Managing Pain in Advanced Cancer: A Survey of United Kingdom General Practitioners and Community Nurses

ContextGeneral practitioners (GPs) and community nurses (CNs) have a central role in palliative care. With health policy focusing more and more on enabling patients to die at home, primary health care professionals are increasingly responsible for symptom management of patients near the end of life.Objectives1) To investigate GPs' and CNs' training and knowledge in palliative care and 2) to identify the characteristics of GPs and CNs with lower levels of palliative care knowledge.MethodsA postal questionnaire was sent to all GPs and CNs in two areas of the U.K. A panel of doctors and nurses with palliative care expertise rated the response categories with regard to correctness and questions with regard to importance for their professional group. These weightings were combined and applied to answers to assess knowledge levels.ResultsResponse rates were 54% and 35% for GPs and CNs, respectively. Respondents reported receiving training in most areas of palliative care throughout their careers, with the exceptions of syringe driver use and bereavement care. High levels of knowledge concerning pain management and syringe driver use were found, with no significant differences in the overall knowledge between the professions. Some important gaps were identified for future educational focus. Regression analyses did not identify characteristics that explained the variation in knowledge scores.ConclusionBoth groups had a high level of knowledge concerning key issues in pain management and syringe driver use that should equip them well for their central role in palliative care. Recommendations for the focus of future education sessions are made.