Knowledge and perceptions of a domiciliary hospice service among general practitioners and community nurses.

Within a single district health authority all the general practitioners and community registered general nurses were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding awareness and perceptions of a domiciliary hospice service. Responses were received from 127 doctors (71%) and 58 nurses (80%). Awareness of resources offered by the domiciliary hospice service was high, especially among the 102 respondents with access to the service. Eighty per cent or more of general practitioners and community nurses were satisfied with the amount of information received concerning changes in the patient's condition and who was involved in the care process. However, 33% of nurses agreed that it was difficult to know who had overall responsibility for the patient's care and 28% of nurses felt that their own contribution was under-rated. These findings were reinforced by a number of written statements submitted by the nurses. There was a desire expressed by both general practitioners and community nurses for more educational input from the domiciliary service. Overall, assistance from the service was welcomed and its special skills acknowledged. In the future planning of a comprehensive hospice service the differing needs expressed by doctors and nurses should be taken into account.