Investigators
Susanne Claessen, MD
Michael A. Echteld, PhD
Prof. Luc Deliens, PhD
Prof Anneke Francke, PhD
Overview
Aim of this study is to gain insight into the palliative care
trajectory in primary care. More specifically, the project focuses
on early recognition of palliative needs in primary care: how much
time before patients’ death are palliative care needs recognized in
primary care? Which factors contribute to early recognition of
palliative care needs? Are there differences between cancer and
noncancer patients with respect to early recognition of palliative
care needs? How do primary care physicians recognise the palliative
phase and which barriers and facilitators do they identify for the
early recognition of palliative care needs?
Various methods are employed to answer these research questions:
data on the care up to three months before death are collected
through the general practitioners (GPs) connected to the national
network of sentinel GPs. In a representative sample of GPs, a
questionnaire survey was conducted. Lastly open interviews will be
conducted with GPs.