Palliative care training: a survey among physicians in Australia and Europe

Tore Nilstun, Lund University
Rurik Lofmard, Uppsala Universitet
Freddy Mortier, Ghent University
G Bosshard, University of Zurich
Colleen M. Cartwright, Southern Cross University
Agnes van der Heide, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam
Michael Norup, Institute of Public Health University, Copenhagen
Lorenzo Simonato, University of Padova
Bregje D. Onwuteaka-Philipsen, Vrije University

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present data about the level and background characteristics of physicians' training in palliative care in Australia (AU), Belgium (BE), Denmark (DK), Italy (IT), the Netherlands (NL), Sweden (SE) and Switzerland (CH) (n=16,486). The response rate to an anonymous questionnaire differed between countries (39%-68%). In most countries approximately half of all responding physicians had any formal training in palliative care (median: 3-10 days). Exceptions were NL (78%) and IT (35%). The most common type of training was a postgraduate course. Physicians in nursing home medicine (only in NL), geriatrics, oncology (not in NL), and general practice had the most training. In all seven countries, physicians with such training discussed options for palliative care and options to forgo life-sustaining treatment more often with their patients than did physicians without. Irrespective of earlier palliative care training, 87%-98% of the physicians wanted extended training.