Family Physicians’ Perspectives on Their Role in Palliative Care: A Double Focus Group in Portugal

Carlos Seiça Cardoso, Filipe Prazeres, Beatriz Xavier and Bárbara Gomes
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Carlos Seiça Cardoso: Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-370 Coimbra, Portugal
Filipe Prazeres: CINTESIS—Center for Health Technology and Services Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
Beatriz Xavier: Health Sciences Research Unit: Nursing (UICISA: E), Nursing School of Coimbra (ESEnfC), 3046-851 Coimbra, Portugal
Bárbara Gomes: Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-370 Coimbra, Portugal

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 14, 1-12

Abstract: Background: Aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the provision of palliative care for patients with palliative care needs emerges as a necessity more than ever. Most are managed in primary care by their family physicians (FP). This study aimed to understand the perspectives of specialist and trainee FPs about their role in palliative care. Methods: we conducted a double focus-group study consisting of two separate online focus-groups, one with FP specialists ( n = 9) and one with FP trainees ( n = 10). Results: FPs already gather two fundamental skills for the provision of palliative care: the capacity to identify patients’ needs beyond physical symptoms and the recognition that the patient belongs to a familiar, psychosocial, and even spiritual environment. They perceive their role in palliative care to be four-fold: early identification of patients with palliative care needs, initial treatment, symptom management, and patient advocacy. Participants recognized the need for palliative care training and provided suggestions for training programs. Conclusion: FPs share a holistic approach and identify multiple roles they can play in palliative care, from screening to care and advocacy. Organizational barriers must be addressed. Short training programs that combine theory, practice, and experiential learning may further the potential for FPs to contribute to palliative care.

Keywords: primary care; palliative care; training program; focus group online (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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