[Palliative care in primary care: the opinion of professionals].
OBJECTIVE
To find the views and attitudes of primary care professionals to the setting-up of a palliative treatments programme.


METHODS
A qualitative research study with discussion groups.


METHODS
Primary care.


METHODS
60 primary care professionals, 30 doctors and 30 nurses, selected at random and placed in 6 discussion groups.


RESULTS
Collection and analysis of the views expressed in the discussion groups. The professionals saw as problems: poor communication between levels of care, inadequate organisation and communication within the primary care teams and difficulties in obtaining opiates at pharmacy offices. Lack of training was not seen as a problem. The care organisation models suggested varied from those based on the first care level to those exclusively dependent on specialist units.


CONCLUSIONS
The proper development of palliative treatment is subject to various problems identified by the professionals. These have to be tackled before the programmes are set up.
Benítez del Rosario
M A
MA
Unidad de Cuidados Paliativos, C. H. La Candelaria y Gerencia de APS de Tenerife. mabenitez@comtf.es
Salinas Martín
A
A
Asensio Fraile
A
A
Armas
J
J
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D009020:Morphine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D011897:Random Allocation; D013030:Spain; D000078329:Workforce
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009020:Morphine