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Vol 10, No 1 (2011)
Original articles
Published online: 2011-04-26
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Palliative care in Bulgarian general practice

Gergana Hristeva Foreva, Maria Anastasova Semerdjieva, Radost Spiridonova Asenova, Lyubima Dimitrova Despotova-Toleva
Advances in Palliative Medicine 2011;10(1):17-22.

open access

Vol 10, No 1 (2011)
Original articles
Published online: 2011-04-26

Abstract

Background. GPs in Bulgaria provide basic care to people with advanced disease; there is no legislative framework for palliative care. The aim of the study was to investigate the activities of the GPs involving patients who need palliative care.

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

Background. GPs in Bulgaria provide basic care to people with advanced disease; there is no legislative framework for palliative care. The aim of the study was to investigate the activities of the GPs involving patients who need palliative care.

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

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Keywords

palliative care; general practitioner; consultation

About this article
Title

Palliative care in Bulgarian general practice

Journal

Advances in Palliative Medicine

Issue

Vol 10, No 1 (2011)

Pages

17-22

Published online

2011-04-26

Page views

752

Article views/downloads

1127

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

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