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Palliative care in Bulgarian general practice
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Abstract
Material and methods. The 42 GPs followed up a total of 211 patients, meeting the diagnostic criteria
for inclusion. A form was developed for the purposes of the study, reflecting the activities during the 625
consultation. The subjective opinion of the patient was also registered. The statistical processing of data
was made by a SPSS 17.
Results. The patients above 60 years of age predominated. The ratio by gender was balanced. The distribution
by diagnostic criteria was: oncological disease (87/41.28 ± 3.38%); chronic heart failure (CHF)
(65/30.80 ± 3.17%); chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (20/9.47 ± 2.01%) and combinations
(39/18,48 ± 2,67%). No significance was found between the referrals and the social and diagnostic
characteristics. Weak correlations were found between the lower level of education, the lower social status,
COPD patients and the greater frequency of home visits. Principal symptoms in our study were pain and
fatigue. Discrepancy between the evaluations of patients and GPs was found regarding the ones that are
subjective. In cases of oncological diseases the diagnosis and prognosis, were discussed more frequently
with the relatives.
Conclusion. Within the framework of their general obligations, GPs perform activities characteristic of
palliative care. The investigation of these activities and the analysis of the results can serve as a first step
in the formation of structured palliative care in our country.
Adv. Pall. Med. 2011; 10, 1: 17–22
Abstract
Material and methods. The 42 GPs followed up a total of 211 patients, meeting the diagnostic criteria
for inclusion. A form was developed for the purposes of the study, reflecting the activities during the 625
consultation. The subjective opinion of the patient was also registered. The statistical processing of data
was made by a SPSS 17.
Results. The patients above 60 years of age predominated. The ratio by gender was balanced. The distribution
by diagnostic criteria was: oncological disease (87/41.28 ± 3.38%); chronic heart failure (CHF)
(65/30.80 ± 3.17%); chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (20/9.47 ± 2.01%) and combinations
(39/18,48 ± 2,67%). No significance was found between the referrals and the social and diagnostic
characteristics. Weak correlations were found between the lower level of education, the lower social status,
COPD patients and the greater frequency of home visits. Principal symptoms in our study were pain and
fatigue. Discrepancy between the evaluations of patients and GPs was found regarding the ones that are
subjective. In cases of oncological diseases the diagnosis and prognosis, were discussed more frequently
with the relatives.
Conclusion. Within the framework of their general obligations, GPs perform activities characteristic of
palliative care. The investigation of these activities and the analysis of the results can serve as a first step
in the formation of structured palliative care in our country.
Adv. Pall. Med. 2011; 10, 1: 17–22
Keywords
palliative care; general practitioner; consultation
About this articleTitle
Palliative care in Bulgarian general practice
Journal
Advances in Palliative Medicine
Issue
Pages
17-22
Published online
2011-04-26
Page views
697
Article views/downloads
1068
Bibliographic record
Advances in Palliative Medicine 2011;10(1):17-22.
Keywords
palliative care
general practitioner
consultation
Authors
Gergana Hristeva Foreva
Maria Anastasova Semerdjieva
Radost Spiridonova Asenova
Lyubima Dimitrova Despotova-Toleva