GPs and nurses need more end-of-life training
03 August 2009
More training and support would help GPs and nurses discuss with terminally-ill patients their preferred place of death, a study from the University of Warwick suggests.
By Joanne Elull
Researchers from the University of Warwick interviewed GPs and clinical and specialist nurses in 15 general practices across the UK.
Dr Dan Munday, associate clinical professor in palliative medicine, said that most interviewees reported that they did not find it easy to discuss where the patient wanted to die.
The recent publication of the DoH's End-of-Life Care Strategy for England has highlighted the importance of enabling patients to express end-of-life care preferences and recording these wishes in an advance care plan.
GPs and nurses explained how they balance these guidelines and an assessment of the propriety of discussing the issue with patients.
Dr Munday added: ‘Preferences for place of death frequently change over time and are often ill-defined in the patient's mind. We need more research to develop appropriate training and we need to better understand the importance of place of death to patients and their carers.'
He concluded that this uncertainty surrounding preferred place of death limits the extent to which whether patients get to die where they choose can be used as a measure of the effectiveness of palliative care.
- Do GPs and nurses need more end-of-life training?
More news from 3 August
GPs face £8,000 seniority pay clawback
Tories back NHS Alliance on Payment by Results reform
DoH launches measles vaccination roadshow
GMC launches online tutorials on ethical dilemmas
Additional Information
Latest jobs Jobs web feed
- Salaried GP The Practice plc £75-85k FTE +NHS pension, Ely or Leicester
- Regional Clinical Leads The Practice plc Salary £95-105k FTE + NHS pension, Leicester or Sheffield
- Salaried/Lead GPs Malling Health Competitive, role dependant, NHS Pension and defence fees reimbursed, Nationwide
- Locums GP Wolverhampton Pegasus Medical £70 per hour, Wolverhampton and West Midlands long term
- Locum GP Leeds and Surrounding Area Pegasus Medical £70 - £75 per hour, Leeds and Yorkshire long term
- Locums GP Walsall Pegasus Medical £70 per hour, Walsall and West Midlands long term
Most read
Most commented
MIMS Drug Search
Possible searches include drugs (by brand, generic ingredient or drug class), diseases and more.
