Management of patients in pain in palliative care by general practitioners (GPs)

Objective. - Make a point on patients in pain in palliative care by general practitioners to better understand their difficulties and desires. That is to target specific propositions to have better impact on their practice. Materials and methods. - This prospective quantitative study was carried out on a sample drawn from a pool of 74 GPs in Vienna in January 2010. The anonymous questionnary took up opioids use and GPs' difficulties and needs to take care of palliative patients. The results were compared to several previous studies. Results. - The participation rate is 55%. The majority of GPs have already worked with a pain or palliative care specialist. The prevailing difficulties are taking on other symptoms and giving psychological support to people around the patient. GP needs are in decreasing order: improving contact with hospital staff, facilitating inclusion in home care, increasing training programs and pain or palliative care consultations and improving the city-hospital network. Conclusion. - The essentials are attempting to raise awareness and training in palliative care which are appropriated GP practice. It is also essential to promote cooperation between GP and hospital staff and to develop networks and home care palliative services. (C) 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.