Awareness of palliative medicine among Pakistani doctors: a survey.
OBJECTIVE
To establish the awareness of palliative medicine in Pakistani doctors through a questionnaire.


METHODS
A questionnaire was developed after consultation with the professionals working in palliative medicine. It was distributed, by hand, to a convenience sample of doctors who worked at various teaching hospitals in Pakistan. The distribution and collection of questionnaires was carried out within six months.


RESULTS
The results suggested that 74% doctors felt that cancer was the commonest reason for the palliative care teams to be involved. Forty five percent mentioned tht pain control was their prime job; 54% said that they had some experience of palliative medicine; 64% wanted to be involved in palliative medicine; 60% thought that they broke bad news properly to the patients; 59% were satisfied with their own performance while dealing with an incurable patient (57% said that they had heard about a hospice). There was a wide range of drugs for the cancer pain.


CONCLUSIONS
Amongst Pakistani doctors, there is a lack of training in palliative medicine. A significant number of doctors are interested and they are willing to have more training in pain control, breaking bad news, communication skills and terminal care.
Abbas
S Q
SQ
St. Clare Hospice, Hastingwood, United Kingdom.
Muhammad
S R
SR
Mubeen
S M
SM
Abbas
S Z
SZ
D001364:Awareness; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004501:Education, Medical; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D010154:Pakistan; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires