONS: General practitioners experience difficulties with their coordinating role in palliative care. With more basic knowledge and skills in communication, but also with consultation, their roles as coordinators of palliative care in primary care will improve. Reflection and deepening of ethical values are necessary conditions for an optimal functioning.
BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to identify the general practitioner's perception of educational needs in palliative care. METHOD: A qualitative study with focus groups was performed. RESULTS: General practitioners estimate palliative care as an important and valuable part of primary care. Nevertheless, they consider their coordinating role as a course with increasing obstacles. Pain, nausea, dysphagia, delirium, insomnia, anxiety, and depression were mentioned frequently as symptoms difficult to deal with in palliative care. Also, psychosocial issues such as communication, bereavement, and defense mechanisms were subject to discussion in the focus groups. Ethical issues such as euthanasia were mentioned as the most complex subject in palliative care. CONCLUSIONS: General practitioners experience difficulties with their coordinating role in palliative care. With more basic knowledge and skills in communication, but also with consultation, their roles as coordinators of palliative care in primary care will improve. Reflection and deepening of ethical values are necessary conditions for an optimal functioning.
Authors: Willemjan Slort; Annette H Blankenstein; Bernardina S Wanrooij; Henriëtte E van der Horst; Luc Deliens Journal: BMC Palliat Care Date: 2012-06-27 Impact factor: 3.234
Authors: Bregje Thoonsen; Kris Vissers; S Verhagen; J Prins; H Bor; C van Weel; M Groot; Y Engels Journal: BMC Fam Pract Date: 2015-09-22 Impact factor: 2.497
Authors: Peter Pype; Wim Peersman; Johan Wens; Ann Stes; Bart Van den Eynden; Myriam Deveugele Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2014-11-07 Impact factor: 2.655
Authors: Patrick D Hoek; Henk J Schers; Ewald M Bronkhorst; Kris C P Vissers; Jeroen G J Hasselaar Journal: BMC Med Date: 2017-06-19 Impact factor: 8.775
Authors: Peter Pype; Linda Symons; Johan Wens; Bart Van den Eynden; Ann Stes; Myriam Deveugele Journal: BMC Fam Pract Date: 2014-02-19 Impact factor: 2.497
Authors: Saber Azami-Aghdash; Morteza Ghojazadeh; Mir Hossein Aghaei; Mohammad Naghavi-Behzad; Zoleikha Asgarlo Journal: Indian J Palliat Care Date: 2015 Sep-Dec