[Pain experience and pain therapy of tumor patients in the view of general practitioners].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study presented in this paper is to find out how general practitioners evaluate their cancer patients' health, quality of life and type and extent of pain. In addition the study aims to get information about the training in pain therapy and palliative medicine.


METHODS
A representative sample of 440 of all Austrian general practitioners was interviewed via a standardized questionnaire. The consent for the questioning had been obtained by telephone.


RESULTS
The state of health and quality of life of the treated cancer patients are described as little satisfying and most unfavourably affected by the disease. The physicians suppose that the patients experience pain more intense than could be expected of them as endurable. Nevertheless the cancer patients appreciate pain therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
As a result the medical training in pain therapy and palliative medicine should be improved. At the same time the future general practitioners should gain psychological competences, which would consequently provide them with a broad spectrum of treatment needed when dealing with pain patients (suffering from cancer).
Studiengang Gesundheits- und Pflegemanagement, Fachhochschule Kärnten. h.janig@fh-kaernten.at
H
H
Janig
W
W
Pipam
S
S
Lastin
R
R
Sittl
G
G
Bernatzky
R
R
Likar
D000328:Adult; D001317:Austria; D005194:Family Practice; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D059408:Pain Management; D010821:Physicians, Family; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires