The New Millennium Palliative Care Project (2000-2003): the impact of specialised GP advisors.
This study describes a novel type of support for GPs caring for patients dying at home: the establishment and evaluation of a telephone advisory service for GPs, run by GPs with a special interest in palliative care (GPwSIs) in the Netherlands 2000-2003. A growing number of GPs called for advice, 10% during out of hours. Prognosis of the patients was generally short (days to weeks in 70% of cases). Most advice sought by GPs concerned symptom management and on evaluation, 85% of the GPs followed the advice.
van Heest
Florien
F
Drenthe, Comprehensive Cancer Centre North-Netherlands, Groningen, the Netherlands. f.vanheest@ikn.nl
Finlay
Ilora
I
Otter
Renée
R
Jong
Betty Meyboom-de
BM
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003253:Consultants; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D015277:Hotlines; D006801:Humans; D009426:Netherlands; D010819:Physician's Role; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000379:methods*