FP Report -- September 1998 Survey responses address end-of-life care
The June FP Report mini-survey, "How do you feel about end-of-life care?" yielded interesting responses from a small number of family practice residents, practicing family physicians and retired doctors.
Although the sample was far from scientific, the comments were insightful. All practicing respondents said they talk to patients about their wishes for end-of-life care, but the quality of care for the dying in respondents' communities ranged from excellent to poor, with equal distribution along the continuum.
One new physician expressed frustration that his community had no hospice facility, while another respondent sent news of a residency program adding a hospice rotation.
Respondents called on the Academy to continue providing end-of-life information to members through journal articles, videos and patient education materials.
The AAFP should practice "active vigilance regarding how managed care and insurance issues are beginning to make hospice care more difficult," said one respondent.
Call (800) 926-6890, fax (816) 822-8372 or send an e-mail to meetinginfo@aafp.org for information on symposia registration.
FP Report is published by the AAFP News Department. Copyright © 1998 by American Academy of Family Physicians.
FP Report | Headlines |AAFP Home | Search